In an effort to improve the health and safety of pregnant and nurturing mothers and their babies, the Community Service Avenue of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura initiated දිවියට දිවියක් 2.0 (Diviyata Diviyak 2.0) for the second consecutive year to provide knowledge and healthcare opportunities for expectant mothers.

The project mainly focused on providing education and resources to pregnant women and their families; enhancing healthcare facilities for pregnant women; and raising awareness of child rights, women’s rights and responsibilities among young children.

Accordingly, the project was conducted in four major phases. As the first phase of the project, an awareness program was conducted for the children who attended Sri Dhamma Wijaya Dharma Vidyalaya in Peliyagoda under the topic “Children’s Rights, Women’s Rights, and Responsibilities”. This phase aimed to lay the seed from the ground level to educate children on how to avoid teenage pregnancies and raise awareness of their rights and responsibilities.

In the second phase, a women’s ward at Piliyandala General Hospital was renovated with the financial contribution of sponsors and the club on January 22, 2023. The labour contribution for the task was accomplished by the volunteers of RACUSJ, and the supportive contribution of the hospital staff and management helped in ensuring the effectiveness of the task.

The third and fourth phases of the project were carried out simultaneously on various occasions. On September 25, 2022, we reached Horagollagama Maternal Clinic, where an awareness program by the In-charge Medical Officer, an essential baby product donation, and a blood testing program for pregnant mothers, were conducted. Thirty mothers received free HIV and VDRL testing on-site on the same day. Again, on November 28, 2022, an awareness session was conducted for pregnant mothers and their partners at Peliyagoda Maternal Clinic with a donation of essential baby products, and the final part was conducted on March 17, 2023, at Veyangoda Maternal Clinic, where twenty mothers were facilitated with free PPBS, blood group, and full-blood count testing along with an awareness session. Farlin and Velona Cuddles joined hands as the gift partners for all donated baby products.

Diviyata Diviyak 2.0 was successfully concluded by covering the Sustainable Development Goals; Good Health and Well-being (03) and Reduced Inequalities (10), and the Rotary’s Focus Areas; Maternal and Child Health, while igniting the hope to expand its efforts in the coming years.

Written by: Rtr. Keshani Weerasekara

Graphic design by: Rtr. Malithi Fernando