Kindred Kidney’s donation phase was targeted at facilitating of essential needs of CKD patients. This included financial support rendered to Sri Lanka KIdney Patients’ Association (SLKPA) to get medicinal drugs and conduct medical tests for Kidney patients. The project was conducted upon a request by SLKPA to support the medication of CKD and support Dialysis treatment of Kidney patients during these economically unstable situations in the country.
As per the information given by SLKPA weekly cost for dialysis which is born up through the Hemodialysis project which supports the dialysis treatments of CKD patients amounts to LKR 82,376.00 per 20 patients and the annual cost was estimated to be LKR 3 954,048.00. These costs were essentially covered by SLKPA through the fundraising campaigns conducted by the organisation.However, with the COVID -19 pandemic breakdown and the existing economic concerns the funding for these treatments and patients’ supportive activities faced challenges.
The increasing number of death tolls due to CKD was also reported to increase with the hardships that these families faced with fewer stocks in medical drugs and increased prices of drugs which made time a more crucial factor in this challenging situation. Thus as per the requirements gathered by the SLKPA the Kindred Kidneys Donation Phase was conducted to provide funds for these requirements. Thus fundraising activities were planned via an effective public awareness campaign conducted via official social media pages including Facebook and Instagram and via Go Fund Me fundraisers which were initiated by members of Rotaract Club of ALumni of University of Moratuwa. The total contribution to the funds of SLKPA from the KIndred Kidneys Donation Phase was 233,732.00.
This was acknowledged by the SLKPA for the support rendered throughout the year for assisting CKD patients in Sri Lanka.
Suwa Arana an initiative by Rotaract Alumni Mora continuing its 4th consecutive year with an objective of fulfilling medical requirements of the country. The project consists of two sub projects, Blood Donation Campaign and the donation of medicine to Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH). As Sri Lanka has a universal health care system that extends free healthcare to all citizens, faces with many challenges due to COVID-19 and the current economic crisis. As Rotaractors, this is a little support for the country’s health sector to face the challenges in a positive attitude.
Phase 1: Blood Donation Campaign
The Rotaract Club of Alumni of University of Moratuwa with the collaboration of Siri Wangeesa Dhamma School of Sri Wijeyarama Temple, Piliyandala, identifies the immediate need for action as per a special request made by, National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS). This humanitarian effort was named as Suwa Arana 22.1 with the objective of fulfilling the urgent blood requirement in the country. The chairperson of the project was Rtr. Dinushani Wickramarachchi, who contacted the necessary parties and initiated the project with fellow Rotaractors in this time of difficulty.
The team has made this effort into reality on 5th of February 2022 at the Sri Wijeyarama Temple premises, Piliyandala. The staff of the Narahenpita Central Blood Bank engaged in the collection procedure. The refreshments were facilitated by the Sri Wijeyarama Temple with the support of parents and teachers of Dhamma School.
It was really a challenge to conduct the campaign by adhering to safety measures governed in the country due to COVID-19 while ensuring the collection of safe blood. Other than the medical staff, the organizing team took all the necessary precautions from the beginning to the end of the project to prevent the viral spread. The specific health requirements given by the NBTS to qualify as a safe blood donor were published prior to the campaign through social media. On the campaign day, all the necessary arrangements were there to rectify the threat. Hand washing areas, hand sanitizers, and face masks were facilitated to the participants.
Suwa Arana campaign ended up being a huge success and was able to have 117 successful donations from 150+ registrations. This was such a splendid event to showcase the shining human qualities of our people even with the barriers due to COVID-19.
The continuous and immense support from Kadurupokune Dhammaloka Thero, teachers, and parents of Siri Wangeesa Dhamma School for to have a successful blood donation campaign was appreciated. Moreover, the service of the medical staff of the NBTS and the Blood Bank also needs to be mentioned admirably.
Phase 2: Donation of Vital Medicine to LRH
Due to the prevailing economic crisis of the country, the hospitals are running out of life saving medications and surgical items. Sri Lanka has a universal health care system that extends free healthcare to all citizens, which has been a national priority. OPD facilities are readily available in public (general) hospitals situated in major towns and cities, with laboratory and radiology facilities common in most. This was the previous status of the health sector of the country before the economic crisis. Apart from running out of the medicine, the existing medicine prices are too expensive which cannot afford.
Rtr. Sachitha Bandara initiated the donation drive for LRH based on the requirements posted by the hospital. The team has identified the donation of medicine was important at the moment with the economic crisis. The team successfully donated the following vital medicines worth around 50,000 LKR from the collected donations.
Beta dine Solution 100 ml -08
Cal Bind 17 g -17
Probeta drop 7.5 ml -05
Phylopen 250 mg Per tab -19
Probeta N Drop 7.5 ml -25
Phytomenadione 10 mg -40
Rolac 30 mg -17
The donation phase was happened on the 19th of May 2022 at Lady Ridgeway Hospital.
Special thanks for all the donors and the project OC for completing the project within a short duration as it was a gift of life for some patients.
Together as One is a joint initiative with Rotaract Clubs of Hatton-Kotagala and Faculty of Medicine, SUSL focusing on the improving the nutrition value of the meals, nutritious diets for maternal health and small space Gardening techniques in the estate sector of the country. The targeted area is Dayagama in Nuwara Eliya District. The target audience is mainly the tea estate workers. Large inequalities exist in their access to and the utilization of, health services. Estate workers are largely dependent on the estate’s management for their basic needs such as housing, health, and education.
The project was held on 22nd of May at CP/N/Dayagama Tamil Vidyalayam, Dayagama, the targeted audience was general public in the Dayagama Estate Area including pregnant women and the children of the area. The children were engaged for the project because it assisted them to adapt to the accurate nutritional best practices from the younger age.
Session 1: Improving the nutrition value of the daily meals
The resource person for the session was Mrs. Nadeesha Nilmini, Lecturer in Department of Biochemistry of Faculty of Medicine, Sabaragamuwa University Sri Lanka and a Registered Dietitian & Nutritionist in SLMC. The session was mainly targeted on adapting to the best practices on nutrition education. The session covered on the methods of adding a nutritional value to the regular meals of Estate workers such as Roti etc. As per the initial community assessment done by us most of the Estate workers’ starchy food consumption is in higher level and their knowledge on the nutritional value of their meal also in a low condition. The resource person provided tips to reduce the starchy food consumption and the methods to make a rich food combination by adding green leaves and vegetables for their regular meal. As a future step of the project, there is plan to monitor their daily consumption to get the idea about their meals and provide suggestions to improve their life styles.
Session 2: Nutritious diets for maternal health
The second session was mainly targeted the pregnant women in the Dayagama Area. The resource person was Rtr. Jaazim Adhnan who is a medical student of Faculty of Medicine, Sabaragamuwa University Sri Lanka. The main focus on the need of additional nutritional value for the pregnant women during their pregnancy period. This was an interactive session followed by a Q/A session. Many questions were asked from the audience regarding the nutritional diet they should follow and the Rotaractors from Rotaract Club of FOM, SUSL were provided the required solutions for them to follow.
Session 3: Small space Gardening techniques
The third session was focusing on the gardening techniques which was done by the Rtr. Kaviyugan Prashanth. This session was the support system for the previous two sessions as it targeted on planting and gardening in estate areas. The session covered the usage of recycle materials for gardening such as plastic bottles, plastic cups etc. The resource person also demonstrated the step by step process to make a simple planting pot using a plastic bottle. There will be a monitorization of gardening techniques of themselves as the next step of the project.
The feedback session also conducted to get the comments about the session and to know about their requirements related to the domain. A donation of seed packets also happened as a support for gardening practices.
Mangroves are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. In Sri Lanka mangroves occur along the sheltered inertial coastlines associated with estuaries and lagoons. The largest tracts of mangrove habitats in Sri Lanka are found in Puttlam Lagoon, Kala Oya basin and Trincomalee. Mangroves are associated with woody, seed-bearing and highly specialized plants. Mangroves exist in harsh environments with anaerobic soils, tidal currents, high salinity, high temperature and strong winds 30 to 35 0C. Therefore, to survive and grow under such environmental conditions mangrove plants have developed many morphological and physiological adaptations
Mangrove Eco-system is also important as a habitat for fauna including birds by providing food and resting and roosting sites to a number of wetland birds including migrant ones. Human population living near the coast also have benefited from the mangroves as it provides many benefits for their livelihoods. With the increase of human population, the demand for these vital Eco-systems has been increased to a rather unsustainable level and thus the depletion of the resource in many areas of the country.
The floristic diversity of mangrove Eco-system in Sri Lanka is rich compared to many countries. This is due to the diversity of climatic, edaphic and hydrological aspects of the coastal region. Mangrove species of 29 different types have been identified in Sri Lanka so far.
In addition, the diversity of mangrove associates is also a unique feature in the mangroves of this country. The rich species diversity has given a more established less fragile character to the mangrove Eco-system. This could be seen in abandoned prawn farms in Puttalam District where pioneer mangroves are growing with other pioneer species. Table 1 illustrates the floristic diversity of true mangroves.
Rotaract Alumni Mora extending the project scope to mangrove conservation under the project “Marathon Towards Greenery” organized a mangrove awareness session along with a mangrove plantation which was successfully completed on 18th of March 2022.
Kindred Kidneys is a project, initiated by the Rotaract Club of Alumni of University of Moratuwa in the year 2018 as an international service initiative with the Rotaract Club of KairósXalapa (District 4185). This year Rotaract Alumni Mora has planned to extend its scope by collaborating it with the community service avenue as well. The main objectives of this project are to increase awareness regarding Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and helping the innocent people who suffered from CKD. The project is done in collaboration with the Samastha Lanka Kidney Patients Association (SLKPA).
On the 17th of January 2022, the first phase of Kindred Kidneys took place at Kelaniya Raja MahaViharaya. Our Rotaractors from Rotaract Alumni Mora together with members of the Samastha Lanka Kidney Patients Association engaged in selling their quarterly publication ‘Wakugaduwa’ which is the first kidney-related newspaper published in Sri Lanka. It is a newspaper rich in articles that educate about chronic disease. Many of the devotees visiting Kelaniya Raja MahaViharaya extended their helping hand in buying the informative newspaper. It was our pleasure to enhance the efforts put in by the SLKPA and to create awareness among the public regarding the seriousness of kidney diseases.
Rotaract Alumni Mora is excited to shape up Kindred Kidneys more vividly and frequently. The next phase is planned to roll out very soon, and we hope to see you all there, contributing towards this worthy cause!
Being diagnosed with kidney disease can be a huge challenge, both for the patient and their family members. Its diagnosis and management, particularly in advanced stages of kidney disease, impact severely upon their lives. For instance, it reduces their and that of family and friends ability to participate in everyday activities like work, travel, and socializing whilst causing numerous problematic side effects.
Being a strength to the warriors of life…
Accordingly, ‘සුව සවි’ is an initiative organized by Rotaract Club of Alumni of University of Moratuwa under the signature project, Kindred Kidneys. With the pandemic, we held this to donate masks and sanitizers to Samastha Lanka Kidney Patients Association (SLKPA). It was a great opportunity to be a strength for those warriors who are battered with suffering, dialysis, and transplants with regard to their kidney problems.
We initiated the project with the objective of celebrating World Kidney Day which was on the 11th of March. The World Kidney Day Steering Committee has declared 2021, as the year of “Living Well with Kidney Disease”. Their aim is to increase both education and awareness about effective symptom management and patient empowerment. Eventually, the ultimate goal is to encourage life participation.
We stand for the empowerment,
Whilst effective measures to prevent kidney disease and its progression are important, patients with kidney disease – including those who depend on dialysis and transplantation – and their care-partners should also feel supported. Especially during pandemics and other challenging periods, the concerted efforts of kidney care communities are essential. In addition, along with Suwa Sawi, we set a PR post series on 7 Golden rules of Kidney Disease Prevention. Check these posts which we have attached here at the end and make yourself aware!!
In collaboration with Eco Life…
Eco Life, a Sri Lankan-based eco-friendly cleaning solution provider offered their generous hand as the healthcare partner of ‘සුව සවි’. Finally, the donation session of ‘සුව සවි’ was successfully held on 6th March at the Samastha Lanka Kidney Patients Association. Along with the support of the team at Eco Life, we could donate sanitizer liquid (5L), disinfectants (10L), and face masks (200).
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Eco Life, and all the generous souls who extended their helping hand in making this endeavor a success. We, Rotaract Alumni Mora strived to continue our service towards the empowerment of lives and the prevention of Kidney disease. Together, we can build a blessed nation free of Kidney diseases !.
The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.
Albert Einstein
We all have special days in our lives that we would like to celebrate with our close ones to share the joy. It may be a birthday, graduation day, wedding day or even the day you became a parent. No matter what, we all prefer to receive surprises, gifts and parties to remind the value of ourselves in our loved ones’ hearts.
What if we make someone happy on that special day and celebrate it with them? Or in other words, what if we become the sunshine in someone’s rainy day?
This was the thought that drove us towards having the series ‘Share the Joy’ as we, Rotaractors of Alumni of University of Moratuwa, perpetually attempt to make a difference in someone’s life. In other words, this is an opportunity to celebrate our birthdays by helping some innocent souls to gather beautiful memories in their lives and bring smiles on their innocent faces.
Service considers no barriers…
The current pandemic situation could not deter this meritorious endeavour that we do annually. As in previous years, we didn’t have the privilege to interact with children to share our joy and experience. Hence the team decided to organise this year’s Share the Joy with a different touch in its execution.
Thus, as the initial stage, we contacted several child protection centers to approach centers with requirements that are needed to be fulfilled. Accordingly, we chose Nutrition Centre for Infants – Sarvodaya Suwasetha Sewa Society, which is home to 25 babies under 3 years of age and provides them with medical care, clinical services and nutrition, to conduct Share the Joy 20.1.
We went to the place and discussed with them regarding the requirements of the infants. One of their main requirements was mattresses for the infants. This time we invited all the Rotaractors who celebrated their birthdays in July, August, September and October to be a part of this generous act. We emphasized to them the importance and speciality of this meritorious act as this was a different kind of a donation in Share the Joy history compared to previous phases.
A coming together of generous souls…
We managed to collect a significant monetary donation and other materialistic donations for this from the members for a worthy cause. Our plan was to buy 7 mattresses and buy Rexine covers for those mattresses considering the durability. We donated those 15 customized mattresses for babies on 18th of December at Sarvodaya Suwasetha Sewa Society Moratuwa.
Rotaract Alumni Mora expresses our sincere gratitude for all the members who helped us to make this phase a great success. We sincerely hope that we will receive the same earnest support from all generous souls for the future phases of this noble endeavour.
