Word at first, but now it’s a part of my life that has shaped who I am. I began my journey with Rotaract in the 2023/2024 term, with Roshan aiya and Akshana akka leading the way as President and Secretary. To be honest, when I first joined, I knew next to nothing about what Rotaract was truly about. One of my closest friends was already part of the club, and I wanted to join simply to spend more time with that person. So, I chose Club Service as my avenue, not knowing that this simple decision would be the beginning of an incredible journey.

I still remember the orientation day, conducted online. I was at my boarding place, sitting in front of my laptop, listening to people talk about the club, its avenues, and its projects. I recall the past director of Club Service saying, “Club Service is the heart of the club.” It struck a chord with me; it made me curious to learn more and be part of something meaningful. Soon enough, the first organizing committee was called for the 13th Installation Ceremony, the first project of Club Service. I applied and got selected as the Secretary. But there was a catch—I didn’t know anything about documentation. It was tough at first, but I learned. I connected with people, found my first group of friends outside my department, and slowly began to understand what it meant to be part of something bigger than myself. I learned how to write proper letters, craft project reports, understand the purpose of documentation, and, most importantly, how to deal with people and get things done—even if that sometimes meant arguments and misunderstandings. Together, we made it happen, and that feeling of accomplishment was unmatched.

The next project, Christinzel’23, a Christmas project, saw me stepping into the role of Event and Logistics Coordinator. This time, I learned how to plan a project from A to Z—what needed to be gathered, how to proceed, and how to tackle challenges as they came. Slowly but surely, Rotaract was building me up—shaping my personality, planning skills, and leadership qualities.

Next came Rota Wasantha Udanaya, where I worked again as an Event and Logistics Coordinator. But I couldn’t just limit myself to my role. I supported every end of the project because I had a goal—to one day become a leader in the club and handle projects independently. My passion grew stronger with each experience.

Then there was the beautiful Diwali project—a collaboration with the Kandy club. This project allowed me to connect with people outside our club, expanding my network and perspective. By the last quarter of the year, I was selected as the Team Leader for the Member Relations Avenue. This was my chance to learn another avenue and develop leadership further. I got the responsibility of handling Rota Tomorrow, one of the biggest events we had. It was challenging, but our team delivered one of the best events with sheer effort and unity.

My hard work and dedication paid off. With the beginning of my second year, I achieved something I had dreamed of—I was appointed as the Co-Director of the Regional Engagement Avenue of the Rotaract Club for the 2024/2025 term. That day, during the installation ceremony, when my name was announced, I felt a surge of pride and gratitude. This was my club repaying the hard work and passion I poured into every project. With the new position came new responsibilities. This was the year I learned PR work, something I never thought I would do. Designing and handling public relations for my avenue added another skill to my set. Under my co-director Ishini and me, we successfully completed four new projects: Edu Bridge, Coast Guard, Jingle Joyland, and Haritha Siripa. All of them were initiated this year and became successful milestones. Among them, Haritha Siripa was a massive project that we are proud to have pioneered. I believe it will be a lasting project for the next generation of leaders.

I also had the opportunity to mentor a team in the Rota Tomorrow competition. Through Agro Acres, we created something special, something that made me incredibly proud of my team and the work we did together.

And now, with just one project left—Piyawara—I feel a sense of accomplishment. I have made countless friends from various clubs, communities, universities, and even different districts. Rotaract has been more than just a club for me; it has been a family, a place where I grew, learned, and transformed. As I reflect on my journey, I am forever grateful to Rotaract. It has made me a stronger, more skilled, and confident leader. It even helped me during my first job interview—the experiences and skills I gained were priceless.

I want to thank Rtr. Gangadaran, who first invited me to this beautiful family. To Rtr. Roshan Rathnayake and Rtr. Akshana Wikramasinghe for believing in me, to Rtr. Disandi Nikagoda and Rtr. Janali for supporting me during my time as a team leader, and to our President Rtr. Vihanga Divyanjana for trusting me to be part of the director board. A special thanks to my co-director Rtr. Ishini Fernando and Ovelooking Exco Rtr. Dinithi Thilakarathne for being my rock throughout this journey.

And of course, to the most precious person in my life—thank you for always being there for me.

Rotaract gave me a purpose, a platform to grow, and memories I will cherish forever. For that, I am endlessly grateful.

Viva la Rotaract!