As DRFC last year, one of my key responsibilities was fundraising for The Rotary Foundation (TRF). As I engaged clubs and Rotarians across the district, I came to an important realization: many Rotarians simply did not have enough information about The Rotary Foundation, its impact, and the difference their individual contributions can make. As DRFC last year, one of my key responsibilities was fundraising for The Rotary Foundation (TRF). As I engaged clubs and Rotarians across the district, I came to an important realization: many Rotarians simply did not have enough information about The Rotary Foundation, its impact, and the difference their individual contributions can make.
“I am Sweet 16.
I am a hummingbird.
I do what I can.
I fund The Rotary Foundation.”
— Patrick Muchemi, DRFC, D9216
Sweet 16 is more than a name. It is becoming a movement.
The name was coined last year by Joan, then a President-Elect and now President of Rotary Club of Ruiru, during our PETS. Our District Governor, Esayas, embraced it—and it has since become a rallying call for our district.
As DRFC last year, one of my key responsibilities was fundraising for The Rotary Foundation (TRF). As I engaged clubs and Rotarians across the district, I came to an important realization: many Rotarians simply did not have enough information about The Rotary Foundation, its impact, and the difference their individual contributions can make.
Perhaps, for some, the issue was not unwillingness to give. Perhaps they simply had not yet connected their contribution to the bigger Rotary story.
This year, our team decided to change the approach.
Rather than simply asking Rotarians to give, we want to reach every one of our 1,500 Rotarians and 900 Rotaractors with the story of TRF—and give every individual the opportunity to say, “I will do what I can.”
The Hummingbird
The inspiration came from a story shared by our Nobel Peace Laureate, the late Professor Wangari Maathai.
One day, a forest caught fire. The animals fled to safety and stood at a distance, watching helplessly as the flames consumed their home.
Among them was a tiny hummingbird.
The hummingbird noticed a pond nearby. It flew to the pond, collected a tiny drop of water in its beak, and flew back towards the fire, releasing the water onto the flames.
It returned again.
And again.
And again.
The other animals watched for some time. Finally, one of the larger animals, somewhat sarcastically, asked:
“What do you think you are doing? What difference do you think those tiny drops of water can possibly make?”
The hummingbird stopped and replied:
“I am doing what I can.”
That simple response captures what we believe about Rotary.
Not everyone can make a large contribution. Not everyone can fund an entire project. But everyone can do something.
We can give through Every Rotarian, Every Year. We can become Sustaining Members.
We can become Paul Harris Fellows.
We can support the Annual Fund, PolioPlus and the Endowment. There is a role for every one of us.
And when thousands of Rotarians each do what they can, those individual drops become a powerful force for good.
From a Story to a Rallying Call
From this story, which I have shared at several club meetings when speaking about TRF and our responsibility to support our Foundation, came our rallying call:
I am Sweet 16.
I am a hummingbird.
I do what I can.
I fund The Rotary Foundation!
This message has now moved beyond the meeting room and into the digital world.
A Rotaractor in our district, Lenny — RAC Syokimau, developed an app that allows every club member to register their TRF giving pledge. Once registered, the member receives a personalised congratulatory card carrying the hummingbird message.
Members then share their cards on social media and WhatsApp, creating a visible and growing movement across District 9216.
The Early Response
We tested the app with a few clubs for one week.
Four days ago, our District Governor, Esayas, officially launched the initiative at an online district meeting.
The response has been encouraging.
In just four days, 11% of our Rotarians have already made pledges totalling more than US$70,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
But this is only the beginning.
Our immediate goal is to have the majority of Rotarians in District 9216 make a pledge by the end of this month.
Then comes the next important phase: redemption.
A pledge is a commitment. Redemption is where that commitment becomes a contribution—and where the contribution becomes the clean water project, the maternal health programme, the scholarship, the disease prevention programme or the many other ways Rotary serves communities around the world.
The Potential of Sweet 16
This is an exciting time for D9216.
Our ambition is not simply to raise US$300,000.
Our ambition is to ensure that every Rotarian understands The Rotary Foundation, understands the impact it creates, and has the opportunity to participate.
If every one of us becomes a hummingbird and does what we can, the collective impact can be extraordinary.
There is enormous potential within D9216—Kenya, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Sweet 16 is about unlocking that potential.
One Rotarian.
One pledge.
One contribution.
One drop at a time.
Together, we can achieve US$300,000 for The Rotary Foundation.
I have pledged. Mimi ni Sponsor
Patrick Muchemi
DRFC — Sweet 16
D9216 — Kenya, Ethiopia & Eritrea
