Rotary International's Service Above Self Award recognises fewer than 150 of the 1.2 million Rotarians around the world each year.
Lucy Hobgood-Brown, alias MAMA OTAENGA, was born in the United States and has lived in Australia for more than 25 years. But her heart will always be in a remote town, Lutombe, in the equatorial forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she spent much of her childhood. Her family’s connection to Lotumbe dates back to 1912, when her grandparents arrived there to work as missionaries.
Lucy as the Founding Director of Clay International Partners, has experience living and working in nine countries, working in international social development, communications, project implementation and public relations. Her career has included PR practitioner, journalist, university lecturer and community development consultant. She holds Masters Degrees in International Communication and International Social Development. Lucy joined Rotary in 2011 and is currently a member of E-Club of Greater Sydney.
Lucy is a global humanitarian and community builder. In 2005, returning along with her sister for a visit to their childhood home, realising the plight of women, founded HandUp Congo, its motto being ‘Offer a Hand Up, Not a Hand Out. Over 7000 children and their families have been positively impacted.
Starting with the purchase of two sewing machines HandUp Congo now supports projects involving food security, canoe motors, micro-credits, poultry power, reforestation, community gardens, nurseries, library, sports, schools, beekeeping, community store, solar panels, mpox vaccines. She was responsible for establishing the first Rotary Peace Pole in the Congo which was erected at the main street intersection of Lutombe.
Lucy has assisted Congolese refugees in Sydney and Cowra with housing, driver training and employment and supported Congolese students to attend The Science Experience.
In 2015 Lucy received Rotary International’s Global Woman of Action Award at the United Nations Assembly. She successfully nominated Rev. Dr. Kondemo for the Royce & Jean Abbey Vocational Scholarship.
Lucy is an avid champion of Rotarians for Bees, a network that promotes the easy changes we can make to help bees and other pollinators thrive. She also leads the “1000 trees” Campaign in Equateur Province, repurposing plastic waste to nurture bee-friendly seedlings.
Lucy is a tireless and energetic fund-raiser, gives freely of her time and resources and uses her expertise and language skills to help mentor others with designing and implementing projects, as well as raising public awareness on issues including mpox, floods, micro-credit for mamas, transport for doctors and obstetric emergency training. Her infectious smile and warm personality attract a willing band of helpers.
Lucy Hobgood-Brown truly embodies Service Above Self at the highest level.
