Rotary and Helpage in novel project to uplift vulnerable communities

The Rotary Club of Colombo Uptown and Helpage Sri Lanka ( HASL) recently joined forces in a novel project to support vulnerable communities with a special focus on young children and the elderly in seven plantation estates at Naarthupana Village in the Kalutara District.

Around 150 primary school students received special gift packs consisting of a new school bag, crayons, paints and other stationery items and a year’s supply of exercise books whilst more than 200 male and female workers and senior citizens were the beneficiaries of a Mobile Medical and Eye Camp.

Communities from the estates of Neuchatel, Forcester, Hill Stream, Kobowella, Mirishena, Millakanda and Halwathura - all managed by Horana Plantation Ltd were assessed by the Helpage medical team.

In addition to medical support provided by Dr Erandi Kularathne, Medical Officer - non communicable diseases, around 60 beneficiaries will receive bifocal spectacles made to the right prescription within a month – free of charge. Another 44 elders were referred to the HelpAge Eye Hospital at Wellawatte for free cataract surgery. The total cost of the joint project of school books, Mobile Medical and Eye Camp is estimated at over 1 million rupees.

The activities then moved the next day to Nikahetikande in the Gampaha District and the Yatawaka Primary School where Rotary once again presented special school gift packs to the children who began their schooling in Grade 1 this year. Joining the Rotary Club of Colombo Uptown in this worthy project was the Rotary Club of Clackamas in Canada who made a generous contribution of USD 550 towards the project.