District Governor Ken Jaskot and Putnam President Mary Keely Pictured (l to r) are Bob Keely, Bill Ellis, visitors Ron Thaxton, Joab Sonko, and Putnam Rotarian Chet Marshall.

July 18, 2006

Visitors frequently attend the Tuesday luncheon meetings of Putnam Rotary, and among the guests today was the new District Governor Kenneth Jaskot, a member of the Barboursville club.

Also present today to hear author Carter Taylor Seaton were Ron Thaxton and Joab Sonko.

Thaxton is with the Cross Lanes Church in the City. He started an organization called Smile Uganda and was the team leader when Putnam's Chet Marshall went there in March 2005 to conduct a two-day business leadership summit.

Sonko, a Ugandan pastor, has an organization called Excel Africa and he plants churches, works with young people, and also encourages entrepreneurship among his people.

He loves to train, teach and conduct seminars on principles, values and leadership.

Sonko attended a seminar conducted by Marshall in September 2005 in Kampala.

He has written a book entitled "The Power of a Dream--From Slavery to Significance" -- his story of getting an education in Uganda after his mother and father split, then abandoned him when he was seven years old.

Sanga expressed appreciation to the Putnam Rotary for its support of a library for the Divine Secondary School near Entebbe.