A Wish Upon a Star – “Intellect” Phase 2
Without giving a rest for the minds and bodies, our Rotaractors kept the second step of Intellect – 2016 on the 8th and 9th of October with the English seminar targeted for GCE Ordinary Level examination.
“If the poor boy cannot come to education, education must go to him.”
-Swami Vivekananda
As English language has become a huge obstacle for the children in the Ranugalla village, the principal of Ranugalla Kanishta Vidyalaya, had specifically asked for an English seminar to be conducted during Intellect – 2016. Our team wanted to provide those kids with knowledge and support in the best possible way. Hence, they decided to ask assistance from an experienced English teacher to conduct the seminar on behalf of Rotaract Mora. While looking for an English teacher, Rtr. Layanvi Hettimulla, who is one of our team members agreed to ask her mother, Mrs. O.K.J. Chandrakanthi, who is an English lecturer in Pasdunrata National College of Education, Kalutara, to be the person we were looking for. Her kindness and her willing heart to help poor children led her to join Intellect – 2016.
The two days at the school were gone in a flash. Madam Chandrakanthi shared her experience with us during her free time. She said,
“It was really an arduous weekend as I had to conduct the session for more than 6 hours each day. But, I didn’t feel so tired, as these kids were amazing, friendly and interactive. And, what kept me going while teaching was their desire and the eagerness to learn English and the way they tried with their hearts”.
I could see that she spoke these words from the depth of her heart. That would be more than enough to show the joy we feel after helping someone in need.
It wouldn’t be very nice if I skip the part of the hospitality of the villagers in Ranugalla.
“…People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
~Maya Angelou~
Yes, Indeed. They made us feel we belonged there, in their hearts. Parents of the students who were studying in the Ranugalla Kanishta Vidyalaya went to many lengths to take care of all of us for two days of time. They did not care about the troubles they had to go through just to arrange food and a good place for us to sleep. They did not hesitate to feed us with a friendly and a warm smile whenever they confronted us. Their hospitality was unbelievable and the words I have is not rich enough to explain the immense support they provided us.
In the evening of Sunday, 9th October, Madam Chandrakanthi told the students that we were about to leave, and all the students looked at her with aggrieved faces. However, still they were happy to have a great interactive session with Madam Chandrakanthi, an experience they hadn’t had in their lives before. After some warm goodbyes, she was able to leave the school with a heart full of satisfaction.
The phase 2 of Intellect – 2016 concluded with a massive success with the huge effort of Mrs. O.K.J. Chandrakanthi and the other Rotaractors who supported her during this trip– Rtr. Layanvi Hettimulla, Rtr. Viraj Edirisinghe, Rtr. Madhavi Anuththara and Rtr. Sanira Wickramaarachchi. This endeavor will be continued to Intellect Phase 3, the Science seminar, on the 22nd and 23rd of October, 2016.
