Gratitude, Personal Growth and a Bunch of Memories

Being a member of the Rotaract Club and proudly calling myself a Rotaractor was a never thought and never expected vision of mine. Being an extreme introvert and never having the courage and the opportunity to express myself and prove my capabilities, I never had the confidence to join a club at the university and get together with people, and work with them. However, when I heard about Rotaract through my elder sister who was a member of the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Science, I thought it would be amazing to get that experience, and one thing that my sister told me before my enrollment was to never just stick to academics, and enjoy my stay and take all the experiences I can get, as I’ll never get those experiences if not at university.

After University started I got registered as a member, but I was just a viewer of the messages received on the WhatsApp group, as the introvert in me never let my confidence win. I looked at my fellow colleagues at Rotaract being so professional and leading projects all while having fun with awe, as I couldn’t bring myself to open up and interact with them, though I badly wanted to be a part of it. I stupidly thought that one needed a special ability and a talent just to be courageous and take the lead and the responsibility. But by the end of the first semester of first year, with some encounters out of my comfort friend group due to academic stuff, I learnt that there is more to learn just by interacting with other colleagues and working with them. And so, I determined to get more active in the Rotaract Club and change my own backward personality, as the Rotaract Club was the only club I saw as capable of bringing a professional change.

A special gratitude should go to my dear friend Tharushi, who motivated me to apply for projects and be a part of the Rotaract family, and notifying me when the OC applications were open for the project Blue Horizon – the very first project I participated in. I suppose, fate has its own ways of changing one’s life, as I co-chaired the project with Vibavi. Vibavi has also remained a great part, and a constant supporter in my Rotaract journey. The trust she had upon me, and the support she gave throughout the project, brought me so far, as far as to be the Assistant Secretary for the RI year 2024-25. Lochana akki and Buddhi akki have also played a significant role in my Rotaract journey, for trusting me and handing over the chair position of the project, and giving me the chance, even though I had zero experiences. Hence, I should say that Blue Horizon was the game changer in my life. With the recognition I got through it, I began to see myself through a new perspective and love myself a little more.

Also, a special thanks should go to Lochana akki, for motivating me to apply for the new Board, when I had given up on it, because of the lack of experience I had than others. And so, my life as the Assistant Secretary began, and I’m always filled with gratitude towards Baagya akki for trusting me with the position, and Nirodha akki for guiding me.

Starting off with a bit of insecurities and inferior complexities, I have come a long way, and now I’m filled with a bittersweet feeling, at the end of the year. Of course, I’m a bit relieved, now that my responsibilities as an EXCO member at the club is coming to an end, but I’m also a little sad as I loved every bit of it, and all the lessons, challenges, experiences, memories and friendships I got through it. From learning many new things day by day, the experience I got is invaluable, and it would not have been possible to hang in without my support system at the club.  Thank you Vibhavee for trusting me with the position and believing in my capabilities, even though we were total strangers at the beginning. Being the Assistant Secretary wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing Secretary, Barani, and I’m always so grateful for your unwavering support, and the friendship we built. And also, the special friendships I built through the club, Yenuli, Ayadi, Senali; you guys will also be special encounters in my life. All other board members of the club have also been special to me in their own ways, and I’ll cherish those memories with me forever.

Looking back, my Rotaract journey has been a rollercoaster ride; it was never easy, but now I have a bunch of memories and experiences that will shape my life forever. It was not just about organizing events and projects, and documentation, but also interactions with a pool of people, and personal growth. The most valuable lessons I learnt, from balancing my work, meeting deadlines, keeping a straight mind in midst of all the academic stress, taking responsibilities, voicing my opinions to stand on my own, were all because of Rotaract. And now at the end of my second year, I have a different story to tell to my friends, a story which is way more different than just attending lectures, doing assignments and sitting for exams, and I can proudly say that I haven’t lived my university life in vain. Thus, I believe, stepping out of my comfort zone, and taking up challenges saw a whole new transformation in me, and I’m always grateful for the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts for that invaluable experience.

So yeah…that’s me Senara De Silva, and it’s been a pleasure to work as the Assistant Secretary of Rotaract Club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts for the RI year 2024-25.

Viva La Rotaract

-Rtr. Senara De Silva (Assistant Secretary, 2024/25)