Written By: Rtr. Ruchini Arshinsani

A little spark that grew into a vibrant blaze!

The year 2011 marked not only the birth of RACUSJ but also the beginning of a powerful legacy. What began as a simple idea on a rainy September day fifteen years ago, thanks to the vision of our past secretary of RI year 2011-12, Rtr. Anupama, has now flourished into a proud and leading club in Rotaract District 3220.

Today, as we celebrate 15 years of brilliance of RACUSJ, through this article, we hope to honour our pioneers who lit the spark of RACUSJ and bring out memories from the memory lane of the first year of RACUSJ.

A bunch of passionate young leaders united together with one mission- to create a platform where service, friendship, and leadership could thrive. None could have predicted that this humble beginning to serve the community would one day grow into a legacy of countless projects, friendships, and unforgettable memories.

The first year was filled with challenges, experiments, and striking memories. As our charter members, led by our first president, Rtr. PP. Asiri Weliwatta valued quality over quantity; the first RI year was all about organizing a very few, but impactful projects such as the toy drive and clothes drive that supported more than 1000 families. By this, our pioneers showed that service could be both simple but powerful. No matter whether a project is massive or a simple fundraiser like an ice cream stall, every project strengthened the bond between the members and built the spirit of unity and fellowship that still defines RACUSJ today.

From the first project, RACUSJ breathed life into projects that were based on the ideas of our past members themselves. Despite being a brand-new club, RACUSJ quickly made its mark by executing award-winning projects. What made the first year significant was not just the projects, but the spirit of teamwork. The charter president and the board of directors never acted like leaders above others- instead, they worked as a team walking towards a common target, learning together, making mistakes, and gaining strength and new experiences with each step they took. The biggest breakthrough in the first year, I guess, is RACUSJ being recognized as one of the Best Charter Clubs in the Rotaract District 3220.

The momentum carried forward into the second year – as the club rapidly grew to over 100 members and proudly secured its very first Rotary International Citation- a milestone reached under the guidance of our Rtr. PP Devin Jayasundera. This reflects both RACUSJ’s rising influence and the dedication of our past Rotaractors.

The spirit of unity and service born in the first year still guides us today- reminding us that every milestone we reach is built upon the determination of our past members. Looking back now, the first year was more than just a starting point. It was the foundation upon which 15 years of accomplishments have been laid. As we look ahead, we carry forward the same values that shaped our past leaders- serving others above oneself, camaraderie beyond limits, and leadership without hierarchy.

The courage, creativity, and resilience that ignited in the hearts of our very first set of Rotaractors still burns with the same brilliance today.

Their legacy inspires us to dream bigger, serve better, and carry the fire of Rotaract for generations to come.

Graphic Design by: Rtr. Manaal Zainab