Project Sewa; a joint initiative between the Rotaract Clubs of K.C. College India and Informatics Institute of Technology was revived on the 20th of December 2022. Tanisha, the director of International Services, Meet Jain, the Secretary and Jamshed the immediate past President and Treasurer, were the three enthusiastic individuals from RCKC India who visited Sri Lanka. Upon their arrival, five Rotaractors from IIT warmly welcomed the group. They enjoyed a meal of milk rice before setting off to Galle, with high hopes to partake in a remarkable community service project in Sri Lanka.

The Rotaractors wandered the streets of Galle Fort, where they were enthralled by the small trinkets being sold in the shops. After enjoying a wonderful cup of Lankan tea, the group headed to a member’s house, where they stayed the night. The next morning, they traveled to Kandy by train, where they engaged in many thrilling activities such as visiting Sri Dalada Maligawa, taking a boat trip, watching a snake charmer perform and visiting the beautiful and memorable Peradeniya Gardens. After a long day of making memories, the group then continued on to Nuwara Eliya, where they spent the night at a prearranged venue.

On the 22nd, the Rotaractors traveled to Horton Plains, where they visited the strawberry and Ambewela farms among other places as they explored Nuwara Eliya. After spending a day exchanging stories and experiences on a variety of topics, the group boarded a bus for Colombo. On the following day, the Rotaractors traveled by bus and revisited Galle, where they had an amazing scuba diving experience. Once the group returned back to Colombo they visited Nelum Pokuna and later went to bowl at Colombo City Centre.

On December 24th, at a combined general meeting, with the other RCKC members who had joined via online, the Rotaractors of K.C. College India and Informatics Institute of Technology, exchanged physical letterheads. After the cultural exchange, the Rotaractors visited the beach clean up near the PET bottle christmas tree and later shopped at CCC. Finally, the group made arrangements to carry out physical letterhead exchanges with two other clubs before departing for the airport.

In conclusion, Project Sewa has depicted the power of community service and its great impact of cultural exchange on both local communities and the participants themselves. This joint initiative has brought to light the many things to be appreciated in one’s culture. The experiences and spirit of Project Sewa will be remembered for many years to come.

Written by : Rtr. Kamalika Githanjali Seneviratne