When Service Meets Heart: The Story of Hand-in-Hand

I began my journey with Rotaract Club of university of Moratuwa as a co-chairperson for the Hand-in-Hand Project in 2023, and it was truly a meaningful beginning filled with numerous responsibilities. This project is one of the main projects under the Community Service Avenue. Its aim is to support cancer patients at Apeksha Hospital Maharagama, CCC House Maharagama, and the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital cancer ward.

Hand-in-Hand is more than just another community project. It is a heartfelt mission built on compassion and a deep desire to make a real difference. From its inception, the project aimed to provide not only practical support but also moments of happiness for those facing some of life’s toughest challenges.

Being part of this project was a great opportunity to lead with dedication and give back to the community. Since this was a year-long project, I worked alongside two other co-chairpersons. I must mention Rtr. Shehan Maleesha, who was a fantastic teammate and a huge support throughout the project.

We had several subprojects under this project, but our main focus was on fundraising and donations. Other activities included the “Colours” Project, Cancer Awareness programs, and the “Nadhya” Musical Concert.

We carried out three major fundraising events at BMICH. The Book Fair 2023, Colombo Shopping Festival held in December 2023, and the April 2024 Festival. These events were 10-day long programs and organizing them was a huge task.As co-chairs, we managed every aspect of the fundraising phases, including designing flyers, writing captions, organizing the events, managing volunteers, budgeting, and writing reports. It wasn’t easy, but we handled it all successfully. I also spent countless hours volunteering during these events.

One significant challenge was finding skilled individuals for creating flyers and managing volunteers for 10 days straight. This required careful planning and continuous coordination to meet deadlines effectively. It taught me to recognize team strengths and foster creativity under pressure.

Another memorable incident was when I faced an issue regarding permissions and was called into the director’s office. Although it was a nerve-wracking moment, I resolved the issue through clear communication and diplomacy, which greatly boosted my confidence in handling high-stakes situations.

These experiences helped me sharpen my leadership, event organizing, HR management, and problem-solving skills while also teaching me the importance of adaptability, effective communication, and teamwork.

We also conducted awareness sessions during fundraising activities. For example, we spoke to students at tuition classes to educate them on ways to prevent cancer. During this time, we also sold T-shirts, wristbands, and stickers designed by child cancer patients from CCC House. Throughout this we have to find suitable locations and handle logistics.

One of the most emotional experiences was volunteering for the “Colours” Project. This project was all about bringing happiness to children suffering from cancer. On that day, we sang songs with the children, drew pictures, and gave them small gifts. We also provided them with a special dinner. Spending time with the children and seeing their smiles was unforgettable. It reminded me how a small act of kindness can bring so much joy to others.

Another significant achievement was organizing donations for the Apeksha Hospital. We provided necessary kitchen items as the request from us such as a vegetable-cutting machine and other essential tools.

Though these donations may not solve all their problems, we hoped they would make their lives a little easier. The hospital staff’s gratitude gave us immense satisfaction.

Looking back, this project brought me immense happiness, valuable experiences and many new friends. It wasn’t always easy, but the support of my co-chairs made everything possible. Together, we overcame challenges, made a difference, and gained priceless memories. The Hand-in-Hand Project taught me the true value of teamwork, dedication, and compassion. It’s an experience I’ll carry with me forever, and I am proud to have been part of it.