We’re only halfway through 2020 and this year has already proved to be quite the challenge. Right now the entire world would find solidarity in the statement, ‘Life never goes according to plan’. Especially with the pandemic that’s prevailing at the moment, it certainly does feel like the Universe is settling a score. Life as we know it has changed and may never be the same again. No exceptions, the coronavirus conundrum even posed turbulence on our smooth sailing club events by putting a damper on several Rotaract activities and projects this year. So how did we make the most out of this situation? One word-lemonade.
“Lemonade”
There’s all that jazz on how we’re supposed to “make lemonade when life gives us lemons”. However, it felt more like lemons were being hurtled our way. In full force at that. Despite the inconveniences, we Rotaractors, do not idly stand by even when the world has been turned upside down. And guess what? We made lemonade, squeezing every last drop out of all that lemon thrown our way. Take our word for it, we made the most refreshing lemony goodness you’ll ever taste! We made an effort to proceed against all odds, made a difference and it would be fair to say that we were successful. With a positive outlook, we took the Rotaract platform online, unearthing the possibilities of the virtual world.
Over the course of 2 months, from April to June, we have conducted many online projects, covering avenues from environment to community service, from club services to public and international relations. It was a detour from the mainstream onto something a bit more different, unique yet exciting all the same. With the 2019/20 Rotaract term coming to an end, let’s run through what the club has accomplished throughout the quarantine season, one last time.
“We love the Earth. It is our planet…”
The mushrooming environmental concerns and need for awareness spurred our various environmental projects into action, focusing on the promotion of eco-consciousness and the sustenance of the health of the planet.
Commemorating 50 years of Rotaract, we celebrated Earth with Glow Green, a 2-phase project, where we encouraged tree-planting among our fellow Rotaractors and advocated the significance of tree-planting through expert knowledge to help understand our efforts’ worth, making it all the more meaningful. The planet was 100 trees lusher by the time Project Glow Green was wrapped up.
Seize CO2 was an awareness project comprising 13 eco-teasers that revolved around the topics of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint and carbon neutrality. While we hopefully inspired people to contribute towards a carbon neutral nation, we know for certain that many fell for Bhutan’s charms (being the only carbon negative country in the world) including our PR director, Rtr. Shehani!
“Where is the love?”
Quarantine solely draws boundaries to preventing the spread of the virus, not the spread of peace, love and knowledge. That is why we carried out our virtual community service and PR projects to spread the positivity all around.
It all started with Flatten The Curve where the 5 Rotaract Clubs of the University of Colombo together with Colombo Beacon, shared an important message on acting the part of responsible citizens in order to prevent the pandemic from reaching its peak. We do believe that it set off a positive impact.
Lights! Camera! Say peace! Together with the Interact club of Mahanama College, we took to social media with Project #SayPeace where we captured symbols of unity on camera, sharing them on Instagram and Facebook in hopes of promoting peace and togetherness throughout the nation and the world.
E-learning is currently trending, and keeping up with the times, we created Ed-vantage, an up and running educational website for all O/L and A/L students, ready to answer all their academic questions on any subject matter.
Through the final project for the year, Manudame Dayadaya-an initiative come to reality through the collaborative efforts of the Rotaract clubs of Excellence, Faculties of Science and Arts, University of Colombo and the University of Kelaniya-we distributed dry rations to 190 families in the Kalupahana Estate Community in Bulathkohupitiya, Kegalle, left helpless in the face of adversity that the country is experiencing at present.
“Bored”
Happy Rotaractors make a happy club. This is where our club service projects served their purpose. If Abraham Lincoln were ever a Rotaractor, he would have called them the “projects of the Rotaractors, by the Rotaractors, for the Rotaractors.”
When in quarantine, do as the Rotaractors of RACFOSUOC do and spill the tea! (Well, maybe not literally). Spill the tea provided a podium for all those hilarious and quirky tales and thoughts our Rotaractors wanted to share. It proved an entertaining pastime for the sake of their sanity and kept them from joining the Mad Hatter’s tea party.
RACFOSUOC Big Bash got our Rotaractors’ adrenaline running with the online cricket tournament hosted via Facebook.A huge shout-out to the 2 teams; Team Terminators (lead by Rtr. Vihanga Kularathna) for taking home the trophy and to Team Knights (lead by Rtr. Thamal Adhikari) for a match well played.
The SLAMM scavenger hunt organized online this year due to COVID-19, played its role in improving the fellowship and comradery among the Rotaractors of the Rotaract clubs of the University of Colombo, as it always does, every year.
“All around the world”
RACFOSUOC aspires to create an influence beyond the borders of our island, connecting with the rest of the world, and that propelled the club to join hands with the Rotaract Club of Jeppiaar Engineering College from RID3232 and the Rotaract Club of Pamunugama of RID3220 in the organization of WEBINAR, a session conducted on Interview skills development by Dr. N. Padmavathy. Appearing for an interview may not seem as nerve-racking anymore. You’re welcome.
“Farewell”
Though the pandemic lead us to an unexpected turn of events, we did manage to pull through, successfully reaching the end of an incredible journey, gaining the experience of a lifetime. As for the club, it’s just closing down another chapter, eager to unfold the next. As long as our Rotaractors are fuelled with the passion to stand with a spirit to serve, RACFOSUOC’s legacy will live on for many more years to come. We wish the incoming board and Rotaractors all the luck in the world for a successful and exhilarating Rotaract term ahead. We hope that the club rises to greater heights with each passing year. With that said, it is time for us to bid you all adieu. Viva la Rotaract!
-RACFOSUOC 2019/20 Board-
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