Having fun and making a difference – Dounby RotaKids undertakes first project of its kind in Orkney

It’s never too early to start making a difference to the communities we live in, but also further afield.

With this in mind, an exciting new group – Dounby RotaKids – supported by Dounby School and the Rotary Club of Orkney is now underway and recently they undertook the first RotaKids project of its kind in Orkney.

The school, including the nine RotaKids aged from 7-12, decided they wanted to re-engage with the community following what has been, and continues to be, a challenging period during the pandemic.

Through their own initiative, organisation and hard work – and with mentor support from three local Rotarians – the young people collected a thoughtful assortment of gifts suitable for the residents of Smiddybrae House care facility to enjoy.

They packed the gifts into boxes and had great pleasure in delivering them, ending up with so many that they had to ask classmates help to deliver them!

Bill Wallace is President of the Rotary Club of Orkney. He said: “The thing about RotaKids is it is the children who decide and run their own projects. In the case of Dounby School there is a President who presides over the meetings, a Secretary who takes the minutes and records all activities and a Treasurer who will deal with all financial matters etc. RotaKids does not conflict with any school activities or normal lessons but rather complements them. 

“We as the Rotary Club of Orkney are very proud and excited to be part of this story. We must also acknowledge the support of the school and how the staff and children have embraced and supported the idea of RotaKids. We are involved as ‘mentors’ and can assist with suggestions and guidance on the execution of projects – but the young folk take it all forward.”

When restrictions allow once more, Rotary Club members will visit the school once or twice a month and they will encourage the children to give updates to the school, to parents and to Rotary, outlining their activities and future projects.

The activities undertaken by the RotaKids not only make a difference but, importantly, are fun. The projects can range from fundraising for charity to improving the environment to helping vulnerable folk here and abroad. Examples include – beach cleans and litter picks, tree planning and weeding gardens, tea parties and entertainment for the elderly, filling shoeboxes for refugee children, collecting books for less fortunate children, cake stalls and coffee mornings, to name but a few.

There’s also a knock-on benefit of growing self-confidence and self-esteem at what can be a key stage in a young person’s development.

Bill continued: “We have visited the school now on four separate occasions since the inception of RotaKids but this is now on hold and restrictions allowing will be helping with new project ideas in the New Year. The participation by Rotarians in events and RotaKids meetings are at the discretion of the teacher. The Rotary Club will also give financial support if so required.”

The Rotary Club itself has 36 volunteer members and are always keeping an eye out for projects and charities to support at home and away.

“We can often be seen out in the streets of Orkney with our collecting buckets in response to any world disasters, tsunamis, famines, refugees,  and earthquakes. We also support many charities such as RNLI in Orkney, Scottish Air Ambulance, Scottish Autism Orkney, Orkney MS Centre, Age Concern, Orkney Drugs Dog to name just a few and Rotarians have been involved in the near eradication of polio alongside the Gates family.

“We raise money in a variety of ways from online auctions, coffee mornings, art auctions, Santa's Sleigh, raffles etc the list is long and thanks to some of our more creative members fundraising is always evolving.”

Chair of the Council’s Education, Housing and Leisure Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, commended both the schoolchildren and the local Rotarians for a sterling effort.

“This also brings an exciting and practical approach to supporting the citizenship element of the national curriculum. By doing so, children enjoy a boost to their confidence and self-esteem at a key age and develop and understanding of how their actions can impact on others.”