“You were never created to live depressed, defeated, guilt, condemned, ashamed or unworthy. You were created to be victorious.”
Cyril Waas Centre for Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation is a true home and a heavenly environment for these rehabilitants who have overshadowed their lives with drugs and alcohol. Cyril Waas Centre located in Wennappuwa is capable of attracting any pair of eyes who visit there due to its natural serene. This centre is well maintained by the 18 people who are sheltered under the Cyril Waas roof.
Even I was a bit hesitant and curious when we were told we’ll be visiting a rehabilitation centre. However the visit was nothing close to what we imagined it would be and it surprised the majority of us. This experience was quite new to most of our Rotaractors. When we stepped into the centre we were cordially welcomed by them and thereafter we got the tempting opportunity of listening to their life stories. They were gloomy and dingy but we were happy as they were able to find one silver ray, which is the Cyril Waas Centre, in their cloudy sky of life. The amicable chat went on and on as a stream flowing with no hesitation fueled by their friendliness and humour. Their life stories revealed well about the cruel society, but as everybody knows “No one can clap with one hand”.
It is a critical point to think of the many youngsters that are addicted to deluxe set of drugs. How and why? The answer is a riddle for me. Is that because of the ignorance of their parents? Influence of disguised companions? Hypocrisy of the society? Or anything else. ‘You decide, I report’.
Majority of rehabilitants were reporting about their past life but currently they have succeeded and ensured the longevity of their lives because of the kind guidance of the Cyril Waas Centre. They were frank enough to share their lives with us Rotaractors and convinced us that they are also a part of the community. They taught us the inevitable lesson of life in one aspect, how one small action of wanting to try something new and harmless can change one’s life completely. ‘Addicton and the struggle behind it is not a social stigma, Ignorance is!’
Time flew by and before we knew it the evening sun signaled us, but yet our interactions were not finished. We were fortunate enough to sing and play volleyball with them. Their faces emphasized the innocence of their hearts and the smiles were truly an inspiration to us. It was a memorable day for us indeed as this was an opportunity not each and every one of us would get.
A club project will not be complete without a little fun. At the rehabilitation centre itself we engaged in an Icebreaker session where we quite literally had to break ice brought out the aggression and competitiveness in our Rotaractors. Ultimately the basis of this game became not building the tallest puddle of ice, but stealing and breaking down of other teams’ towers. We will not be the Rotaract Club of Faculty of Science, University of Colombo if we go somewhere close to the beach and not actually go to the beach. So after bidding farewell to the Cyril Waas Centre, Browns beach was our destination. The members enjoyed the beach and playing with the waves while some did not hesitate to get fully drenched. A few games played in the beach showcased the devious ways of our Rotaractors and paved the way for the members to bond with each other disregarding any differences.
This marked the end of a long but worthy day for our Rotaractors who learnt the critical lesson of “Every day is a second chance” from those illuminated lives in the Cyril Waas Centre as shimmering stars in the night sky.
~ Written by Rtr. Kaushalya Perera ~
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