“If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well. If it is worth having, it is worth waiting for. If it is worth attaining, it is worth fighting for. If it is worth experiencing, it is worth putting aside time for. “ –Oscar Wilde

When Paul Harris founded the Rotary movement in 1905, I’m sure that even he, visionary that he was, had no idea of the extent this would take root in the hearts and minds of the masses the world over. Rotary has carved a special place for itself in society due to its long track record of addressing and resolving challenges in communities around the globe. Today, it has become a salvation and a beacon of light to millions around the world.

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members (Rotarians) of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotarians come from all walks and spheres of life and are united by a mutual will to serve. Some prominent figures who were and are Rotarians include Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Winston Churchill, Walt Disney and Pope Francis.

Those at Rotary strive to achieve peace in a world defined by its conflict in almost every sphere. We live in a society that is always focused on addressing the aftermaths of conflict but not on actively preventing it from happening in the first place. To create environments where peace is a possibility and not a far-fetched dream, the Rotary movement has undertaken multiple projects focusing on the provision of education and sanitation, resolving ethnic tension and bridging the gap between the unequal distribution of resources.

The achievements of Rotary since its inception have been impressive and Rotarians continue to be the heroes without capes, making a difference in lives, one at a time. Rotary began its fight against Polio back in 1979, and today it has succeeded in reducing it to something present only in textbooks, with only two countries being declared as polio-endemic to date.

With tens of thousands of members worldwide, Rotarians are on hand to deliver prompt assistance during times of disasters and unrest which was quite recently displayed as well with its joint venture with another organization in providing critically needed ambulances to Ukraine during its recent period of unrest. Rotary expands its visions to fit in the expansion of local economies and protection of the environment, and it even pays special care to some of the most vulnerable groups in our society, women and children. As Maya Angelou once said, “No matter what happens or how bad it seems today, life does go on and it will be better tomorrow”, this is what Rotary embodies. Rotarians go all out with endeavours to build a lasting tomorrow and bring hope to the darkened lives of many while promoting world understanding, goodwill and peace through impactful projects.

By collaborating with multiple national and international organizations, Rotary has ensured that they create something bigger and more impactful with far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. With help from partners like the Bill and Melinda gates foundation, World Health Organization, UNICEF and the Vaccine Alliance, Rotary has made sure that the world is 99.99 per cent Polio free. Rotary has also allied itself with ShelterBox, an organization specializing in providing relief to places struck by natural disasters such as the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and the South Indian continent after the tsunami in 2004.

Rotary endeavours to ensure that there is always a light burning at the end of the dark tunnel and make sure there are frequent stops along this journey through the tunnel; stops that replenish our courage and hope to keep moving forward. Darkness is but a temporary factor in our lives and we strongly believe that a new day always comes and when the sun finally shines upon it, it will be all the brighter to honour the hardships endured.

In Sri Lanka too, the Rotary movement has had a huge impact on many aspects of our society. Sri Lanka, being a part of Rotary International District 3220, is currently comprised of 71 Rotary clubs with more than 2000 Rotarians involved. The first Rotary Club in Sri Lanka was formed in Colombo in 1929 and the present District Governer is Rtn. Pubudu De Zoysa (for the term 2022-23). We take pride in the fact that with the support of the Rotary initiative – End Polio Now, Sri Lanka became the first South Asian country to become Polio free.

Rotary has succeeded through the decades in establishing itself as a pillar of strength for society to fall back on during times of difficulty. While the individual contributions might be small, we strongly believe that when multiplied by the millions of Rotarians around the globe, we can make a huge difference in the lives of many. The service rendered by Rotary will turn out to be a measure of who Rotarians are, and it is as much a means of honouring God who created them as much as it is a means of honouring everything that makes us human. While falsehood may die an early death, the strength of our kind words and actions will always resonate through the ages for that is who we are in our entirety, humans born to rise by lifting others.

Written by: Rtr. Aaysha Sufran

Graphic design by: Rtr. Tharushi Nadunika & Rtr. Rashmika Budunwela