Joining Rotaract turned out to be one of the most unexpected journeys of my life, yet it became one of its greatest blessings.

If someone had told me during my first year at university that I would one day work on meaningful projects, travel with friends, step far beyond what I was used to and find a second family through a university organization, I would have simply smiled and said, “That doesn’t sound like me.”

Back then, my university life was quiet and predictable. I attended lectures, completed assignments and returned home once the day ended. My parents were quite protective, so going out alone was never something I was used to. Most of my days revolved around academics, departmental activities and a familiar routine that rarely changed. To be honest, Rotaract was never part of my plan. It felt like just another university club existing somewhere in the background of university life.

I joined Rotaract in the 2024-25 term as a General Member along with my friend, Rtr. Chamodya. What started as a simple decision later became one of the most impactful choices of my university journey. I naturally found my place in the International Service Avenue, which quietly marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Orientation Day’25 was a turning point. It was the moment university life felt more alive, more connected and more purposeful. From that point, I stopped being just an observer and slowly became part of something meaningful.

And that is how my Rotaract journey quietly began.

My first project was Merge 2.0, a hybrid conference organized by the International Service Avenue. I served as an ER Coordinator and as my very first project, it gave me valuable exposure to project coordination and helped me gain practical experience in teamwork and execution.

Soon after, I became a part of Project Ekhos of Ceylon, a tourism development project. Through this project, I served as both an ER Coordinator and a Translator. As a German translator, I was able to contribute towards showcasing Sri Lanka’s hidden gems, culture and stories to a wider audience. Being able to present the beauty of my own country to the world made this experience especially meaningful.

Beyond responsibilities, Ekhos of Ceylon gifted me unforgettable memories. The Madu River trip and Ahangama trip remain among my most cherished experiences.

More importantly, this project taught me independence. Travelling without my parents was a significant milestone for me. Convincing them took more effort than the project itself, but eventually, I stepped into an experience that shaped my confidence, responsibility and self-growth in ways I never expected.

Among all my first year experiences, EvolveX 1.0, conducted under Rota Tomorrow 5.0, remains one of the most unexpected highlights. It was a gaming project that introduced me to Team 8 and became a defining chapter of my Rotaract journey.

Initially, I had no intention of taking a position and was comfortable as a team member. However, our Team Leader, Rtr. Chamodya, convinced me and after much hesitation, I accepted the role of MR Coordinator. Looking back, that decision turned out to be a blessing in disguise in my Rotaract journey.

As a team, our hard work paid off when we secured Second Runner-Up at Rota Tomorrow 5.0, and EvolveX was also recognized at the district level as the Emerging Project of the Year – Gold Award (RI Year 2024-25). These achievements reflected the dedication and effort of everyone involved.

EvolveX introduced me to many wonderful people such as Rtr. Pawan, Rtr. Bhagya, Rtr. Mahen, and Rtr. Bavidu. I am also grateful to Rtr. Kaveesha, my MR partner, for his support, coordination and the many memorable moments we shared throughout the project.

Beyond the achievements, what stayed with me most were the friendships formed. One of them was with Rtr. Sachini, which started during the project and grew into a meaningful bond in my Rotaract journey.

Among all memories, Rota Wasantha Udanaya’25 holds a special place in my heart. It was not about roles or responsibilities, it was simply a moment where everything felt right. Some memories do not need explanation; they just stay with you.

Throughout my first year, I was fortunate to be guided and supported by many amazing individuals. My sincere gratitude goes to IS Directors Rtr. Lihini, Rtr. Ruvinath Aiya and Vice President Rtr. Himaz for their constant support and guidance. I would also like to thank Rtr. Ishini Akkie, Rtr. Vidun, Rtr. Ashmi, Rtr. Jithmini, Rtr. Navoda Akkie, Rtr. Diduli Akkie, Rtr. Tashma and Rtr. Namuni Akkie. Through small conversations and continuous encouragement, they became part of my earliest Rotaract memories.

As my first year came to an end, I found myself at a crossroads. With increasing academic pressure, I seriously considered stepping away from Rotaract. However, with encouragement from several people, I decided to take a new step and applied for the Board of Directors. That decision led me to serve as Co-Editor of the Editorial Avenue 25-26. A heartfelt thank you to Rtrn. Rtr. Himantha and Rtr. Delishia for trusting me with this opportunity.

From that point onward, my life slowly shifted into a world filled with captions, articles, letters, chronicles, blog posts and creative writing. The RACUOK Blog became almost like another half of my journey.

One of the most memorable beginnings of this journey was our first gathering at Mee Aba Sewana. Five different personalities came together in one space and something unexpectedly special was formed that day. From then on, the Editorial Avenue didn’t feel like just a team but slowly became like a small family. Like any family, we had our challenges; deadlines, pressure, confusion and occasional chaos but somehow, things always found their way back to normal.

Our Senior Editor, Rtr. Zamra, naturally became the elder sister figure of our little family, a lovely soul who was always busy, yet always present when it mattered. She also became my closest Muslim friend and someone I truly cherish as a sister. Rtr. Deepna, our EXCO Ma’am, was the one who always had solutions ready for everything. However, when it came to blog-related messages, things were a little different. Every notification from her brought a small moment of panic.. “Okay… what needs fixing now?” but she was genuinely one of the kindest and most supportive people I met. Then there is Rtr. Sachini, whom I first met through EvolveX and later again in Editorial Avenue. She remained both a troublemaker and “advice aththamma,” while also serving as the unofficial drama queen and trip planner of our team. And finally, Rtr. Mandira.. calm, innocent and the peaceful soul of the Editorial Avenue… until her “switch” turned on. The moment certain names entered the conversation, the calmness disappeared and a completely different side appeared.

A special mention also goes to our “podi editors”, the Team Leaders of the Editorial Avenue: Rtr. Naska, Rtr. Kaushalya, Rtr. Manuthi and Rtr. Amna. They became an inseparable part of the avenue, contributing far beyond their official roles. Throughout the year, they supported us through projects, challenges and countless moments that shaped our journey. Their dedication and presence played a key role in strengthening both the Editorial Avenue and our bond as a team.

As our bond within the Editorial Avenue grew stronger, we also stepped into one of its most defining creative milestones: Writing Maze 3.0, the signature project of the Editorial Avenue, marked the first major creative highlight of this journey. This time, it was conducted as the launch of a poetry collection book, bringing together around 20 Rotaract and Interact clubs. The event beautifully combined a book launch with an Open Mic session, set in a warm, fairy-evening atmosphere. Being part of such a creatively rich and collaborative experience is something I will always be truly grateful for.

While Writing Maze 3.0 reflected the creative side of my journey, it soon led me into a more impactful and emotional experience through Mentora. Mentora, a community service project conducted in collaboration with the RE Avenue, became one of the most impactful experiences of my journey. Through this project, I was able to work closely with the children of Rathmalana Deaf School, the “little flowers” who became the heart of this entire experience. The joy, connection and emotions shared throughout this project left a lasting impression on me and the final satisfaction I gained from it was truly immense.

Throughout this six-month journey, I had the opportunity to work with Rtr. Eranda, who was one of the most supportive project partners I have met. At times, he also felt like a big brother figure. There were many sleepless nights filled with PPTs, late-night discussions and continuous planning, but every moment was worth it in the end. Despite the challenges, the project came together successfully. I am truly grateful to Eranda, who remained a supportive and responsible partner throughout the journey.

At the same time, A heartfelt thanks also goes to my sweetest OC; Hiranya, kaushalya, Devindi, Narmada, Thilini, Manuthi, Sithruwani, Dinehsa, Kirush, Amna, Fhaika, Uthpala, Danushan, Inuri, Tanuri and Suneth. To be completely honest, you are probably the cutest Organizing Committee I have ever worked with. Some days, you felt like younger siblings and every one of you brought joy, energy and warmth into this journey. And every single one of you made this chapter of my Rotaract journey brighter, happier and far more memorable.

After this deeply meaningful experience, I was once again given the opportunity to contribute in a more structured and professional environment through Career Fair 2026, organized in collaboration with the Career Guidance Unit of University of Kelaniya. I served as an editor for this, which allowed me to work alongside Rtr. Kareema, Rtr. Hiranya, Rtr. Narmada and Rtr. Halana in a smooth and collaborative process.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the IT Avenue and Digital Media Avenue for their continuous support throughout this journey. I would also like to sincerely thank Rtr. Mahen Aiya for his patience with all the blog-related questions from Deepna and me.

I am equally grateful to the members of the Digital Media Avenue for handling my many flyer requests with so much patience and understanding, even when they were sometimes quite last minute.

Beyond roles and responsibilities, Rotaract also gifted me friendships that became an important part of my life. Rtr. Gayan and Rtr. Sahula Aiya hold a very special place in my journey. What started as simple connections through Ekhos of Ceylon gradually grew stronger through Writing Maze, Mentora and many shared experiences. Over time, they became not just teammates but travel partners, support systems and two of the most meaningful friendships I gained through Rotaract.

I would also like to take a moment to thank all the EXCO members and members of the Board of Directors of the 25-26 term (Rottas 7.0), along with every Rotaractor who became part of this journey. Whether through encouragement, support, friendship or simply sharing a conversation, each of you added something valuable to my Rotaract experience.

Beyond positions and projects, Rotaract taught me confidence, communication, responsibility and the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone. More importantly, it taught me that growth begins when we say yes to opportunities we are not fully ready for.

Looking back, the person who entered Orientation Day and the person I am today are completely different and I am truly grateful for that transformation.

As these experiences came together, I began to truly understand how deeply Rotaract had shaped my university life. It gave me leadership, confidence, opportunities, friendships and above all, a second family.

My mother often says, “Your university life is basically Rotaract,” and she is absolutely right. Because when I reflect on my journey, most of my most meaningful memories lead me back here to RACUOK. Before closing this journey, I would like to thank one final person, Rtr. Vihanga Aiya. His words during Orientation Day stayed with me far longer than I ever expected and perhaps quietly influenced the path I chose.

And now, as I reach the end of this journey, one truth remains: Rotaract was never part of my plan. But it became one of the most beautiful parts of my life.

Thank you, RACUOK, for every lesson, every challenge, every friendship and every memory. Thank you for becoming home.

Once a Rotaractor, always a Rotaractor

Viva la Rotaract! 💙