Project Miles of Smiles 7.0.

 The third phase “Suwathra” marks the final chapter of a journey driven by impact, compassion, and community engagement of the Project Miles of Smiles 7.0. This phase is being carried out through two key initiatives scheduled for completion within the month of April, bringing the entire project to a meaningful conclusion. 

On 7th of April, Leo Club of University of Colombo proudly established a fully equipped first aid room to enhance the health and hygiene of students of Elpitiya Ananda Central College as the 1st initiative of the 3rd phase “Suwathra”.

The event brought together a diverse and committed group of participants, including Deputy Principal Mr. Dayarathne, Sri Lanka Youth Provincial Director Mr. Sarath Kodikara, and Youth Service Officer Mr. Gamini Edirisinghe.  The occasion was further enriched by the participation of the Youth Divisional Federation of Elpitiya, whose members not only attended but also made a valuable labour contribution toward the initiative. As well Teachers and students of Elpitiya Ananda Central College were actively engaged in the event. With the participation of all invitees, the first aid room was ceremonially opened. 

The school requested that they haven’t a first aid room. So, our Leo Club tried to fill that gap with this project. Then we contacted the principal of the school. Thereafter, A room that was in a dilapidated state was selected on March and transformed into a fully functional sick room through a series of essential improvements which began first week of April and we immediately finished the improvements and made available it to students by 7th of April . The space was repaired and repainted to create a clean and welcoming environment. Two beds were arranged to accommodate students in need of rest and care. In addition, a scale , a well- equipped first aid box was introduced, containing essential medical supplies and basic emergency care items. 

The project was carried out through a team-based and community-supported fundraising approach. Funds were mainly raised through ticket selling, crochet items selling stalls and contributions from supporters, Old Boys Association of Ananda Central College and well-wishers. Team members were actively involved in fundraising activities, and a friendly competition was created to increase participation and motivation. Careful planning and responsible financial management ensured that all funds were used effectively to maximise the impact of each initiative.

The main objective of this initiative was to transform a previously dilapidated sick room into a fully equipped and functional first aid room that supports the health and well-being of students.  The project focused on creating a safe and accessible environment where students can receive immediate first aid and basic medical attention when needed. Through this effort, a complete and revitalized sick room was successfully established within the school premises which is designed to benefit not only the current students but also future generations. As a result, the initiative is expected to serve a countless beneficiaries, while promoting student safety, improving health awareness, and fostering a more supportive learning environment. 

"Suwathra" stands as more than the establishment of a medical room; it represents a lasting investment in student health, safety, and well-being. By transforming a neglected space into a fully functional resource and prioritizing the immediate care of students, this initiative has created a safer environment where education and physical welfare go hand in hand.

Leo Club of University of Colombo remains committed to the spirit of this project, ensuring that it continues to serve as a vital support system for the students of Elpitiya Ananda Central College. As we conclude the 1st initiative of the 3rd phase of Project Miles of Smiles 7.0, we leave behind a legacy of care that will safeguard the health and focus of young learners for generations to come.

While our first initiative focused on health and hygiene, our second initiative tackled another urgent issue: children safety. Since we wanted to reach as many people as possible, we skipped the usual physical event and went completely to online platforms. By hosting a virtual awareness program via Zoom and broadcasting it across high-follower social media pages, it could be able to share it with a huge community. 

Today, social media is where people spend their time. Therefore, choosing an online platform allowed us to connect with a massive, diverse community that we could never have reached in a single room.

The core of this initiative was a  two-hour zoom session on 26th of April, led by Attorney-at-Law P.K. Manawa Nanayakkara, a respective lecturer from the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo.(Zoom session recording :  https://youtu.be/eMFIz-Fa_T0?si=WFeNUpKzKqozTFVZ) The session explored child abuse and deeply analyzed computer crimes. Specifically, we warned about cyber bullying, sexual exploitation, data misuse, exposure to harmful content, and online scams. As well as the session discussed about the limitations of online freedom, ways to reduce internet addiction, and how to protect personal data. We also focused heavily on building mental resilience in young minds throughout this session.

Even though strong child protection laws exist in Sri Lanka and globally, awareness is  low. When a child becomes a victim of abuse or a cybercrime, both the child and the parents often have no idea what legal actions to take. Because of that, this session wasn't just for children. We strongly focused on educating adults, equipping parents with the exact steps to take to protect their children and fight back legally.

To make an even deeper impact, simultaneous to the 2nd initiative of the 3rd phase, we produced and launched  a short film and a documentary video on the 30th of April. ( https://youtu.be/Hx3czEoiIRE?si=XsoFgxuYAg2S9Byd) Children are often the most helpless and voiceless members of our society. Therefore, our short film was designed to reflect this exact vulnerability, acting as a wake-up call to the public.

Paired with this, we released a documentary created in collaboration with undergraduates from the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. This video broke down the complex legal framework of Sri Lanka into simple, understandable terms to the general public. 

We shared these videos across social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. By blending expert legal advice with emotional storytelling on the digital platforms where people are most active, we successfully spread a crucial message that child safety is everyone's responsibility, and we all have the power to take action.

With that, Project Miles of Smiles 7.0 successfully comes to an end, leaving behind a much safer and healthier world for our children. This legacy of care and protection will surely empower our community for many generations.

By Leo Chulanee Nuwanthika