It was a year of suspense and disbelief when everything surpassed the so-called ‘normal’ up to that day. A pandemic was wreaking havoc outside and I was a first-year undergraduate at a university 100 kilometres away from my hometown. I had never set foot in university but the lectures continued online and my friends were looking for fun and a new place to fit in. This is when I found my first ever club to join in my whole university life, the Rotaract Club of University of Kelaniya which I joined in 2021.
Not knowing much about how clubs and organizations work at the university, I was eager to explore. I first joined the Professional Development Avenue as the main avenue and Editorial as the Technical Avenue. Although I was not very active as a member of the main avenue, my passion for writing made me contribute excitedly to the Editorial team. I enjoyed working as a content writer and this is where I got to write for my first ever magazine “Athena”, a magazine aimed at women’s empowerment. I was so proud to see one of my articles published in the magazine and it motivated me to do more with my writing, to which I am forever grateful. Also, this year gave me a chance to join my first-ever RotaTomorrow project, “Green Escape” which allowed me to have experience and exposure to see how work is done in Rotaract.
Moving to my 2nd Rotaract year, I changed my main avenue to International Service as I was determined to actively participate in main avenue work this time. At International Service Avenue I got the chance to join several projects as an editor. It was Rtr. Dinithi Lorensuhewa, one of the IS directors at the time, who I would like to thank sincerely for inspiring me to join the projects. This is the year where I got my first nomination as an Enthusiastic member for the month of December. Also, I contributed to several magazines and projects such as “Beyond”, “Career Fair” and “Chronicles” being a member in the Editorial. A special thanks goes to Rtr. Rahma Zhuri, the senior editor at the time, for motivating me to work on the projects while inspiring me to become a director of Editorial Avenue today. When I was not even thinking of applying for the director board in Rotaract, she was the one who made me apply and one who inspired me to believe in myself.
Next, the Rotaract Year 2023/24 was a turning point in my Rotaract journey, working as a director for Editorial Avenue. Although the workload was tough and it was not an easy ride, with my dearest the senior editor and co-editors I was able to learn a lot and perform my duties and responsibilities. This is a place where I learnt the right way by making mistakes, and correcting them with exposure and experience while learning from them. There were chances when I doubted my capabilities, but Rotaract never gave up on me and I never gave up on Rotaract as well.
One of my biggest regrets for the journey would be my lack of participation in physical events. Although I enjoyed and made many friends along the way, this one regret still lies with me. If you are still reading my story, maybe a bit bored by now, I am happy if you remember just one thing from this whole reading. If you are still hesitant thinking that you are not good enough to do something, try and see, and you will definitely find your way out there.
