Where Service Came Alive

A New Rotarian’s Journey Into Maternal and Child Health at Okuru-Ama

As a newly inducted Rotarian, I had heard the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self,” many times. It was always inspiring, but on Thursday, 9th July 2026, at the Model Primary Health Care Centre in Okuru-Ama, Port Harcourt, I finally experienced what those words truly meant.

This Maternal and Child Health Project, organized as the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA’s pre-installation service activity, marked my very first opportunity to participate in a Rotary community project. It quickly became an unforgettable introduction to Rotary in action.

Rolling Up Our Sleeves

When I arrived, members were already hard at work. There was no formal ceremony yet—just people rolling up their sleeves, unpacking cartons, assembling medical equipment, lifting hospital furniture, and ensuring everything was ready for presentation.

Nobody was too important to work. Past and present presidents, senior Rotarians, and newly inducted members all worked side by side with one shared purpose: to improve healthcare for mothers and newborns.

Transforming Healthcare Access

Watching the equipment being assembled was deeply impressive. Delivery beds, examination couches, infant weighing scales, privacy screens, diagnostic instruments, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors gradually transformed the space into a better-equipped, functional healthcare facility. Every item represented a tangible piece of hope for safer childbirth and elevated maternal care.

What struck me most was the sheer power of teamwork. There were no spectators; everyone found a role:

Coordinating logistics and transport
Handling the installation of heavy furniture
Inspecting medical instruments with the facility staff

The atmosphere remained filled with enthusiasm, laughter, and genuine fellowship, yet everyone stayed intensely focused on the mission at hand.

A Lesson in Servant Leadership

Interacting with fellow Rotarians made me realize that Rotary is far more than weekly meetings and networking. It is about identifying a real need and responding with practical solutions that create a lasting impact. Seeing the appreciation on the faces of the local healthcare workers reminded me that the greatest gifts are measured not in money, but in the lives they help save.

For me, this project was much more than a simple donation exercise—it was an eye-opening lesson in servant leadership. I left the health centre feeling profoundly proud to wear the Rotary badge, knowing I am now part of an organization whose impact lives in meaningful action.

As my Rotary journey begins, I could not ask for a better first experience. If this project is any reflection of what Rotary stands for, I am more than excited for the opportunities ahead to serve, learn, grow, and make a difference.