Hola People!

First of all, I must say, to be a member of the Rotaract Club of University of Kelaniya (RACUOK) was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and it was one of the main reasons that I could survive the hard times of my university life. It was not only a club, but it’s also a beautiful family full of love and support, which gave a huge and great impact on my life.

Embarking on my Rotaract journey has been a transformative experience, shaping not only my perspective on community service but also fostering personal growth and leadership skills. The journey began with the excitement of discovery – discovering like-minded individuals passionate about creating meaningful change. Rotaract, a part of Rotary International, provides a platform for young adults to come together, share ideas, and engage in service projects that address the needs of their local and global communities.

I was doing Rotaract for two years; Rotaract International Year (RIY) 2021/22 and RIY 2022/2023. In the first year I was in the Community Service Avenue, and we were guided by our smartest Ex-co members and the beautiful three directors to do so many projects that served the community through our avenue. I should specially mention someone here and that was Rtr. Tharinduni Ranasinghe, one of our directors of the avenue who always worked as an enthusiastic member and motivated us through-out the whole year.

There were members from various backgrounds and all four batches of the university, and we always united under a common goal that we accomplished at the end. In my Rotaract journey, through hands-on projects, we tackled so many projects and events that have made a positive impact in the community such as Hear Me, Rota Sonduru Sajje, Kris Kringle, Rota Tommorow and Yaluwa.

Yaluwa was one of the projects organized by the RID 3220 and I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to work for that because of our super talented President Rtr. Kisal Ekanayake. In the 2022-23 year I was elected as a Co-Director of the Internatinal Service (IS) Avenue, and again I should specially mention and express my gratitude to Tharinduni Akki for motivating me to apply for the positions and the selecting committee along with Kisal Ayya for selecting me. It’s because of y’all I’m here today.

Through it, I had the opportunity to develop leadership qualities, which is one of the most rewarding aspects of my Rotaract journey. Whether organizing fundraisers, coordinating community events, or spearheading awareness campaigns, each role has pushed me out of my comfort zone and honed my leadership skills. Working alongside fellow Rotaractors, I discovered the true meaning of teamwork and the collective power of dedicated individuals striving towards a shared vision. Along with me, the IS avenue has done nearly 200 letterhead exchanges for the first time in RACUOK history and many more projects such as DHAARA, Zoom In and Bonds Beyond Boundaries.

In RIY 2022-23 there was Rota Tommorow 3.0 and I mentored one team out of 12 teams. I also awarded as the 1st Runner-up of Most Outstanding Mentor and also my team was awarded too. I am very happy that I could handle my team to do an impactful project and also to achieve victories as a mentor. Rotaract isn’t just about service; it’s about building lasting connections. The friendships forged within the organization have become a source of inspiration and support. The sense of belonging to a global network has expanded my worldview, fostering a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and the universality of human kindness.

Through my Rotaract journey, I’ve not only contributed to positive change in my community but also undergone a personal evolution. The experiences, challenges, and triumphs have shaped me into a more empathetic, resilient, and socially conscious individual. Even I do not continue on this transformative path, I hope to inspire my colleagues and juniors to join this beautiful family of support and love through the experiences of my Rotaract journey.

Viva La Rotaract!