By M. M. A. Al Numan Tonmoy, Rotary Club of Habiganj Khoai, Bangladesh —
When I began my university education in 2012, I was very introverted. I tried not to talk with people much and I would avoid social gatherings. During that time, I met an elder classmate who would become my mentor. His name is Md. Raihan Kabir and he was president of the Rotaract Club of East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. I had heard lots of stories about Rotary and Rotaract but didn’t know much about them. He was the first person who helped me understand what Rotary is all about.
One day, he invited my friends and I to help his team gather students for a blood donation campaign which the Rotaract club had organized. I was a bit scared but didn’t want to say no to my mentor so I took part. It was my first introduction to Rotary.
A few days later, my mentor asked me to go with him to attend an installation program of the Rotaract Club of Dhaka North, one of the oldest Rotaract clubs in our country. The seniors of their club invited us to join their club, and it was the greatest decision of my life.
After joining, I became very involved and received an award from Rotary District 3281 as the “Most Promising Rotaractor.” My club also gave me “The Best Rotaractor” award for my work during 2014.
I served as sergeant at arms, community service director, service director, secretary, vice president, and eventually president in 2015-16. After serving as the zone secretary and regional secretary in our district, I became the district secretary in 2020-21.
I have enjoyed organizing a variety of programs including working with my fellow Rotaract members on a Rotaract Model United Nations, Rotaract Career Gridline Seminars, and Rotaract Club Assembly. We also organized an art program for underserved children and a chess competition.
All these things allowed me to express myself and give back to my community. My participation in Rotaract made me the person I am today. It allowed me to be a better version of myself. It also helped me grow professionally in my career by instilling in me self-confidence.
After experiencing all these things in Rotaract, I have now moved on to join the Rotary Club of Habiganj Khoai. I am excited to continue serving my community and living out Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self.
https://blog.rotary.org/2025/03/28/how-rotaract-changed-my-life/