Interact Club of Asian International School Annual Health Camp – Cure
The 24th of March was an important day for the Interact Club of Asian International School. This day was a testament of the capabilities of the Club and its committee. It was the day of the Club’s biggest project for the years 2011/ 12: the annual health camp, entitled ‘Cure’. This year ICAIS took the initiative of conducting the health camp outside Colombo, in the beautiful village of Po l g asow i t a , Pahalagama.
The project was carried out by chairpersons Int. Sadiyah Afzal and Int. Gowtham Gunasekaran and a team of 46 Interactors including 3 teachers of AIS. They were accompanied by Dr. Pradeepa Jayasekara, Dr. Indu Perera, Dr. Mahesh Harischandra and Dr. Somasundaram who had volunteered to provide free consultation for the residents of Polgasowita. The total number of patients who were able to consult the doctors exceeded 500. Afterwards each patient was also able to acquire the medication that they were prescribed from the in- house pharmacy that ICAIS had set up.
Under the supervision of the pharmacists Mr. Manoj and Mr. Ranajan as well as the nurse Mrs. Thilakaratne, Interactors themselves handled the essential drugs and gave each patient the required dosage according to the prescriptions. Interactors handled this responsibility
with much caution and truly valued the experience.
For three successive years, the health camps conducted by ICAIS have not only been providing consultation and medicines to the less fortunate, but also free glasses to the visually impaired. This year the custom was continued and 325 residents of Polgasowita were given reading glasses. In addition to that, ICAIS also provided a blood glucose test to 70 patients and was able to organize a Milo truck much to the delight of the Interactors and the residents.
“Despite the massive logistic hurdles we faced,” remarked President Int. Zafarali Ahmed, “our gamble to take a health camp to our adopted village, Polgasowita, paid off.” ICAIS extends its gratitude to all those who made this project a successthe doctors, parents, teachers, technicians, pharmacists and all their generous sponsors as well as the donors of the medicine. ICAIS also greatly appreciates the assistance that the residents of Polgasowita provided in making this vision a reality.
This year’s health camp is an indication of the Club’s determination in rendering service towards the community and addressing its difficulties. Such projects greatly benefit the Interactors as well and develop their leadership and communication skills, moulding them into considerate and compassionate individuals. The memory of this project will always be treasured by these Interactors throughout their journey of ‘ Service Above Self ’.
What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world is immortal.
~Albert Pike