Reflecting on My Journey as a Chairperson of HETA 2025
On March 2, 2025, a vision I had long nurtured came to life as we successfully conducted the HETA leadership program at Abakolawewa Kanishta Vidyalaya in Ambanpola. As the chairperson of this initiative under Grama Prabodaya, I had the privilege of witnessing over 50 young minds come together for a day filled with inspiration, learning, and transformation.
"HETA", which means “Tomorrow” in Sinhala, was designed with the belief that the leaders of tomorrow are shaped by the experiences they have today. From the very beginning, our goal was to nurture essential leadership qualities among school students, confidence, decision-making, teamwork, and communication while instilling in them a deep sense of social responsibility.
Planning and executing this project were both challenging and deeply fulfilling. Together with my incredible team, we crafted a program that went beyond conventional workshops. We brought in interactive activities, leadership games, and team-building challenges that encouraged students to think critically and work together. It was inspiring to see them embrace every opportunity with such energy and openness.
What stood out to me most was how naturally leadership emerged among the participants. Several students took initiative, supported their peers, and confidently stepped into leadership roles during activities. Watching them grow and shine throughout the day was a powerful reminder of why programs like HETA matter. We made sure to recognize their efforts with small tokens of appreciation, hoping to further encourage their journeys.
As I reflect on that day, I feel immensely proud, not only of what we accomplished but of the impact we made. Many students shared how empowered they felt and how they looked forward to applying what they learned in their own lives. That, to me, was the greatest success of all.
I would be remiss not to express my heartfelt gratitude to the pillars of support behind this initiative, Rtr. Kaveesha, Rtr. Sayuni, and Rtr. Sahan, our ever-supportive Directors of the Community Service Avenue. Your guidance, encouragement, and unwavering faith in us made this journey a smooth and memorable one. To my fellow chairpersons, thank you for standing by my side, for your dedication, and for your passion that fueled this project every step of the way.
Chairing HETA was more than a leadership role, it was a journey of learning, collaboration, and growth. I’m truly honored to have been part of this impactful experience, and I look forward to seeing these young leaders shape a brighter tomorrow.
