The Hikers

Ryan McDonnell

“Why am I spending 20 days of my life walking across South Africa? I want to challenge the notion that ordinary individuals can’t make a tangible difference in the lives of others. Too often we make excuses that we don't have the ability, the time, the energy or that the problem is simply too big. The need is overwhelming…20 million AIDS orphans by 2010! We can not afford to sit back and say to ourselves ‘Oh, isn’t that terrible!’ True humanity is measured by what we do for others. That is why I am doing the Rotary AIDS Hike.”

Ryan McDonnell is from just north of Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Ryan has worked in the field of international development for three years, most recently in Liberia, West Africa. Focusing on Community Participation and AIDS, he is currently completing his masters in Development Studies at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa through a grant by the Rotary Foundation.


Jacob Maboja

“Why am I walking from Johannesburg to Cape Town? The hike is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness and funding that will make a phenomenal difference in the lives of children affected by AIDS. It’s a creative way for us to draw attention to the phenomenal impact that Rotary is having on the lives of these children, while underscoring the massive need that still exists not only in South Africa, but throughout the rest of Africa.”

Jacob Maboja, now living in South Africa, is originally from Kenya. He is a first-year law student at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Jacob grew up with Rotary as the son of an active Rotarian.


Kelly Lewis

“Why am I doing the Rotary AIDS Hike? Today, less than 5% of orphans and vulnerable children in Africa receive assistance of any kind. Within the next five years, more than 20 million children will be orphaned as a result of AIDS. We can not stand by as these children needlessly suffer without adequate nutrition, shelter, education or support.”

Kelly Lewis is a teacher from a small town in upstate New York, USA. Focusing her research on Parent and Educator Perceptions of Literacy Development, she is currently completing her Masters in Applied English Language Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa through a grant by the Rotary Foundation.


Keegan Kautzky

“Why am I walking 2010 kilometres across South Africa to raise awareness and funding? I believe the AIDS epidemic and the unnecessary suffering of more than 40 million people globally constitutes one of the greatest failures in human history. With the knowledge, means and resources available to prevent its spread, lesson its impact and end its devastation…it is a failure of our government, of the private sector, and of civil society. Even more, it is a failure of each of us – as individual members of one common humanity – to commit ourselves, our time, our money, our knowledge and our energy to assisting those in need. If nothing else, I hope that our efforts will provide inspiration for others to take action and end the apathy and disregard that has unnecessarily allowed the suffering and death of tens of millions.”

Keegan Kautzky is from a farm in rural Iowa, USA. He has worked in the field of international development for four years, most recently in Malawi and India. Focusing his research on Child Protection and Household Adaptation in Response to AIDS, he is currently completing his masters in Development Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa through a grant by the Rotary Foundation.


Ikumi Maekawa

“Why am I going on the Rotary AIDS Hike? I decided to be part of this project in order to draw awareness among people in South Africa about HIV/AIDS. Due to the increasing number of people living with AIDS, the misconceptions about the disease have driven society in the wrong direction. Through this hike, I am hoping to make a tangible difference in the lives of affected and infected South Africans, especially youth, and bring attention to the fight against AIDS in South Africa.”

Ikumi Maekawa is originally from Ena, Japan. Focusing on Gender and Politics, she is currently completing her Masters in Political Studies at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa through a grant by the Rotary Foundation.


Ruan Koorts

“Why am I involved with the Rotary AIDS Hike? Beyond its devastating impact on the economy, on education and on healthcare in South Africa and around the world, the AIDS epidemic is destroying the foundation of our society…our families and our communities. In the fight against AIDS, Rotarians have taken the lead in providing shelter, food, education, clothing and assistance to AIDS orphans and vulnerable children; in raising awareness and preventing the transmission of the virus through community education; and in improving psychosocial support networks and community assistance to those in need. I want to be a part of their efforts to show how we, as members of the community, as leaders of business, and as individuals can find solutions to the devastating problem of AIDS.”

Ruan Koorts is originally from Pretoria, South Africa. He is a final year Optometry student at the University of Johannesburg and has volunteered to be the full-time driver of the Rotary AIDS Hike Team. Ruan has admired the service work of Rotary clubs for many years and plans on becoming a Rotarian after beginning his professional career as an Optometrist.