Chairman’s address during the Launch of the Sigona Golf Club Charity Foundation

In the words of Adam Smith “he says”  “No society can flourish and be happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable”

 

When I cast my eyes across our horizons, am touched by the nature’s beauty. The rich flora and fauna, good people, etc

 

Behind all this beauty, am quick to note the inhabitants of this beautiful landscape. Men and women from all walks of life.  Brought together by the great desire to live on and enjoy nature’s greatest gift.

 

In the midst of all this, there are those around us whose desire to live is thwarted by difficulties in accessing life’s basic needs. Food, shelter, medicare and education. A day comes and another passes. Yesterday, today and tomorrow never change.

Sponsors, invited guests, fellow members, ladies and gentlemen; we are gathered here to make a lasting change to the lives of some of us who are less fortunate. It is my sincere believe that, the greatest happiness on earth lies in making the lives of others meaningful by bringing a smile on the less fortunate amidst all the distractions that this world could offer. It gives me great pleasure and privilege to host you as we launch this Sigona Golf Charity Day. Allow me therefore to welcome you this evening as we launch SGC Charity Foundation.

 

Looking around, I am undoubtedly, humbled to see the commitment and dedication you have shown not only to this club, but also to the greater Sigona community.

 

The Launch of Sigona Golf Club Charity Foundation is only but a culmination of continuing charity work over the years. In 2008 SGC committed Ksh. 144,787 to support various charities, which include, Nderi Sacred Heart and Amani Children Center, Henry Wanyoike Run Fund and Thogoto Home for the Aged. In subsequent years the club has raised funds totaling Ksh.250,000 to support Abbey Special School and Thogoto Home for the Aged. This year, in partnership with Kingsway Motors we organized a medical camp for Sigona Golf Club community to cater for those who have no access to private medical care. I have discussed this with the sponsor who happens to be our Vice Captain.  We intend to make this initiative an annual event.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a no mean achievement. As it is always said, the achievements of an organization are the combined efforts of each individual. Each one of us has made substantial contribution. At this juncture I want to thank each one of you for these efforts. Sometimes people think that successful people are givers. I want to correct this particular notion. Ladies and gentlemen, I believe givers are successful people. If we fasten our attention on what we have, rather than on what we lack, a very little wealth is sufficient for each one of us. It is such inherent feelings that have made wealthy people like Warren Buffen to be giants of charity having so far contributed a whoping 31 billion  US$ to charity work.

 

The launch of SGC Charity foundation is expected to accelerate our existing efforts and propel our achievements to new heights. We intend to improve the quality of life of the marginalized sectors of our society by partnering with individuals, groups and institutions into addressing common humanitarian concern; and by providing a venue where everyone can contribute their resources for relevant and responsive programs. My Board and the entire membership shall provide an enabling environment in supporting these endeavors.

In terms of governance SGC Charity Foundation will be run as an autonomous entity under a registered trust with trustees drawn from both the membership of Sigona and other stakeholders in the wider Sigona community. The trustees’ mandate shall be to manage all funds raised under this initiative guided by the principle of equity, priority and need. Under the Trust, the Trustees shall determine the application of these parameters from time to time in consultation with the Board. I intend to form a search team that will conduct preliminary assessment and report back to the Board.

 

Please note that while the main focus is on all charity oriented programmes, we shall put more emphasis on basic education, disabled homes, vocational training, food relief, elimination of jiggers, old aged homes and provision of sanitary towels to several schools in the Sigona area. The need for this project is necessitated by the shocking statistics that a girl looses four days of learning each month during menstruation, which is approximately 39 days of learning each year. Further the foundation shall focus on growing income-generating projects that are viable and self-sustaining. Once again we shall develop parameters for identifying and accepting these income generating projects for funding as well as making them suitable vehicles for stimulating economic growth and development within our community.

 In terms of educational support, all of us must accept the fact that there are so many needy students within our community. Our prime objective will be to support those students who are first needy, and secondly who have attained their top of the class grades. In equal measure we shall develop parameters to define who will qualify.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I do acknowledge how busy our schedule are, but may I remind each one of us who is present here today that the future belongs to those who understand that doing more with less is compassionate, prosperous, enduring and thus more intelligent, even competitive. Let us nurture a community around us where each individual can play their part in breaking down the barriers that exist through ignorance, lack of understanding, and enable each person to live their life without prejudice. As a club, as members, as businessmen and businesswomen, we shall be achieving much more through all these charity events. In the words of William Ford, Chairman Ford Motors Co. “A good company delivers excellent products and services. But an excellent company does all that a good company does and also strives to make the world a better place”.

 

Indeed the modern society has moved from a shareholders society to a stakeholders’ society and that has massive implication on profitability, financial sustainability, wealth creation, long-term growth and survival.

 

Using the words of mother Teresa,

 

|“Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.”

 

 

Like a Sunflower seed, which, as every child will tell you, has the potential to grow into a marvelous flower that is bigger and far taller than any of us, your generosity and support will produce a bounty of goodness that will last far beyond our life time."

In conclusion, I want once again to thank all us who have made this occasion so, successful. . The members of staff have been very supportive in making this day a success. I want to thank the Golf office and corporate social responsibility committee headed by Mr. Michael Njoroge for organizing this tournament through which we have corrected substantial contributions. My Board has supported me all through. The members present have sacrificed their time and resources to support the events of this day. Others have sent donations but have not been able to come. Please pass my kind regards to them. I want to thank all categories of sponsor.s I want to thank Kengen which through Mr. Eddy Njoroge has donated Ksh. 250,000, Simba Colt for donating Ksh. 100,000 and Rahab Karoki for donating Ksh. 100,000. All of us have done an excellent job. And for everybody who has made it a success and I did not mention them, kindly feel appreciated.

 

Otherwise I hope u had a successful golfing and fun filled day.

And like Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success. We have come together, let us stay and continue working together.

Ladies and Gentlemen, “Who, being loved, is poor?” Today’s gesture makes the needy in our society feel otherwise.

 

Thank you; drive well and good night.

 

CHAIRMAN             GERALD W. NYUGUTO