Water is a basic necessity of life, yet many communities around the world continue to face the daunting challenge of accessing clean and reliable water sources. Nagala Village, nestled in the picturesque region of Bibile, Monaragala, is one such community. However, a glimmer of hope has emerged in the form of Project Gamwardhanaya—an ongoing initiative driven by RACUOCFMF with the aim of establishing a comprehensive water distribution system in this village.
ජලය ජීවත් වීමට අවශ්ය මූලික සාධකයක් වුව ද ලොව වටා නොයෙකුත් සමාජ පිරිසිදු ජලය ලබා ගැනීමට නොයෙකුත් අභියෝගවලට මුහුණ දෙති. මොණරාගල බිබිලේ ප්රදේශයේ පිහිටා ඇති නාගල ගම්මානය එවන් සමාජයකි. කෙසේ නමුත්, RACUOCFMF විසින් ගම්මානයට ජාල පද්ධතියක් පිහිටවනු වස් දියත් කරන ලද ගම්වර්ධනය ව්යාපෘතිය එම ගැටලුව විසඳීමේ බලාපොරොත්තුවක් ලබා දුනි.
தண்ணீர் என்பது வாழ்க்கையின் அடிப்படைத் தேவையாகும், இருப்பினும் உலகெங்கிலும் உள்ள பல சமூகங்கள் சுத்தமான மற்றும் நம்பகமான நீர் ஆதாரங்களை அணுகுவதற்கான கடினமான சவாலை தொடர்ந்து எதிர்கொள்கின்றன. மொனராகலை, பிபிலின் அழகிய பிரதேசத்தில் அமைந்துள்ள நாகல கிராமம் அத்தகைய ஒரு சமூகமாகும். எவ்வாறாயினும், இந்த கிராமத்தில் ஒரு விரிவான நீர் விநியோக முறையை நிறுவும் நோக்கத்துடன் RACUOCFMF ஆல் உந்தப்பட்டு வரும் திட்ட கம்வர்தனய வடிவில் நம்பிக்கையின் பிரகாசம் வெளிப்பட்டுள்ளது.
Continuing the efforts from the previous Rotary International year, Project Gamwardhanaya has set its sights on transforming the lives of the villagers in Nagala. The primary focus of the project this year was to secure the remaining funds necessary for its successful completion. Determined to achieve this financial target, the project team embarked on a creative endeavor that would not only raise awareness but also tug at the heartstrings of potential supporters. A documentary became the centerpiece of their strategy. The team saw it as an opportunity to shed light on the circumstances of Nagala Village and the daily struggles faced by its community due to the absence of a functional water distribution system. From the 4th to the 7th of November, 2022, the project team immersed themselves in the village, ready to capture its essence on film.
The cameras started rolling on the 5th of November, with Rtr. Melisha taking on the role of commentator and Rtr. Sanjana Wanigasekara skillfully operating the camera. The documentary aimed to encapsulate the essence of the village, showcase the progress made through Project Gamwardhanaya, and amplify the voices of the villagers as they shared their experiences and the challenges they faced.
The first day of filming focused on capturing the beauty and reality of Nagala Village. The team made sure to showcase the advancements achieved through the project, highlighting the positive impact it had already made on the community. This footage painted a vibrant picture of hope and progress, leaving no doubt that change was within reach.
The subsequent day was dedicated to capturing the testimonies and interviews of the village community members. It was a chance for them to have their voices heard and to express their experiences and struggles directly. Providing a platform for the villagers to share their stories not only added authenticity to the documentary but also allowed viewers to connect with the human aspect of the project.
The project team went the extra mile by donating a water purifier to a family in the village that resided closest to the location of the well. This act of kindness brought immediate relief to a household, illustrating the tangible impact that the project aimed to achieve.
After the filming was complete, the task of refining the recorded footage fell into the capable hands of Rtr. Sanjana Wanigasekara. Simultaneously, the Blog team worked diligently to create and incorporate subtitles into the final video product. The end result was a captivating documentary that weaved together the village’s story, the challenges it faced, and the hope for a better future.
The documentary proved to be a turning point for Project Gamwardhanaya. It captured the hearts and minds of viewers, creating a powerful emotional connection that inspired support and generosity. Through this moving portrayal of the village’s struggles, the project team succeeded in securing the necessary funds to implement the remainder of the project.
As the wheels of Project Gamwardhanaya continue to turn, the people of Nagala Village can rest assured that their voices have been heard. The efforts of the project team and the generosity of supporters are gradually turning dreams into reality.
Written By:-
Rtr. Vishvi Wijethunga
(Co-Director – Community Service – 2022-23)
