The highly anticipated RotaTomorrow 4.0 initiative, led by the Member Relations Avenue of the Rotaract Club of University of Kelaniya, strategically prioritizes various sustainable development goals to effect meaningful change across communities. In line with this, the project “අපෙන් ගමට”, spearheaded by Team 02: Infinity, is specifically geared towards advancing Sustainable Development Goal Number 17: “Partnership for the Goals”. The project aimed to foster collaboration among nonprofit organizations, government institutions, and businesses to drive positive impact within targeted communities. The project was structured to unfold in two distinct phases.
1. Quality Education
In the initial phase, the project focused on enhancing educational opportunities at the underprivileged Jeremies Dias School in Panadura through a book donation initiative. This effort aimed to upgrade the school’s library facilities and provide additional educational resources for students. Through this initiative, more than 200 Sinhala and English fiction and non-fiction books were donated to the library of Jeremies Dias School. By improving access to educational resources, the project aligned closely with Sustainable Development Goal 4: “Quality Education”. This phase was executed with the collaboration of the Zonal Education Office in Kalutara which not only benefited the current students but also laid a foundation for future generations of the school, fostering a conducive learning environment and expanding their access to knowledge.
2. Enhancing Water Quality
As the second phase, the project installed a Water Purification System at Kiwula Primary School in Anamaduva, incorporating a water pump for the water source and a Reverse Osmosis (RO) System. The phase was executed with the collaboration of the Water Supply and Drainage Board of Puttalam who provided one of the water tanks needed. This rural village school faced challenges with its water source as it could only be accessed through a lever, and contained various contaminants along with elevated levels of iron, posing health risks to the students. To address this, a pre-treatment process was undertaken to get rid of contaminants within the water source before installing the RO filters and the Water Purification System. By ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water, the project directly addressed the critical need for improved water quality among school children, promoting healthier and safer living conditions. In doing so, it contributed to fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal 6: “Clean Water and Sanitation”.
The support of the government institutions such as the Zonal Education Office of Kalutara and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board of Puttalam in the two phases of project “අපෙන් ගමට” played a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness, quality, and success of the project. Apart from these, the success of the project was further enhanced thanks to the collaboration with the organizations, Fontera (Pvt) Ltd who provided a Silver Sponsorship, Senarath Group and C.N.Y. Exports (Pvt) Ltd who provided a Bronze Sponsorship, Dinamina who was the Official Printed Media Partner and Thermo TEC Marketing who provided a Water Pump to the project, and philanthropist individuals who provided noteworthy generous donations towards the project reflected a broader community effort toward achieving common goals and underscores the significance of grassroot level support in sustainable development initiatives. By bringing together government institutions, businesses, and individual donors, the project demonstrated a comprehensive approach to addressing complex social challenges and promoting community well-being.
The successful culmination of Project අපෙන් ගමට owes much to the unwavering teamwork, dedication, and tireless efforts exhibited by the team members. Despite facing various challenges, the team persevered and ultimately achieved the goal of making a positive impact within the community. Despite the conclusion of the project, its impact resonates long into the future, offering hope for generations to come. Furthermore, with proper periodic maintenance such as changing of membranes, checking of valves and fittings, the Water Purification System can last more than 6 years. Moreover, the implementation of the water pump in the water source allows the community to draw water efficiently from the well for years to come. The community also has the opportunity to improve the implemented RO system to distribute water to the whole village with time. By laying the groundwork for sustainable change, project “අපෙන් ගමට” has imbued future generations with a sense of optimism and possibility, ensuring a legacy of progress and hope for years to come.
