Wednesday, June 26, 2013

KARAMOJA CORPORATE LEAGUE, POINTLESS BUT LAUDABLE


The “Karamoja Corperate League” is how the founders call it. Their vision: “A happy, healthy working population in Moroto”. They dream of employees that do not easily fall sick, not frazzled out easily, have full good hours at their work…

Their mission: “Making a contribution through sports in ensuring a happy healthy working class in Moroto”. I have no idea on how this contribution through sports will be enhanced.

Their stated goal: “Promoting Unity, pro-activeness and harmony among Moroto working class”. The organizers equally ascribed their purpose as, “Organizing monthly corporate sporting activities in Moroto”. This is their single main intention. Their games include; Soccer, Rugby and Tag of War, period!

By and large, the idea of this union is great. Last week, upon the arrival of its communication to various networking platforms, I weighed up an opinion destined to expurgate the initiative.  My natural believe is that in a free world, bowdlerizing on everything is essential. It creates room for improvement/adjustments. Agreed, I think the KCL is really unsuccessfully designed and very disappointingly decided.

On networking and putting happiness in the hearts of the “working class” in Moroto, I thought enough is already in place. Unless KCL carpenters intend to have a transition or, - yes I see the organizers might be craving to have a lot in the ‘happiness’ menu.   Otherwise the corporate night is also in place. Others are two competing night clubs; Kicks, then there is Whyspaz. Other happy “working class” go to Night Glory –making for us noise all nights throughout. Equally in place is Mzee-Gee and his comedy things. I also learnt of movie nights now in Moroto.

Sports -Soccer; Moroto has Uhuru League. A lot of soccer teams register and participate in this very popular -poorly sponsored confederation. The “working class” in my view, could throw their ‘pocket’-weight behind this trendy local football league by registering their team too, and participating.

Trying to have another analogous soccer occasion is to me a mean way of trying to draw a thick useless line between “working class” and ‘others’. The ‘others’ may also be doing their own private work or could be beneficiaries of employers of “working class”. My view is, we need to be one. Therefore, we need to create something that will kill the gap between “working class” and ‘others’. We need to engage ourselves into activities that will do real corporate social responsibility roles. What can truly see the corporate giving back to the non-corporate. To the community. To the poor.

What could work?
The corporates or the “working class” for that matter could organise monthly community outreach activities. One thing could be reaching out to the sick and broken hearted in the hospital. With modest packages inform of soap…the corporates could surely soothe and rebuild hope in the hearts of the unwell. 

Another activity could involve the corporates heading to one community say -dirty Nakapelimen and doing meticulous cleaning of streets, digging dumping pits, erecting hand washing gears in latrine locations while sharing with the community the good of sanitation at home levels.

As people of various educational backgrounds, the corporates (“working class”) could also plan for inspirational functions within the local institutions. In the primary schools, secondary schools and colleges. They can organise a number of games, play…could even do debates on educational topics with these young stars. They can create a forum for students/pupils to ask questions on career guidance, career development. Those who happen to be the Old Boys and Old Girls can as well delve into telling their survival techniques in school during their past time. Something the young girls and boys could try out in their current educational expedition.

In this way, I feel the corporates shall be seen as big source of inspiration and mentors to the ‘corporates’ of tomorrow. Indeed, in my outlook, such occasions could send strong signal through the youngsters in school down to their siblings –the ones back at home –making them realize that education is a true route to successful living. My thinking is such activities are more credible for performing corporate social roles. We are talking about what everyone can see, feel and positively appreciate and learn from.

Anyone who will see this opinion as the handiwork of a saboteur is not a responsible citizen of this Country. Whether Owiny is wrong or right is nothing like a problem. This remains a one man’s perspective and it does not mean Owiny will go around trying to encourage souls not to participate in the corporate league. In fact, Owiny will also participate in the league football, but his opinion remains as cool as a cucumber.