World Interact Week : Young People on Building Better Communities

Celebrated every year during the week of 5th November, the World Interact Week is meant to commemorate the founding of the first Interact Club in 1962. This week, we met the Presidents of the various Interacts, who are indeed inspiring young generations willing to walk to make a difference. 

Interact Clubs bring together youngsters of 12- to 18-years-old who expand their horizons and communicate with local and international volunteers to cultivate an international sense. In Mauritius, there are 10 Interact Clubs namely: Interact Club of Le Bocage, Interact Club of Collège de la Confiance, Interact Club of Mahatma Gandhi Secondary School (Flacq), Interact Club of Mahatma Gandhi Institute (Moka), Interact Club of MEDCO Cassis, Interact Club of Queen Elizabeth College, Interact Club of Rivière Noire, Interact Club of Universal College, the newborn Interact Club of Loreto College Quatre-Bornes and three other Clubs are in process of setting up.

To mark the World Interact Week with Interactors and Rotarians around the world, Interact Clubs, in partnership with their sponsor Rotary Clubs, Rotaractors and as well as with other Interact Clubs would participate in projects such as awareness campaigns about Interact, food donation to homeless people, sensitization campaigns on drugs, visit to an orphanage and distribution of recycling bins.

Ashley Vithilingem : “My goal is to promote peace and socio-economic justice”

Ashley Vithilingem, 16-years-old and student at Collège de la Confiance in Grade 11, is the President of Interact Club of College De La Confiance. His motto is “Service above Self.” He reveals that membership in an Interact Club helps develop better community citizens.  “Being an adolescent, I believe that Interact Clubs is a cross-section of the world’s most prominent citizens who are aware of their cultures and have developed a love of working with people everywhere. As the President, my aim is to inspire the 26 members in building more than just a world.”

He has helped in setting up a school garden for medicinal and endemic plants. Other projects of his include: Collect of non-perishable foodstuffs and donation to the needy of the society and Donation of 150 USD to the Polio Fund through fund raising. “My goal is to promote peace and socio-economic justice. I want to see an open society where men and women believe in peace.”

Sonia Chummun : “Be the pebble in the pond that creates the ripple for change”

President of the Interact Club of Mahatma Gandhi Institute State School (Moka), Sonia Chummun is leading under the motto “Be the Change You Wish to See in the World.” She reveals that she joined the club as she wanted to be the pebble in the pond that creates the ripple for change.

“My love for philanthropy encouraged me to join in the 468,556 Interactors all over the world. ‘Walk the Talk’ and bring the maximum change I can. Moreover, I would like to earn success based on service to others and not at the expense of others. I want to enable access to education to all for I believe education is the one weapon that could end all forms of poverty.”

Projects Initiated: Food donation for Syria, Setting up of a medicinal garden at school, Plants and ice cream selling for fund raising, Awareness campaign on pollution, Beach cleaning, Lunch teenagers of Sapphire NGO, Mothers’ Day celebration with female staff at school, Donation of dog food and other subsidies to la Meute de Zion, Book collection for the Village Council Library, World Peace Day celebration and Food donation to the homeless people.

Pradnya Mulloo : “Create a real impact for humanity”

Pradnya Mulloo is the president of Interact Club of Queen Elizabeth College whose motto is “Individually-Empathy is the Strongest Weapon One Can Use to Truly Save the World.” She states that it has only been a few months since the Interact Club of Queen Elizabeth College has been set up but their determination to make a difference and create a real impact for humanity and wildlife and flora motivate them every day.

“I believe it is our responsibility to care for and help the world as we are children of this earth. Interact represents an opportunity for me and all my club members to make our voices heard. We will always serve others and promote peace in a holistic way.”

Her goal in life is to preserve natural biodiversity and bring joy to humanity through various philanthropic projects across the globe. She wants to create more empathy and in turn, to encourage mindfulness in people concerning all aspects of life.

Projects Initiated: Polio awareness through fund raising, Environmental protection activities, Providing basic necessities and Emotional support to children in an orphanage, Giving food and basic necessities to homeless people and Christmas with the less fortunate children, among others.

Heenachee Roopa : “Engagement can bring about important social changes”

The President of Interact Club of MEDCO Cassis Secondary School, Heenachee Roopa, has chosen the motto “Be Leaders of Peace and Leaders of Love” for the year 2018-2019. She has joined the club to inspire others. “As Interactors, we all have duty to be that inspiration which other people are looking for. As Interactors, we are the young generation. Let us be this chosen generation and be an inspiration to other youngsters. Engagement can bring about important social changes that are sometimes left behind. One doesn’t have to wait to be an adult to be an active member in our society. Our opinion matters and it should be heard and being part of the 468,556 Interact members, we can make ourselves heard.”
She wishes to emphasize on the acceptance of individual responsibility as the basis of personal success, community improvement, and group achievement.

Rajanah Vishan : “I want to eradicate hunger and poverty”

President of Interact Club of Mahatma Gandhi State School (Flacq), Rajanah Vishan’s priority is to inspire people whether they are youngsters or the elderly, as well as improve the society at large. Leading under the Motto of “Change Starts with Us”, the young man joined the club so as to get the chance to do something good. “My goal in life is to eradicate hunger and poverty across the globe. In an increasingly complex world, I would like that we collectively work for a better world, ‘less talk’ more action in peace.”

Project initiated: Donation of clothes and food in an orphanage in Curepipe, Clean-up campaign to keep our environment clean, Drawing competition in the context of the Independence Day celebrations, Stray dogs’ sterilization, Drug awareness campaign in our schools and International joint projects.

Aurelien Gilbert Benoit : “Make a difference in our community”

Interact Club of Rivière Noire, Aurelien Gilbert is leading under the theme “Together We Can Go Further.” The young leader embarked on this journey to serve the community. “My goal is to make a difference in our community that will be remembered for years to come and be an inspiration for the youngsters.” The young leader wants to decrease the generation gap between the different generations as well as improving the communication between them. 

Taneshree Purgass : “I want to open up avenues”

Taneshree Purgass is the president of Interact Club of Rajcoomar Gujadhur SSS. She is leading under the motto “Serve While Having Fun.” She explains that being a member of the big Rotary family gives young people an opportunity to participate in fun. “I want to open up avenues of persona; and group action leading to the advancement of local and international understanding and goodwill towards people.” 

Nella Bissoondeeal : “Leading under the theme of being an inspiration”

Nella Bissoondeeal, 16-years-old, is the Assistant District Interact Representative. Her goal for the year 2018-2019 is “Be an Inspiration.”

She aims at spreading the awareness pertaining to Interact across the country, as many Mauritians are not aware about this extraordinary club service brings together friends of Interact Clubs to fight against drugs in colleges, extend their hands to the needy of the society, promote international understanding and friendship with other Interact Clubs in the District 9220 and over the world. Nella Bissoondeal has been the Charter President of Interact Club of Mahatma Gandhi State School RI Year 2016-2017 and President RI Year 2017-2018 

Ashlena Gurunna : “Embarking on a journey to inspire”

Interact Club of Le Bocage International School has as president Ashlena Gurunna. She is leading under the Motto “Service above Self.” She highlights that with the Rotary International Theme 2018-2019 ‘Be the Inspiration’, she trusts that their prior aim for embarking on this journey is being the ones to inspire the change.  

“In order to attain our goals, we have come up with numerous foreseeable endeavours, namely ‘The International Coastal Clean Up Project’ whereby we will be working together to reduce the most waste possible along our coastal area. Secondly, we have decided to target the wildlife community, as it surely does not go unnoticed that the number of stray dogs in Mauritius is increasing exponentially. Henceforth, we will hold campaigns and talks to raise awareness about the tragic issue of overpopulation of strays as well as raise funds to contribute financially in the sterilization of strays.”

Anju Ramodhin : “Experience transcends time”

District Officer for Rotaract and Interact, Anju Ramodhin states that it is an honour and great privilege to serve as District Officer for Rotaract & Interact for the RI Year 2018-2019 under the theme ‘Be the Inspiration’. “I have the golden opportunity to impart my wisdom and knowledge, my experience to this younger generation. It may be different times, but experience transcends time.”   

As we celebrate the 56th Anniversary of the Interact, she urges to hold steadfast to the values of “Fellowship Through Service”; fostering relationships and building new bonds as we continue to make a difference through service to the community. “The motto of Interact is both serious and fun, which gives a good idea of what it is like to be a member. The serious part is the fund-raising and project organizing, which leads to helping an individual or a group. The fun part is in joining together with others to do it! Clubs often organize social occasions for themselves and for others. It is not always easy for young people to find opportunities to serve their communities in a positive way or to develop leadership skills. Interact provides these opportunities.” 

She further adds that “the Rotary Clubs and myself serving as District Officer Rotaract & Interact are proud to see the exemplary leadership and the excellent jobs that are being done by Interactors.  Together, we can make great strides and help to move this great organisation towards a brighter and more progressive future!”