The third phase of For Them To Blossom, the signature project of the Community Service Avenue of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura was held successfully for the hopheads at Jayawiru Samadhi Sewana situated in Awissawella. The third phase was carried out under the title Building New Horizons which were a series of counselling sessions conducted with the objective of uplifting the mentality and entrepreneurial skills of the rehabilitants while identifying their skills.

Day 01 of the Third phase was conducted in collaboration with the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) on the 17h of January 2020. NATA is the pioneer Government organization established with the purpose of enactment of the legal aspects for alcohol and tobacco prevention in Sri Lanka. The Seminar was conducted by Dr. Sanoja Pethigoda, Psychiatrist from Colombo South Teaching Hospital – Kalubowila.

Dr. Pethigoda carried out the counselling session covering important areas such as the bad effects of using alcohol, tobacco and drugs and also measures that can be taken to recover from addiction. The rehabilitants learned many important aspects which would be very useful for a speedy rehabilitation.

Day 02 of Phase 03 was conducted in collaboration with the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka (VTASL) on the 24th of January 2020. The Vocational Training Authority was established with the intention of providing skills for employment and it is a public sector training organization coming under the purview of the ministry. The seminar was conducted by Senior Program Officer, Mr. Sajeewa Kulathilaka and Program Officer, Ms. Surangi Ranathunga.

The officers from VTASL spoke regarding employment opportunities available in the market for the rehabilitants and also about the training programs available at VTASL for the rehabilitants to join once they’re released. They distributed pamphlets to the rehabilitants which included their information regarding their training programs, cities and towns where training could be obtained and contact information. They also had private, one to one discussions with the rehabilitants regarding their future aspirations and provided them with valuable insights and advices. The rehabilitants were highly satisfied with this session as they were aware that they will have employment opportunities once their rehabilitation period is over.

Day 03 of Phase 03 was conducted in collaboration with National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) on the 21st of February 2020. This was the last counselling session under the third phase. National Enterprise Development Authority promotes, supports, encourages and facilitate Enterprise Development within Sri Lanka and provides information about Entrepreneurship Development and Financial Facilitation. The seminar was conducted by Enterprise Development Officer, Mr. Jayashantha Kumara. He advised the rehabilitants on how to awaken the entrepreneur within them and advised them on how to use their creative ideas to earn a living. He asked the rehabilitants whether they had any business ventures which they would like to commence once their treatment was over and promised them that NEDA will support them to initiate their very own business venture. The rehabilitants benefitted from this session as they were able to identify and develop the entrepreneurial skills within them.

We would like to thank the management of Jayawiru Samadhi Sewana for making us aware about the procedures they have in place at the rehabilitation Centre and for the hospitality displayed during those 3 days. We would also like to thank all the institutions that collaborated with us for helping us to make an impact on the lives of these individuals and for letting us make a change in society.

The completion of Phase 03 is truly a lifetime experience for the club members. As responsible Rotaractors and citizens we believe that we can grow and move forward as a society only when we encourage and uplift others around us. By conducting these counselling sessions for the rehabilitants at Jayawiru Samadhi Sewana, we’ve shown them that their past does not define as to who they are as individuals and that we will lend them a helping hand on their journey of recovery and self-discovery.

– Rtr. Zaina Sallay –