Meet Lakshmi, someone who finds immense joy in doing for others
Full Name : Lakshmi Jaliyagodage
Nickname : Jali
School : Musaeus College
Higher studies : APIIT Sri Lanka affiliated to University of Staffordshire
Activities : Rotaract Club of Colombo North, Rotaract District 3220 Sri Lanka
This week we will be taking a break from our usual line-up of personalities from the worlds of fashion, glamour, music and acting, as we turn our eyes to this lovely young lady, who has devoted her life to social work. She is Lakshmi, age 23, and she contributes her talent, time and energy for social work. Many young boys and girls of today are busy chasing after education and even jobs in order to keep up with the world’s pace; and not many manage their time well enough to devote their time for social work. This may be because many don’t consider social work to be a necessity.
I met up with Lakshmi for a personal chat to find out “how she does it”.
How do you engage in social work on a day to day basis?
Currently I am an active member of Rotaract Club of Clombo North, Rotaract Sri Lanka District 3220. This is the second year of my service as the community service director for Rotaract Club of Colombo North. This is a place where I actually got the opportunity to engage in community services in a larger scale and also to interact with people who have a similar passion and desire to serve the community. During the past year I have been a part of several projects such as book donation projects, health camps, visits and donations to Lawries Girls' Home, Borella and All Ceylon Buddhist Ladies Association Elders' Home, and also renovating a few schools.
How do you strike a balance between profession and social activities?
Lot of planning and coordination is required to handle large scale community projects and it is a time consuming task. Some of the projects require lots of financial commitments as well. In my view it’s all about self-satisfaction where you make someone feel our presence and give them a little bit of love. A small difference you make leads to a greater change of the world.
Professionally I am engaged in the marketing field which requires long hours of work; there is lot of work stress involved in this field. But my passion for serving the community won’t stop me from any personal commitments. As they say, “If there is a will there is always a way”.
Where is all this social work leading you to? What’s your ultimate goal?
This is a question that my close friends and family ask me very often. I’ve never had any other goal out of social work. It’s just my mental satisfaction I am after. On so many occasions, my friends and family have asked me “Lakshmi, what do you get from doing all these, are you fed up with your life?”. And I’ve always answered them, “That happiness you get by putting a smile on a less fortunate cannot be gained by doing any other thing”.
What is the reaction, support from your home front for your work?
My parents are also engaged in community service but not to the same level as me. They do appreciate the fact that I like to serve the community and they support me in every possible way by encouraging me.
I have seen some social workers or community workers who are members of renowned clubs and societies, using their contacts, opportunities for their own personal gains. What’s your view on that?
Honestly I have never gotten any personal gain out of the societies or the clubs in which I am involved. But I know for a fact that some join clubs just to add some value to their CVs. They have no intention of serving anyone. They just want to make some connections for themselves. This is such a sad fact.
What’s your personal note to those who say ‘community work and social work are just a waste of time’?
The people who say this is a waste of time are the people who expect personal gains. If you are expecting monetary benefits by social work then you are not the type of person who should be a part of this field. This is all about self-satisfaction and adding value to your life.
Personally do you believe big organisations like the Red Cross, UNHCR etc. are doing a valuable and genuine service to the nation?
I have heard and read about the great deal of work they do. I believe they are actually doing a pretty good job, but I lack the information to elaborate on this and to give an opinion.
Interview & pics by Jayantha Fernando
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0 Comments
INSAFNIZAM says:
Jul 26, 2013 at 12:00 amI'M VERY PROUD ABOUD YOU.
Seriously says:
Jul 26, 2013 at 12:00 amFinally LIFE Online listen to our comments, Thank you, DM, Life Online
fathuhy says:
Jul 29, 2013 at 12:00 amOutstanding and keep it up...
Bunny says:
Oct 15, 2013 at 12:00 amI am happy for you
Sudarsha De Silva says:
Feb 15, 2014 at 12:00 amAll the best keep up the good work Sudarsha De Silva Founder -Earthlanka Youth Network