In the truest sense of the word, “THEIR VOICE | ඔවුන්ගේ හඬ” represents a movement built on courage, compassion, and the right to be heard. It is more than a community service initiative—it is a commitment to break the silence surrounding menstrual health, STD prevention, and mental well-being, particularly within rural communities of Sri Lanka.
This initiative is carried out by the Community Service Avenue of the Rotaract Club of the University of Kelaniya. It envisions a society where health education is not a privilege but a right, and where young people are empowered with knowledge that shapes confident, informed, and healthier futures. By creating safe spaces for dialogue, the project aims to remove stigma and normalize conversations that are often left unspoken.
With the inspiration drawn from earlier community efforts, THEIR VOICE | ඔවුන්ගේ හඬ continues to grow as a two-phase journey of impact, connecting education, healthcare support, and long-term community engagement. Let us take a closer look at the meaningful journey we carried out through this initiative.
This impactful project consisted of two major phases, each reflecting our commitment to awareness, empowerment, and accessible healthcare services.
Phase 01: Awareness, Dialogue, and School-Based Empowerment
This phase marked the beginning of a meaningful transformation where silence was replaced with understanding, awareness, and confidence. On 25th May 2026, awareness sessions were successfully conducted at selected rural schools with the aim of educating students on menstrual health and hygiene and puberty-related mental well-being.
The initiative was implemented across the following schools:
- Dimiyawa Maha Vidyalaya
- Palawela Maha Vidyalaya
During these sessions, students were encouraged to openly engage in discussions regarding personal health and emotional well-being in a safe and supportive environment. To further support their daily well-being, sanitary napkins were distributed among students. In addition, sanitary stations were established within the schools to ensure continuous access to menstrual hygiene support and to promote healthier school environments for young girls.
This phase laid a strong foundation of trust, education, and empowerment within the community. More importantly, it helped normalize conversations that are often considered sensitive, encouraging individuals to seek support and knowledge without fear or shame.
Phase 02: Strengthening Healthcare Systems through Equipment Donation
Phase 02 of “THEIR VOICE | ඔවුන්ගේ හඬ” focused on strengthening the capacity of healthcare institutions that serve vulnerable communities. While awareness and education are essential, we recognized that sustainable healthcare support also depends on proper infrastructure, adequate resources, and efficient healthcare services.
This phase was dedicated specifically to supporting Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) clinics, which play a vital role in prevention, diagnosis, counseling, and treatment services. Many of these clinics operate under limited resources, affecting their ability to provide timely and effective care. Addressing this need became one of the key priorities of our initiative.
Through this phase, essential medical equipment was donated to improve the operational capacity of STD clinics and enhance the quality of healthcare services provided to patients. This contribution aimed to:
- Strengthen diagnostic and treatment facilities within STD clinics
- Support healthcare professionals in delivering efficient and dignified patient care
- Improve accessibility and responsiveness of sexual health services
- Encourage individuals to seek timely medical support by reducing stigma surrounding STD clinics
This phase was successfully carried out through two key implementations:
- Phase 2.1 – Equipment Donation to STD Clinic, Ragama (Completed on 24th of February 026)
- Phase 2.2 – Equipment Donation to STD Clinic, Gampaha (Completed on 2nd of May 2026)
Beyond the physical donations, this phase represented a deeper commitment toward bridging the gap between awareness and action. By supporting healthcare institutions, “THEIR VOICE | ඔවුන්ගේ හඬ” ensured that individuals encouraged to seek medical support through awareness programs were met with improved, reliable, and compassionate healthcare services.
This phase stood as a reminder that creating social impact is not limited to conversations alone, but also requires practical and sustainable contributions toward strengthening healthcare systems within our communities.
Team THEIR VOICE | ඔවුන්ගේ හඬ: United by Purpose, Driven by Compassion
As we reflect on the journey of THEIR VOICE | ඔවුන්ගේ හඬ, what stands out most is not only the impact created within schools and healthcare settings, but also the unity, dedication, and friendships built throughout the project.
Behind this initiative was a passionate organizing committee from the Community Service Avenue, united by a shared vision of creating meaningful social change through awareness, education, and compassionate service. From planning meetings to field visits in schools and clinics, every achievement was made possible through teamwork, commitment, and collective effort.
More than organizers, the team became facilitators of change—working tirelessly to coordinate awareness sessions, organize healthcare support initiatives, and create safe spaces for conversations that matter. Throughout the journey, each member contributed their unique strengths, including leadership, creativity, communication, and coordination, which strengthened the success of the project.
In particular, Vice President Rtr. Pahan Pinmal and the Directors of Community Service Avenue, Rtr. Chamodi Gamage and Rtr. Dinithi Abeywickrama, provided continuous guidance, motivation, and leadership throughout all phases of the initiative.
Throughout this Rotaract journey, we learned that true impact is created when compassion meets action. THEIR VOICE | ඔවුන්ගේ හඬ was more than just a project—it was a platform that gave voice to important conversations, empowered communities with knowledge, and strengthened access to healthcare support. As we move forward, we carry not only the legacy of this initiative, but also the friendships, experiences, and shared purpose that made it truly meaningful.
