May 13th – Emily Bakhitah Akoth Otieno
Emily Bakhitah Akoth Otieno is a member of Rotary Club of Kisumu Winam, D 9212, Kenya. She is the founder of the Rise to Shine Education Foundation, providing high school scholarships to bright but needy children in the high-poverty Lake Victoria region of Western Kenya. She was offered education and a way out of a dead-end life of abandonment, early marriage, or providing sex for food, all of which often ended in early pregnancy. She is now dedicated to offering that opportunity to other children, especially girls who have the fewest opportunities to escape.
The scope of her work has widened to include fighting female genital mutilation and providing vocational services to adult women, all of which empower the women in her country to break the cycle of poverty one woman at a time.
Program Chair – Renée Campbell
Meeting Location: Cedar Hall, Main Salem Alliance Building
The Global Impact of World Community Service Projects
This year, our club and district continue to support a rich array of impactful international initiatives. Among them stands a shining example of hope, resilience, and educational empowerment: the Rise to Shine Education Foundation in Kenya, founded by the remarkable Emily Bakhita Akoth, who will speak to our club on May 14 thanks to Program Chair Renee Campbell.
Rise to Shine: A Story of Hope and Education
Born and raised in the impoverished community of Kisumu, Kenya, Emily Bakhita Akoth knows firsthand the barriers many children face in accessing quality education. After receiving support through international programs and completing her higher education, Emily made a life-changing decision: to return to her hometown and uplift her community.
The Rise to Shine Education Foundation was born from this vision. Through local partnerships and international support—including Rotarians in District 5100—Emily’s foundation provides essential services: scholarships, school supplies, mentorship programs, and even meals for children in need. What started as a small initiative has grown into a transformative force, giving hope to dozens of children and families.
Thanks to the collaboration of clubs across District 5100, Rise to Shine has received not only financial backing but also strategic guidance, volunteer support, and project development assistance. Our district’s commitment has enabled the expansion of Rise to Shine’s programs, reaching more students and strengthening community ties.
A Personal Connection
Last year, Renee Campbell and I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Emily in Keizer. Her passion, vision, and unwavering commitment to the children of Kisumu were truly inspiring.
While I regret that I won’t be able to hear her update in person this time—as I’ve had to extend my stay in California to support my son—I encourage all of you to attend the May 14 meeting. I’m confident Emily’s visit will be both uplifting and thought-provoking.
I look forward to being back with you at our May 23 meeting.
Rotary Club of Salem
2024-2025
