By Telesha Ramnarine
Last Tuesday marked a significant milestone for the Rotaract Club of Georgetown (RCG) as it celebrated 40 years of service, youth leadership development, and community-based activities. Since its charter on July 1, 1985, under the mentorship of the Rotary Club of Georgetown and the founding leadership of President Patrick Nicholson, RCG is now one of the country鈥檚 influential and long-standing Rotaract clubs.
Founded with a vision to nurture a youth arm focused on service, leadership, and lifelong fellowship, RCG has since been led by 39 past presidents, each playing a role in shaping the club鈥檚 legacy. Under their guidance, RCG has garnered numerous awards and accolades for its contributions to communities across Guyana.
Dr Kimberly Manbodh, who previously served as president during 2021鈥2022, is at the helm again for the 2025鈥2026 term with a goal to strengthen the club鈥檚 reach and influence across Rotary District 7030.
From its humble beginnings as a small group of volunteers, RCG has grown into quite a force, delivering programmes that continue to make a difference. Among its signature initiatives is the Sophia Literacy Programme, which has run for over 25 years, fostering educational advancement in underserved communities.
Additionally, its annual back-to-school drives have supported more than 300 students each year, providing essential school supplies, backpacks, and classroom upgrades. RCG has also championed collaboration, partnering regularly with civic groups such as JCI, Lions, Toastmasters, and notably, since 2021鈥2022, forming a twin-club partnership with the Rotaract Club of St. Augustine West in Trinidad.
One of its most impactful collaborations has been with the National Blood Bank of Guyana, where RCG鈥檚 blood drives and donor recruitment efforts have significantly contributed to the country鈥檚 blood donation goals. The club was recently recognised for its unwavering support and updated the Blood Donor Champion Board, honouring frequent donors and local heroes.
Last March 29, RCG also broke new ground by partnering with STEM Guyana to deliver a hands-on youth engagement session focused on STEM.
Past presidents frequently return to share in the club鈥檚 celebrations, expressing admiration for the current leadership and excitement for what lies ahead. RCG said it wants to extend a warm invitation to young professionals and service-minded individuals aged 18鈥35 to be part of its journey. 鈥淩CG encourages interested young professionals to visit their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to learn more about how to join, support upcoming projects, and ways to give back and impact communities across Guyana. 40 years completed, 40 more on the horizon,鈥 a statement said.
Manbodh told Stabroek Weekend that reaching 40 years as a Rotaract Club was nothing short of extraordinary and a milestone that fills her with pride, gratitude, and deep respect for the legacy that continues.
鈥淭o be part of a club that has served with such consistency, resilience, and impact for four decades is both humbling and inspiring. I feel honoured to stand on the shoulders of the many passionate Rotaractors who came before me 鈥 individuals who laid the foundation, carried the torch, and built a culture of service, leadership, and fellowship that we proudly continue today,鈥 she expressed. 鈥淭his milestone reminds me that our club is not just an organisation, it鈥檚 a movement; a place where lives are transformed, leaders are born, and communities are uplifted. I鈥檓 proud to be part of that legacy and even more excited for the future we鈥檙e shaping together.鈥
In her role as president, she shared that this goes beyond leading meetings or overseeing projects. 鈥淚 see myself as the heart of the club鈥檚 mission, guiding our members, fostering collaboration, setting strategic goals, and ensuring that we serve our community with purpose and impact,鈥 she said.
Responsible for building a supportive and engaging club culture where every member feels empowered to lead and grow, both personally and professionally, Manbodh said what she enjoys most about this role is the opportunity to turn passion into action.
鈥淭here鈥檚 something incredibly fulfilling about being part of a movement that creates real change, whether it鈥檚 through a small community initiative or a large-scale district project. I thrive on seeing ideas come to life, watching members evolve into leaders, and knowing that the work we do leaves a lasting mark,鈥 she said.
鈥淢ore than anything, I enjoy being a Rotaract president because it aligns with who I am: purpose-driven, people-focused, and always ready to lead with compassion and vision. This role challenges me, stretches me, and constantly reminds me that service and leadership are not titles, they鈥檙e responsibilities I carry with pride.鈥