Believe in miracles

Believe in miracles is the Child care project organized by Leo club of university of Colombo to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas by sharing love and joy with the kids. The project was held on 19^th of December 2016 at Carmel Piyuma Children’s home which was situated in Borella.

Since little kids are more interested on Christmas than elders the project committee decided to conduct the project at a children’s home. So as the first step project chairman and secretary visited the selected children’s home. Through that we could identify their background and their needs.

This home is maintained under Rev.sis. Florella. These children are from shanty areas. This home gives them protection throughout the day from morning to evening until their caretaker, who does very small jobs such as cleaning service come to pick them back in the evening. This is a free service provided by this sister bearing all the expenses of these children. There were 63 kids between from 3 years to 5 years.

The main advertising activities were done using facebook and inside the university.

One of the main objectives of advertising was to collect donations. As such we got some financial donations as well as some stationery items, dry foods and toys.

On the day of the event little kids performed some dancing and singing items when we visted them.

When it comes to Christmas, carols are very important and interesting event. So after the kid’s performance club members together with Ignite musical band performed a small carols service. It added more colors to the event since kids were happier and they joined us too.

God put Santa Clause on earth to remind us that Christmas is supposed to be a happy time. So Santa clause is the most interesting thing kids remember in Christmas. We arranged a Santa clause to make the event more bright and beautiful. We gifted each and every kid with small gift pack.

Further every kid was provided with a small snack in the evening. It was nicely arranged as a good looking, tasty food pack.

Furthermore we decided to donate some stationery items including Books, Bristol boards, color papers and school uniforms. As well as we donated some dry foods such biscuit packets, sugar, Rice and milk powder etc..

After this event Rev.sister Florella and her staff of the children’s home were very thankful for us and expressed their true feeling of happiness about the event. Kids were very happy about Santa’s arrival and the carol service. We had a very nice time with those little kids. Finally “Believe in miracles” was ended successfully because of the great effort, passion and courage of everyone.

Throughout the project we learnt how to build the team spirit, leadership. As well as we were able to work with people outside are circle of friends which led us to build new relatonship with people. It was a great opportunity leos got in the christmas season to be be happy by seeing the happiness of these little ones. 

Leo Orientation 2016

Leo Orientation 2016 which focused to welcome and educate the new Leo blood for the year 2017 was held successfully in 16^th of December in Faculty of Graduate Studies, University Of Colombo.

The main focus of this orientation proramme is to build awareness and more knowledge about what LEO is. 

As an upcoming Leo club, we wanted to polish our new blood through a well organized orientation programe to attract them towards us and retain existing members in a stylish manner. In order to fulfill that requirement we were came up with an amazing Organizing Committee which dedicated to achieve our predetermined goal. 

We selected a convenient date and time for all the target participants and allocated each and every task among the members to get their maximum effort. Each and every person was assigned to a task and they were supervised under the top board. 

The day started with the initial registrations and followed up, lighting the oil lamp, and awareness about the Leo culture among newly inducted Leos. There were interactive sessions and activities along with presentations by keynote speakers. 

Finally it was successfully held by adding a wide knowledge about LEO and its history and its future.
All the participants have gained some kind of knowledge and they got a chance to enhance their leadership skills, problem solving skills, presentation skills and many more. 

Donation of a Wheelchair

Leo club of university of Colombo was offered with the privilege of donating a wheelchair for a needy person with the sponsorship of Oruwala Lions club. Lions club of Oruwala provided us the wheelchair and wanted us to find a person who was in need of it.

            In the search we found out about a boy who was in need of a new wheel chair in Modara area. He was diagnosed with a genetic disease at the age of 9 which ultimately made him unable to walk by his own. While he was getting ready for his scholarship exam in Grade 5 he experienced this unfortunate situation. His parents and elder siblings were taking care of him and his wheelchair was wrecked over the last 11 years. In the visit we had a friendly chat with them and encourage him to work hard on his studies.

We felt so blessed about being able to help them with a brand new wheelchair on the time he needed it the most. On 28th of October with the participation of Leo migara, President of the Leo club of University of Colombo we donated the wheel chair to him. Helping the right person at the right time with the humble motive of helping to uplift the quality of a life as a Leo was one of the greatest pleasures. The gratitude and the happiness on their faces enlightened our souls and also was an empowerment to continue further projects as such.

Envirolove’16

“Envirolove’16” was the first environmental project conducted by Leo Club of University of Colombo which was held on 21st October 2016. The project was implemented in Boralesgmuwa, near the Weras Ganga Park. The main intension of this project is to lend a hand to save the environment for the future.

As the foremost step we decided to conduct a tree plantation project at Boralesgamuwa near the Weras Ganga Park as the idea of Leo Neranga Bamunuarachchi. All of the members agreed with that place because it is easy to maintain as well as it is an area which most of the people selected to spend their leisure time. We started this project by sending a letter to the Road Development Authority to get the permission for planting trees near the road. We were got huge support from Road Development Authority and Shop owners in Weras Ganga Park. Director of the RDA agreed to give the required plants for us as well as they promised to give some laborers as well. With the help of all these parties we were started our tree plantation project.

Mainly we were using social media as our primary tool of informing about our project to the general public because it was the best way for address the youth generation.

Day before the date of project, we were made all the plant protection cages. We used Pillawa temple premises for that work.

Then we were planting trees, adding fertilizer, watering and building cage around each and every plant with the contribution of the Leos, Officers of Road Development authority and workers of RDA.

“Envirolove‟16” was successfully implemented in boralesgamuwa with the courage and commitment of the all the Leos of Leo Club of university of Colombo. We were doing this project with the intension to protect the environment by planting trees and save the world for tomorrow. In today’s context of the world there is a huge environmental pollution and drastically increase global warming due to the human activities. Best solution for this is planting and maintain trees. As university undergraduates and as social workers, we started it from our club to be the guardians of nature by joining hand with „Envirolove‟16”.

Rang Dey'16

“Rang Dey’ 2016” was the Holi festival organized under theme explore, energize ,celebrate by  the Leo club of university of Colombo which was held on 25th September 2016.Though the project seems to be of entertainment there was a hidden motive behind this mammoth project.  Therefore it can be regarded as the main fund raising program of the year where the Leo’s were able to complete fund the project “Arogya’16”. In short Holi festival was a success, which was evident by the number of participants.

As stated above in the introductory paragraph we, Leo club of university of Colombo started this project with ample objectives to serve the community in need. A glimpse of our objective that we intended to achieve via the project “Rang Dey’2016” the Holi festival are as follows;

Objectives of “Rang Dey’16”

• ·         Raising funds for initiate the project”Arogya’16” which is a medical camp focuses on far-off , impassable area in Anuradhapura District with lack of health facilities and medical resources.
• ·         Set up financial assistance to continue to the project “together as human “ which was awarded as the Most Outstanding Education project in 201502016 of Leo Multiple Award Ceremony which focuses on an underprivileged school in Kalawana.
• ·         To share the colorful experience for participants with enjoyment and get away from their monotones life.
• ·      To get a better platform to inform about the club service projects and the requirement of serving society and community development.

At the outset the organizing committee of the project has discussed and prepared a plan to conduct the project. Then we searched a location to hold the event and prepared the project proposal to inform the aim of the project to the outside. Next the project chairperson assigned works to do and report them in the next committee meeting. We have conducted nearly 5 meetings to get information about the condition of the project at that moment. 

With the gathered information we reached the sponsors for sponsorships, banners etc. at the same time we reserve the location of the event and obtained permission to held the event. Then we issue tickets to collect funds to buy the necessary items for the event. With the help of the club members we packet the color packets for the event, and arrange the ground to make this event a success.

The ticket counter was opened at 10.00 a.m. and the event was officially started from that moment onward. There were food stalls, game zone, henna arts stalls, and many fun games organized for the participants to take part. the club members as well as many visiting Leos took part in this entertaining event. Altogether the winners of the games were awarded with attractive gifts. Many colorful memories were created on the event venue.  

Since we concluded the project the Leo club of university of Colombo was able to achieve the stated objectives. In brief the project Arogya’16 was fully funded by the money raised by “Rang Dey’16” and also we have been able to fund the project together as human as well.

Apart from that with the success of the project, where it had been the talk of the town the Leo club think that we were able to acknowledge what we stand for a mass audience in such a short span via the participants , sponsorship parties, corporates and fellow university students.

It was indeed a joyful event for all the participants where they celebrated and enjoyed it to the fullest. Is evident by the photographs that were taken on the event, which is now available on our official Facebook page.

In a nutshell the Leo club of university of Colombo was able to conquer the established objectives of “Rang Dey’16” with the ultimate support of organization committee of the project, Guidance of club president and secretary and all the club members, all the participant and every other person who supported by any means. 

Second Installation Ceremony of Leo club of University of Colombo

Second annual installation ceremony of Leo club of University of Colombo was held on 18^th September 2016 at Western Province Aesthetic Center from 1.30 p.m. onward. Chief guest for the event is 2^nd vice district governor Lion Sarath Wijechandra MAF JP, Guest of Honor Centennial District President Leo Dilruk Tissera, special guests Centennial Multiple District President Leo Rajitha Abeygunasekara.

Club members and all the other invited Leos were registered form 1.30 to 1.45 and chief guest and all the invited guests were warmly welcome by the newly elected club president Leo Migara Dinendra and the club members. The meeting was call to order by the charter president Leo Nimesh Jayasinghe. Then all the lions and the Leos stood up to obey the national anthem. Pledge of allegiance and Leo pledge was readout respectively.

Introduction of the head table was done by Leo Sameena Abeysekara. Charter secretary Leo Berney Wickramasinghe welcomed all the invited Lions, Leos and all the club members. Next, was the speech by the charter president Leo Nimesh Jayasinghe. The next slot was allocated to appreciate the honorable leaders who guided us throughout the recent past year.

According to the agenda the next was to install the new members of the club by the centennial district president Leo Dilruk Tissera. Then the newly appointed executive board and the board of directors were introduced to gathering. After that they were installed by the chief guest Lion Sarath Wijechandra MAF JP. Next, Leo Nimesh Jayasinghe handed over the proceedings to the newly appointed president Leo Migara Dinendra. All the guests are invited to lit up oil lamp to enlighten the occasion. The gathering was entertained by the excellent performance by the club members.

 After that newly appointed president Leo Migara Dinendra addressed the gathering by expressing his views on the future plans of the club. The next item in the agenda was to introduce the chief guest to the gathering. It was done by Leo Sanduni Silva. And then the chief guest of the occasion addressed the gathering and encouraged the newly appointed executive board and the office bearers to make a successful year ahead. According to the agenda, the guest of honor centennial district president Leo Dilruk Tissera and guest lion Leslie Lilananda, district president of the Leo’s addressed the gathering respectively. Then the most outstanding club members of the previous year were appreciated.

 After that the all the invited guests are appreciated by giving away the token of appreciation. And then the time was allocated to give the felicitation of all the invited Leo’s of the district. Finally, the gathering was addressed by newly appointed club secretary Leo Hansi Jayathilaka to give away the vote of thanks. And then the 2^nd installation ceremony of the Leo club of university of Colombo was adjourned by the president Leo Migara Dinendra. 

Arogya’16

“Arogya’16” was the first healthcare project conducted by the Leo Club of University of Colombo which was held on 6^th September 2016. The project was implemented in Kadawath-Rambewa village which is situated in a far-off and impassable area in Anuradhapura district. The main focus of “Arogya’16” was to share knowledge about common health issues and uplift the physical and mental health of the villagers.

As the initial step we decided to conduct a medical camp in Kadawath-Rambewa as the idea of Leo Harsha Arampath and through discussions with him we became aware that it was a far-off and impassable area which really needed our patronage. We start up this project by sending a request letter to Regional Director of Health Service, Anuradhapura. We were able to get huge support from Development Officers at A.G. Office at 

Medawachchiya, Grama-Seva officer, the Police to inform villagers about the medical camp.

At the pilot visit we could reveal that people face many difficulties when obtaining   heath care services in that area due to the huge distance to hospital in Medawachchiya and the lack of transport and other infrastructure facilities. Also we found that 235 families live in Kadawath - Rabewa and most of the people are minor income. Hence we were able to identify that what they really wanted in terms of health and what we can do, in order to overcome those healthcare difficulties in Medawachchiya area. 

1.   Advertising Campaign

Distribution of leaflets, banners and using speakers to announce villagers about the medical camp on 1^st of September & 5^th of September, 2016

 

 

1.   Medical Program

Main activity of our project was the medical program that has scheduled to execute with blood pressure and sugar checkups, eye and dental clinic and kidney checkups for participants. We recorded that 200 patients have participated and 08 doctors and 16 medical staff members have given their contribution for Arogya project.

Our pilot visit revealed that this was the main health issue in this area. Therefore we arranged a separate clinic for kidney checkups and almost all the participants went through that checkup.

Another important section in medical camp was eye clinic. Patients were treated from required treatments and medical advises by the oculist. According to our records 73 of participants were treated from eye clinic.

Most of both children and adults are suffering from dental problems due to lack of good dental health habits. Therefore dental clinic was very supportive for participants to identify their health problems and necessary treatments for them.

People were tending to aware about their level of blood pressure and diabetics. Therefore participants were checked their blood pressure and sugar levels by medical staff members. They have been given both medicines and also awareness about those diseases by doctors.

Suvanari clinic focused to provide knowledge on cancers and early prevention treatments for ladies. Height and weight calculations alto took place in the medical camp.

Along with the medical camp our members conducted an awareness program for the students of the school about the good habits and health tips. It was included the team building activities, physical exercise program and fun games as well.

·        Distribution of Stationery

We have distributed stationery for 62 students and that included the following items.

-Exercise books

           -Drawing books                     

-Pastel boxes              

-Erasers & sharpeners                         

-Rulers                        

          -Pens and Pencils

Further we were able to treat every participant with a nutritious meal. It was nicely arranged by preparing Kadala, Munata, Kawpi by us. Also together hands with Unilever, we were able to donate a water purifier to the school. We think it is very beneficial for them to prevent kidney problems. 

Further we decided to donate important first aid items to the school.With the support of Clogard, we were able to distribute the Clogard toothpaste packets to participants on that day. In order to give more awareness on good health habits, we distributed leaflet on good health habits for participants. Further we tried to improve good health habits among the students by hanging some notices in school premises.

After the medical camp, the principal and staff of the school and the villagers arranged a vote of thanks and shared their true feelings about the project. Students of the school were extremely happy to have new stationeries and they enjoyed the programs which we were conducted. We had a nice time with them and it added a lifelong memory to us. Arogya’16 was completed successfully because of the great effort, passion and courage of everyone. We left Anuradhapura with the objective of initiating another community service. 

Together as Human

“Together as Human” was the very first educational project of the Leo club of university of Colombo which was held on 7^th March 2016. The project was mainly focused on donating library books and laboratory equipments to Kosgolla Maha Vidyalaya in Badula. The school was situated in rural area in Uva province with limited resources and 103 students were currently studying.  Therefore the Leo Club of University of Colombo has taken initiative to favor for this school.