LEAP Phase 2

 Leadership is one of the key aspects to overcome hardships through strength and enhanced attitudes. With the utmost motivation of upgrading the leadership skills of school children in rural areas, UoM Leos have initiated “Leap” and continued in several phases around the country. LEAP indicates Learn, Engage, Apply and Perform which are considered as the main characteristics every leader should develop in order to lead a nation towards success and prosperity. 

 “Leap" phase 2, the Leadership Camp organized by UoM Leos was held on 19th  and 20th of October 2019 at Malwaththawala National College, Wellawaya. The drama competition held on the first day of the programme added an extra value, enhancing creativity and confidence of school children. A leader has to undertake numerous roles and challenges in the society to direct the subordinates to the correct path. This lesson was highlighted through the drama competition. Also the camp fire at night was the most memorable item in the agenda. Singing and other fun activities around the camp fire spread the message to the whole world that these children too deserve these experiences.  

Day two of the project started with several physical activities that brought energy and developed enthusiasm. Then it was followed by the Treasure Hunt done to improve their group work and coordination skills. All the Leos and prospects who participated in the programme were thrilled to experience the joy and happiness of the little companions. All the tiredness was payed off with the happiness of the children as well as teachers and parents.

They might be the neediest of these types of experiences because they have not enjoyed the life earlier due to different hardships prevailing in the area. UoM Leos could rejoice on their ability to bring an everlasting memory to those innocent hearts.

Hithawathkam

 True kindness lies within the act of giving without the expectation of something in return. It’s the kind of happiness UoM Leos get with memory after each and every project we accomplish.

‘Hithawathkam’ is a project done by Leo Club of University of Moratuwa at the “Shelter for Homeless” elders’ home at Piliyandala to bestow those homeless elders with the greatest gift of kindness.

 Leos started the project by tending the garden at elders home. After cleaning and making a bed of plants they also made some spots to feed birds. Elders were taught how to make paper bags and we witnessed the pleasure they behold making them. Ending it in a fruitful manner, leos gave back the money they got after selling the paper bags which elders made in two weeks.

Making a difference with another good day, UoM Leos left the homeless shelter with a blaze of happiness in their minds.

Hunger Relief

 "It is an eternal obligation towards human being, not to let him suffer from hunger when one has a chance of coming to his assistance."

“Hunger” the greatest pain of all living beings, still happens to remain as a crisis worldwide even in the 21st century. A considerable number of people including children in our society suffer from hunger due to their poverty.

 "Hunger Relief", an International joint project organized by UoM Leos intended to be a relief to those helpless people who suffer from hunger was successfully held on the 14th of October. On that day about 100 rice packets along with some financial donations collected from kind-hearted Leos and generous donors were distributed among poor and helpless people in Piliyandala and Colombo Fort areas. It was a rainy day and we were dismayed to see the sorrowful and miserable lives of these helpless people who live on roads.

 

We also had the opportunity to have friendly conversations with these innocent people about their lives and problems they face. This was able to conceive a strong desire within ourselves to help them more in the future. At the end of the project everyone was happy to see the delighted smiles on these innocent faces.

Beyond the Stars

 There is nothing valuable than an innocent child’s smile. It’s just so radiant with unadulterated happiness. Knowing that you are the reason behind it, makes the moment of us even sweeter. UoM Leos spent a night with those smiles under the bright stars in the sky and among the warmth of the campfire. Smiling faces were nicely lightened up by "Beyond the Stars" with the sparkles of fireworks on 4th October night at Sumudu Pre School, Katubedda.

The night brings the most fascinating imaginations especially for the little souls who believe that there are deities and gods who emerge through the darkness of night. We, UoM Leos tried to reveal the fantasy of dark sky and enjoy the night with kids. We showed them the beauty of night sky and helped to build creation of night sky in their papers. And then, we prepared meals with that little toddlers and shared that meals with them. At last, we shared the experience of the campfire with that little angels. I think that night we gave light to the fearful night through the smiles of little todds.

We sang song with them and also danced with them which gave all of us an immense pleasure. Not only that, we all were taken back to our childhood by lightning fire crackers with them. It was more than a project, as always for the UoM Leos. 

A Drop of Life

 ‘Healthy Citizens are the greatest asset a country can have’

The health of citizens in a country is a major factor that describes the development of that country.

In Sri Lanka, although everyone is offered with free public medical services most of the people in rural areas do not grab the maximum use of these services due to their occupied life style. Sometimes this lead them to deadly results while being a threat to others as well in case of an infectious disease.

 With the kind hope of lending a hand to these low income families, UoM Leos organized ‘A Drop of Life’, a health camp to address the health issues of people in Noori Estate. Health camp which included medical checkups, treatments, clinics and awareness sessions was held on 3rd of October from 9.00 am onwards at Noori State, Daraniyagala. Patients were registered at the entrance and then they were directed to relevant units by the Leos. There were a number of checkup points installed for the patients including an eye clinic, a dental clinic, a blood testing service and a cholesterol testing service. A mobile lab was also arranged to do the medical testing. 

The camp was conducted for about five hours and nearly hundred people were given treatments. The generous service provided by the medical staff was highly appreciable. 

All the people who were gathered there, including the Doctors, staff and the villages admired the social service rendered by Leos.

Mini Mracles

 The most precious thing in this world is the smiling face of a child. On a special day for all the little children, the 1st of October, we made them happy. UoM Leos spent a day with the little kids of Sumudu Pre School, Katubedda. We all together celebrated the children day with these toddlers by arranging various kinds of entertaining events that we had in our childhood which are new to present time youngsters. The generous sponsorship of ‘Maaya creations’, Rathmalana helped us a lot to make this event more successful.   

 As children grow up, unfortunately their natural freedom is often eclipsed by the teaching and behavior of elders. At school, they learn many things, which are no doubt useful, but they gradually forget that essential thing to be human and kind, playful and make life richer for ourselves and others. On that day we put an effort to make a revolution on their minds. We played with them, we showed them what we were doing at their age and showed them how to ride the “Kola Patha” which is all gone at the present. Also, we sang with them and to add an extra glamour, we brought a bunny costume and it was worn by one of us which gave little kids a fabulous time. At the end of the program, we observed that the fruitfulness of our effort was on a very high level.

UoM Leos were able to go to their childhood again with these little kids. In that lighthearted day, both of us got huge pleasure. Every happy child is a different kind of flower, and all together, UoM Leos and prospects helped to make this world a beautiful garden.

Dream Alive

 “The work of education is divided between the teacher and the environment.” 

- Maria Montessori

It is obvious that environment plays an important role in every child's education. Aspiring this thought, we succeeded in yet another project.

'Dream Alive' is a project done by Leo Club of University of Moratuwa in coordination with Lions Club of Galle Galupura and Leo Club of Baddegama at Pathavelivitiya College, Baddegama on the 1st and 2nd of October.

 Leos and Lions were lucky enough to spend some quality time with those little kiddos while creating them an herbal garden, building a playhouse and a seesaw despite the oppressive rain that bothered. Our main objective was to build the herbal garden which will eventually inspire younger generation for a green future. 

It was such an amazing time spent with the children, their parents, teachers and the principal who not only supported us in every way doing the project but also treated us with delicious meals and refreshments.
Dream Alive got added to UoM Leo history as another flourishing project.