Hand in Hand: A Journey of Hope and Heart
In a world often hurried and fragmented, it is moments of unity that remind us of the power we hold when we stand hand in hand. This July, the Rotaract Club of the University of Moratuwa turned compassion into action through a heartwarming fundraising initiative, beautifully named "HAND IN HAND", a cause dedicated to supporting the young warriors of the Apeksha Cancer Hospital in Maharagama.
Held during the Colombo Shopping Festival Summer Fair at BMICH on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of July 2025, the three-day campaign was not just a fundraiser, it was a movement of empathy, generosity, and collective strength.
A Festival of Purpose
As the gates of the BMICH opened to welcome eager shoppers and curious wanderers, our humble stall stood with a purpose deeper than commerce. While many came for the excitement of summer sales, few left without contributing to something greater, the lives of children who face battles most of us could never imagine.
With posters that spoke of love, hope, and resilience, and volunteers who shared the mission with contagious passion, our stall became more than just a booth; it became a beacon of humanity.
The "HAND IN HAND" initiative invited people to be part of a story, a story of children who, despite their fragile health, carry an unshakable strength in their eyes. Through donations, sales, and pure goodwill, our Rotaractors and generous passersby raised over LKR 100,000 in just three days. A figure that, while it cannot measure the value of a life, carries the potential to change one.
More Than Just Us
While the Rotaract Club of the University of Moratuwa was at the heart of this initiative, our success is shared with a wider community. Students, lecturers, alumni, families, and strangers, everyone who visited the festival played a part. It was a symphony of small acts that created a crescendo of kindness.
Some gave with wallets. Others gave with time. Some shared our message on social media. Others simply offered a smile and a few words of encouragement that lifted our tired volunteers in ways that money never could.
What mattered most was the spirit. The energy. The overwhelming sense that, even for a few days, people had put aside their busy lives to help children they may never meet.
Why We Do It
Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It touches the innocent, the strong, the young, and the old. At the Apeksha Cancer Hospital, hundreds of children undergo treatments that are not only physically exhausting but emotionally and financially overwhelming. For many families, the burden is unbearable.
We don’t have the power to cure cancer, but we do have the power to help ease that burden.
Whether it’s funding medication, offering comfort kits, or even sponsoring simple joys like books or art supplies for children in treatment, the money raised through "HAND IN HAND" will go where it is most needed. Every rupee counts. Every gesture matters. Every act of love ripples outward.
Walking Forward, Together
As the sun set on the third day of the festival, our team packed up with tired hands but full hearts. We left BMICH not just with funds, but with memories. Stories of kind strangers, smiling children who visited the stall, heartfelt conversations, and shared dreams of a better, more caring world.
"Hand in Hand" was never just a campaign. It was a promise, to stand beside those who need us, to act when others stay silent, and to lead not just with ideas, but with action.
This is just the beginning. Our journey with the Apeksha Cancer Hospital continues. We believe in a future where every child has the right to fight with dignity and hope. And we know we cannot do it alone.
So to everyone who donated, who volunteered, who cheered us on, thank you. You didn’t just give money. You gave meaning.
Let’s continue this journey. Let’s continue to walk hand in hand.