Paws, Purpose, and an Unforgettable Journey!

Working on a project that not only unites people but also significantly improves the lives of animals has a very special quality. This year, I had the incredible opportunity to co-chair Woof Roof, an initiative by the Environmental Service Avenue of the Rotaract Club of the University of Moratuwa, and it has been the most rewarding experience of my university life so far. 🌟

At one of our general meetings, I approached our president, Hiruni akka, and asked if there were any ongoing projects related to dogs. That’s when I first heard about Woof Roof, a initiative aimed at helping helpless street dogs, especially those who have been injured or left with disabilities. Without hesitation, I asked if I could take charge of the project, and soon after, I got the green light. Dasuni akka and Nilanga aiya, the Directors of Environmental Service Avenue, later reached out to make it official, and I was honored to lead the project alongside my amazing co-chair, Hemindi💪.

The first challenge was to build a strong, enthusiastic team that truly cared about the cause. Hemindi did a fantastic job recruiting volunteers, especially from the IT faculty, while I reached out to passionate individuals from various backgrounds. We carefully assigned roles for flyer designing, caption writing, fundraising and more by considering each person’s talent. Although things started at a slow pace, our team’s dedication and love for dogs kept us moving forward.

Our first major event was Woofy’s Gallery, a street dog photography competition. We received creative and heartwarming photos, each telling a unique story of the street dogs of Sri Lanka. The competition had two winning categories.
Most Popular Photograph, which was chosen through Facebook reactions, and Best Photograph, which was selected through votes from our board members, directors, chairpersons, and Chehan aiya and Lahiru aiya from editorial. The competition was fierce, with the most popular photograph receiving over 800 reactions! 🎉 A huge congratulations to Niroja from the IT faculty for winning Most Popular Photogarph and to Chamod from the Architecture faculty for winning Best Photograph.

Alongside the photography contest, we organized a sticker selling campaign to raise funds. This year, we capitalized on the viral “Chill Guy” meme, an iconic, relaxed looking dog that had taken the internet by storm. 😎 We printed a bunch of Chill Guy stickers, and they sold out like crazy! It was hilarious to see how much everyone loved the meme, and we also printed some creative stickers drawn by Harshi. Our fundraising team did an outstanding job ensuring every sticker found a home. Additionally, we promoted donations, and thanks to the generosity of many, we received both monetary contributions and dry food for the shelter. ❤️🐾

After weeks of preparation, the final phase of the project arrived. Our visit to Baw Baw Animal Shelter in Kurunegala. I coordinated with the shelter to understand their most urgent needs and made a list of necessary dry food and medical supplies. On the morning of February 16th, our team gathered at the university, all filled with excitement. There were 12 of us, and I could see the anticipation in everyone’s eyes.

We hired a van for our journey, and the ride was nothing short of fun. We shared stories, laughed endlessly, and bonded in a way that only a road trip like this could allow. Upon arrival, I had to step out to purchase the required medicines and food supplies, and I’d like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to my amma, who not only helped with the purchases but also prepared lunch for all of us!

Meanwhile, at the shelter, my team was having an absolute blast. They played with the dogs, fed them and they took so many photographs without me. When I finally joined them, I was amazed to see how happy the dogs were despite their struggles. The shelter housed around 60 disabled dogs, along with other rescued animals such as pigs, goats, and cows. Seeing their resilience was truly heartwarming.

The caretakers at the shelter were incredibly grateful for our donations, and as a token of appreciation, they gifted us adorable dog toys to take back home for our own pets. Their kindness and dedication to these animals inspired us even more.

As we wrapped up our visit and made our way back to the university, everyone was exhausted but filled with a deep sense of fulfillment. We enjoyed the delicious home-cooked meal my mother had prepared, and after that the entire team had dozed off(except the driver, of course!). I still smile thinking about that peaceful, well-earned nap after such an eventful day.

Looking back, Woof Roof was more than just a project. It was an emotional journey that brought together a team of incredible individuals, strengthened our friendships, and most importantly, made a difference in the lives of these helpless yet loving dogs. Every little effort, from selling stickers to road trip to the shelter, added up to something much greater than we initially imagined.

Woof Roof will always hold a special place in my heart, not only because of the impact we made but also because of the people I met along the way. This was, without a doubt, the best project I have worked on at the university so far, and I cannot wait to see how it continues to grow in the coming years.

So, here’s to more tails wagging, more hearts warming, and many more moments of pure pawsitivity!