Storytellers

Christopher Omira – Rotary 6330 Passport

Lambton College alumnus Christopher Omira was nominated for a Premier’s Award in 2016 to recognise his dedication to improving the lives of so many people both in Canada and Kenya.
 
The 49 year old Kenyan now works for Health Canada as a community health care nurse in remote and isolated First Nation Communities offering primary care.
 
Christopher received his bachelor of science from Western University and is in the process of completing his PhD there.
 
He has also co-founded a non-profit in Kenya to offer healthcare and education services and is passionate about helping the children of his boyhood village of Simenya. Christopher is currently assisting Sarnia Bluewaterland Rotary Club with a water project in Kenya.
 
He once told Rotarians “I am the product of your kindness. It has changed my life and the life of my people. I will never forget what you have done.” 
 
Christopher  is currently a member of Rotary 6330 Passport and a Chartering Member of Rotary Global Passport.

“Paying it Forward”

Christopher has an amazing story to tell and will talk about how he is now paying that “kindness” forward through being a health care nurse in a First Nation community and his projects in Kenya.

Jessica Carter

Jessica grew up in Port Elgin after her family moved to the community in 1994.  Her Dad (Kevin) joined the Port Elgin Rotary Club soon after moving to the area and it was supporting the Youth Exchange Program that Jessica remembers most about Rotary growing up.  The Carter family hosted a student often, beginning with Takumi from Japan in 1998 and continuing even after Jess and her younger brother (Tyson) had departed for post-secondary school.  Learning about other cultures from a young age inspired and motivated Jessica to apply for a Rotary Youth Exchange herself.  

 

In 2006-2007, Jessica spent 10 months in Chita, Russia on her own Rotary Youth Exchange adventure.  She wasn't counting on being placed in Siberia, but it ended up being the year of her life.  She stayed with three different host families and all were amazing experiences.  While in Russia, she was fortunate to travel coast to coast, spending time with Rotary members and exchange students in Vladivostok all the way to Moscow and St. Petersburg.  Her mum (Sandra) came to visit while she was abroad and met the entire club and all Jessica's host families and friends.  It's no surprise that Jessica is a strong advocate for the Youth Exchange Program and hopes to become more involved as she grounds deeper in her Rotary service.  
 
Jessica moved back to Saugeen Shores in 2017 after having spent 10 years in Guelph.  There, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph and then remained at the U of G in a professional capacity as a Leadership Educator in Student Life.  Jessica moved back to the area to join the family business and now operates Colorworks in Port Elgin, as well as being the Regional Director of Ontario Operations for the company.  She completed her Masters of Science in Leadership through Walden University when she moved back to the area.  Jessica currently lives in Southampton and is a member of the Port Elgin Rotary Club.  
 

Kailyn Nutt

In 2009, I first attended the Rotary Seminar for Tomorrow's Leaders as a delegate. I was so enthusiastic about what I learned that I volunteered as a Leader the following year. I have continued to assist with this leadership program for the past 10 years. This experience has influenced both my personal and my professional lives.
 
After graduating from Saugeen District Secondary School in 2010, I moved to New Brunswick to obtain my Undergraduate degree in International Studies and Psychology at St. Stephen's University in New Brunswick. After completing this degree, I worked in several different career areas including Academic Recruiting, Baking, Personal Support Work, Marketing, and Finance. Each of these opportunities were made possible in part by the leadership qualities that I have developed through my involvement with Rotary. I am eternally grateful for my experiences with Rotary and am excited to see what the future holds!
 
 
NOTE: “Rotary Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders is a weekend-long conference held annually at Western University in London, Ontario.
The conference is devoted to enhancing and expanding the leadership skills and abilities of the next generation of leaders. High School students will be provided with a range of new experiences, tools and perspectives through group discussion, amazing guest speakers and many other activities.”