“Akhankara” the signature Community Service project, which is annually organized by the Rotaract Club of Faculty of Science, University of Colombo with the desire to provide quality education to destitute children of our community as well as to support them in achieving their dreams and goals.
Akhankara 2017- Phase I was carried out as a series of seminars for the students of Illukovita Kanishta Vidyalaya targeting their O/L Examination. Illukovita Kanishta Vidyalaya is located in Thummodara, a small village in Avissawella. Despite all the hectic bustling city, this school is situated in a calm, serene village amidst wonderful greenery.
Apart from this spectacular surrounding, we were able to witness the hospitality and generosity of the people of the village who always welcomed us with love. No matter what difficulties they had to undergo in their lives, the humanity and the compassionate nature of them always amazed us. The Principal of the school was an admirable character indeed. I think he is the main source of strength and the main inspiration of all the students. The way he treats the students and the way he struggles to uplift the school to a better standard is truly remarkable. Without his support I don’t think we could have ever completed our project with such a success.
There were 25 students in the O/L class and we were getting along with them from the very first day itself. We could see how glad and excited they were to see us and it was the same for us as well. Our main aim was to cover the basic fundamentals of the three main subjects Science, Mathematics and English. It wasn’t supposed to be merely teaching to a group of kids, but we wanted to build up something more than that with them since we didn’t want to be another particular set of teachers but to be their sisters and brothers who could help them and support them in every possible way.
Within about a month’s time, we were able to cover the fundamentals of the subjects and then they were revised by doing a series of model papers in order to build up their level of confidence to face the exam. By conducting the seminars for nearly two and a half months we got the chance to get to know them better and I’m sure that we all did the maximum we could do to make them ready for their exam. Since we got their feedback often we were able to make slight changes in our teaching plan accordingly.
So finally when the due date for the exam was near, it wasn’t only them who were excited. Apart from them being ready to write their exam, we made sure that they were mentally ready as well. Since it was quite a busy, restless time period for the students we thought of making the last week of the seminar session somewhat an enjoyable one. It truly was a pleasing day with all of us relishing each and every moment. Not to forget that, it was the day we saw how talented those kids were. It was rather unexpected to see them perform in singing and dancing with such a passion and vibe. Thus, with all those happy memories, the bond we had towards them just grew. Seeing their smiling faces made us recall our past treasures in life.
Leaving them in the last week was not that easy for any of us. We very badly wanted to have another day spent with them. So as a result with everyone’s urge, including the Principal we were able to make plans for a one day trip after their exam giving us hope and enthusiasm. We took them on a tour around the University of Colombo, to Ratmalana Airport Museum and Mount Lavinia beach. With that the first phase of Akhankhara 2017 came to an end.
Written by Rtr. Gayasha Kavindi
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