The Joy of Service: A Rotaract Journey of Transformation

I would like to start by sharing the story of my Rotaract journey. One of the most cherished folders in my phone gallery is dedicated to my Rota family, filled with photos that reflect the eagerness and love with which I embarked on this journey. My Rotaract journey began in my first year of university. The most important part of this journey has been my dear Rotaract family. They were the first friends I made in university, and the bonds formed at the beginning grew stronger.

I have been very happy since starting as a general member and then becoming an assistant secretary. I remember during the installation ceremony of our senior board, I thought that the next time, I would be a member of the Rotaract board, just like these sisters in the installation ceremony.

Joining this Rotaract club is all about volunteering, which is exactly what I wanted because I have a strong interest in it. Throughout our Rotaract year, we have completed numerous projects. Among all the projects, my favourite was the project “Healing Hearts.”. Actually, I was hoping to find relief for my heart through volunteer work. The happiness we experience after helping others is truly inexpressible.

I was not the only one appointed as Assistant Secretary; Lihini Jayawardhana also served as Co-Assistant Secretary. If I may say something about her, I believe we fulfilled this position enthusiastically, as we shared the tasks very cordially.

Remember, being a part of the Rotaract Club offers much more than just volunteering. It’s an opportunity to develop essential skills and grow as an individual. My role in the Rotaract Club allowed me to develop strong leadership skills. Assisting the Secretary and occasionally stepping into their role required me to make quick decisions, resolve conflicts, and inspire others. These experiences were instrumental in building my confidence and ability to lead with empathy and integrity. I learned that effective leadership is not about authority but about fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute their best. Balancing my academic responsibilities with my duties in the Rotaract Club was undoubtedly challenging, but it taught me the importance of time management and prioritization. The skills I developed in juggling multiple tasks and meeting deadlines have been invaluable in my academic and personal lives.

There are a few people who need to be remembered with love during this journey. The first one is my secretary, Bhagya. She was kind enough to understand certain tasks that I was not able to do, and she deserves credit for her contribution to the club. The other two important ones to remember are our President Jehan and Vice President Hiruni. I will never forget the trust they placed in me and their kindness since the beginning of my journey. I remember how happy they were when I informed them that I had been appointed to this position. It was a blessing enough to give me the strength to pursue this position of Assistant Secretary. Hey there! Just a friendly reminder to my wonderful Exco and BOD members: you guys are the most entertaining friends I have ever met in my uni life. I am grateful to have you all.

My service as the Assistant Secretary of the Rotaract Club at the Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, has been an enriching experience. It has been a journey of growth, learning, and giving back to the community. I am proud of what we have achieved as a team.

– Rtr. Nirodha Hettiarachchi