Written by: Rtr. Sayurangi Jayasinghe

The Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, through its Community Service Avenue, unveiled Diviyata Diviyak 4.0, an initiative dedicated to empowering underprivileged mothers and children all over Sri Lanka. The project focused on maternal health and well-being, with a special emphasis on underprivileged communities that often lack access to essential resources. This initiative consisted of five phases and was further expanded to support parents of children with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders.

The project began with an OC meeting, where members were briefed on their roles and responsibilities. Teams were formed, and the groundwork for the project was laid out. Volunteers collaborated effectively, ensuring a smooth execution of each phase.

Phase 01: Maternal Health Awareness Sessions

Initially, the plan was to conduct a single awareness session on maternal health. However, after identifying a significant lack of awareness in underprivileged communities, the project was expanded. Background research revealed that certain communities faced statistically high risks of child pregnancies due to cases of rape and drug abuse. As a result, we selected and reached out to the Gramasewaka officers in Singhapura, Kolonnawa, and Modara—areas known for their slum conditions and conducted our first session in collaboration with Mind Eye Counseling Services.

Another session was conducted at a prison compound, facilitated through Mrs. Elizabeth Raheem. RACUSJ became the first youth organization to conduct an early childhood development awareness session inside the prison. Since mothers incarcerated there are allowed to keep their children below the age of five with them, this session provided crucial guidance on fostering their children’s mental and physical well-being.

Through this phase, 150 mothers received awareness on maternal well-being and were also provided with essential supplies. Donations were collected from generous contributors nationwide. Posts were shared requesting monetary contributions or care packages worth Rs. 3,000, outlining the cost of each item. Some donors contributed these packages directly. Additionally, 20 stationery packs were provided for children living in the prison.

Phase 02: Donation Drive for Mothers and Children

A donation drive was conducted to collect essential supplies for mothers and children in rural communities. Public posts were sent out calling for donations, including new and second-hand items such as soap, baby clothes, and diapers. The collected donations were then distributed to poverty-stricken mothers in Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa, Panadura, and Nuwara Eliya. Some of the recipients were single mothers, while others had children with terminal illnesses.

In total, 64 clothing items and 20 pairs of footwear were collected for girls aged 1-5. Items in good condition were carefully sorted and distributed via post and courier to ensure they reached those in need.

Phase 03: Celebration at Mother Theresa Orphanage

An orphanage celebration was organized for 50 children, fully sponsored by We Creations. Additionally, we provided children whose birthdays were on nearby dates with a birthday celebration, with the support of Cake Craft by U. Each child received new party attire and footwear. The event featured food, cake-cutting, and collective birthday celebrations. Volunteers engaged with the children, even dressing up as toddlers to create a more joyful and immersive experience.

Phase 04: Mobile Health Clinic-Suwapath

A mobile health clinic was organized for underprivileged children. Necessary permissions were obtained from the Moratuwa MOH through early childhood development officers. The clinic was conducted at an underprivileged Montessori, Little Birds’ Early Childhood Development Institute, for children under five years old. Each child’s BMI was assessed, and a doctor provided health evaluations and guidance. This service was entirely free of charge, ensuring access to necessary healthcare for those in need.

Phase 05: Autism Awareness and Resource Website

This phase focused on providing educational and self-help resources for parents of autistic and neurodivergent children. As part of this initiative, the Autism Ceylon logo was unveiled, and Sri Lanka’s first bilingual autism self-help and resource website was launched.

A highly effective PR campaign was executed, incorporating real-life stories to make the content more relatable. Emily’s story played a central role in this initiative—her mother was contacted through Facebook and was eager to collaborate, allowing us to share their family’s journey as a foundation for the website’s launch.

The campaign prioritized inclusivity, considering the sensory needs of neurodivergent individuals. To avoid overstimulation, soft colors were used instead of bright ones. The website was brought to life with the collaboration of ඔටිසම් දරුවෙකු සමග ලෝකය දකිමු, who also contributed articles. Meanwhile, our team handled the promotional efforts and drove traffic to the platform. Within just 12 hours of the website’s launch, it had already reached 770 views—an incredible milestone.

The five phases of Diviyata Diviyak 4.0 addressed various critical aspects of maternal health and well-being. Through awareness programs, donation drives, healthcare services, celebrations, and digital resources, we were able to positively impact the lives of mothers and children in underprivileged communities. Diviyata Diviyak 4.0 was more than just a community service driven project—it was an initiative that challenged boundaries and shattered doors open for disadvantaged groups. We managed to cover many Sustainable Development Goals, namely No Poverty, Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Partnerships for the Goals & Sustainable Cities and Communities. Ultimately, the project successfully achieved its goal of fostering a healthier and more informed society.

Graphic Design by: Rtr. Manushi Rathnayake