The Professional Development Avenue of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura organized their signature project “Ascend” with the joint collaboration of the Rotaract Club of Colombo West and the Interact Club of Nalanda College. The project was a successful effort taken by the project chairs Rtr. Harsha Jayawickrama and Rtr. Sonali Thanthirige with the intention of developing leadership and soft skills by empowering our younger generation for a better future.  It was held on 19th April 2018 at Nalanda College Auditorium with the participation of Interactors from Colombo Schools.

The event kick-started with a card pack maths problem. Each interactor was given a card and the Ace card was taken as number 1. A number was announced and everyone was asked to create the said number with two other participants who are not from the same interact club by adding or subtracting the card they have in their hand which gave them a chance to interact and get to know each other.

The next in line was team allocation and the students who got the Ace card were brought onto the stage as temporary leaders of five groups.  Then the leaders were given the task of finding their respective group members without speaking a single word, and they had to use their critical thinking and mind power to successfully complete the task. 

The third game for the day was called Information Chain. The first member of each group was given two clues to identify and to write another clue describing the second clue word within a given time period. Each member was given the same chance so that finally an information chain is created thus increasing their creative thinking, time management and team spirit.

At the end of the Information Chain guest speaker Mr. Hans Billimoria arrived for his interactive session on Youth Awareness about Social Media. The participants were able to get a clear understanding about the impact of social media in the current society, how kids are abused through the internet and how to overcome those predators.

After the lunch break Ms. Chathura Sooriyaarachchi conducted a session on Leadership Skills and demonstrated the steps on how to become your own avatar through everyday examples. Next came Colonel Nalin Herath, a spokesperson from the Army and an ideal person for a youth empowerment programme to conduct a session on Demonstrating Leadership Skills. At the end of the session students were given a time period to ask questions so that they can clarify their doubts on how to become a leader.

After an exciting day, interactors joined outside the auditorium for the final game of the day, Shapes and Objects. Everyone was divided into pairs and one partner was asked to draw three shapes of different sizes and the other partner had to draw an identical copy of the same drawing without looking at the shapes, only by listening to their partners. The same process was carried out where one had to draw an everyday object and explain it to their partner by simple shapes.

The day’s proceedings came to an end and the joy in everyone’s faces was a clear sign for the organizing committee that the project was a success.

Heartfelt gratitude goes to the Executive Board for their constant support and feedback, Principal of Nalanda College, Mr. Thilak Waththuhewa for granting us permission to use the auditorium and school premises, guest speakers Mr. Hans Billimoria, Ms. Chathura Sooriyaarachchi and Colonel Nalin Herath who took time off from their busy schedules to spend the day with us and our senior club advisor Dr. Thilini Gunasekara for the immense support and guidance given at all times.

Last but not least, all the participants for their enthusiasm and positive attitude towards the event, for if not for them this event would not have been a success.

By Rtr. Maneka Dabare