Rotaract Clubs : Project Report 2023-2024
ROTARACT CLUB OF GOVERNMENT DENTAL COLLEGE
The Rotaract Club of Government Dental College has made significant contributions to community health and engagement throughout the Rotary Year 2023-24. Key among their initiatives were a series of nine Talwada Dental Camps, organised by the Rotary Club of Bombay at the Ajit Deshpande Medical Centre in Talwada. These camps provided essential oral healthcare to the remote village, treating 445 patients with various dental needs, including 210 extractions, 52 denture deliveries, 55 impressions, 24 restorations, 22 root canals, and 6 scalings.
Beyond dental health, the club also focused on cultural, educational, and wellness projects. The “Avo Garba Ramiye” event, a Garba Night sponsored by E-gurukul Platform, attracted 150 participants, fostering interaction and providing a festive break from daily routines. An online slogan writing competition debunked common myths with scientific facts, with winners announced on the club’s Instagram account. The World Diabetes Day Education Programme screened 112 patients and identified 8 with high blood sugar levels.
Artistic expression was encouraged through a Mandala Art Workshop, attended by 25 students and one staff member, where participants created and took home their mandalas. At BD Somani School, Cuff Parade, a dental camp screened and counselled 43 students on dental hygiene. The club celebrated the International Day of Women and Girls in STEM by honouring female achievements in science, presenting certificates and flowers to the Dean and female Heads of Department.
Further educational initiatives included an essay writing competition on educational pioneers and a photography and creative caption writing competition for World Oral Health Day and World Happiness Day. An oratory workshop by Dr. Siddhant Shivdavkar enhanced public speaking skills for 27 participants.
These events highlight the Rotaract Club of Government Dental College’s commitment to community engagement, health promotion, educational initiatives, and the personal and professional development of its members.
ROTARACT CLUB OF JAI HIND COLLEGE
The Rotaract Club of Jai Hind College has undertaken numerous community service projects, highlighting their commitment to compassion and social responsibility.
The club organised an appreciation event for police officers and delivered meals to slum areas, fostering unity. They tied Rakhis and showed gratitude to college staff and engaged children at an orphanage with games and safety sessions. Over 50 stray dogs were fed, and menstrual hygiene awareness drives benefited over 110 women in Aarey Colony.
Weekly donation drives addressed health, education, food insecurity, and safety, with highlights including providing a sewing machine and financial support to a widow. The club expressed gratitude to doctors, donated clothing to an NGO for disabled children, and planted saplings in Mahim Nature Park.
Activities for cancer patients and interactions with rescue dogs at WSD India’s Sewri centre brought joy. Food donation drives, honouring firefighters, providing lemonade to workers, collaborating on a ration donation drive, and donating books rounded out their year of service.
These projects underscore the Rotaract Club of Jai Hind College’s dedication to community welfare and engagement.
ROTARACT CLUB OF SYDENHAM COLLEGE
The Rotaract Club of Sydenham College (RCSC) has had a vibrant year filled with activities promoting bonding, community engagement, and environmental consciousness.
The club organised bonding sessions at Room No. 39, Sydenham College, featuring games and a dance performance, as well as a similar event at Aksa Beach, Malad, fostering camaraderie among members. A Halloween party at the college aimed at fundraising and club promotion, while the Rainbow Lane Inter-College Fest featured a rap battle and BGMI tournament.
RCSC provided Christmas celebrations at Babasaheb Ambedkar Municipal School and JK Marg School, engaging students in creative and fun activities. They also performed a flashmob at Asiatic Library for Republic Day, enhancing festivities and community spirit.
Members volunteered at a medical camp organised by Rotary Bombay at the Cotton Association of India, assisting with logistics and setup. The Ambiente ‘24 Cleanup Hike at Sondai Fort, Karjat, combined environmental consciousness with fundraising and team-building.
The club also combined adventure with charity during a night cycling event in Churchgate, where participants donated food to those in need. These activities highlight RCSC’s dedication to fostering connections, promoting community welfare, and encouraging environmental responsibility.
ROTARACT CLUB OF H.R. COLLEGE
The Rotaract Club of H.R. College (RCHR) has made significant strides in fostering community welfare and civic responsibility. In their “Lunch Box” initiative, the club distributed food boxes to visually impaired children at Victoria School for the Blind in Tardeo. “Sparkles” engaged autistic children at Jai Vakeel Foundation in crafting candles and diyas, while “Jeevdaya” involved feeding animals at Bhuleshwar Panjrapole. The “Magic On Wheels” project saw members distributing chocolates and playing games with children in the Colaba and Charni Road slums.
The club also organised “Utsav,” featuring blind painting, goal ball, and a dandiya night for visually impaired children, and “Tak Dhinak Dhin,” a dance competition for government school children, raising Rs. 50,000. In “Dil Se Dil Tak,” elderly ladies at Ananda Yaan Worli centre created diyas, fostering creativity and companionship. “Colour Carnival” promoted creativity through tie-dye activities with children at Bhavishya Yaan Byculla Centre.
During “Jingle All The Way,” the club celebrated Christmas with slum children through graffiti, donations, and church visits. “Prerna” brought joy to children with cancer at Access Life Organization in Chembur with games and a magic show. “Bag Full Of Happiness” involved painting tote bags with elderly ladies, providing functional art, while “Art Of Kindness” taught gratitude through pebble painting at NM Joshi Municipal School.
RCHR’s “Lunchbox Langar” distributed food at Gurudwara Shri Dashmesh Darbar, and “Back To Childhood” involved playing nostalgic games with elderly ladies at Ananda Yaan. The “Katputli” puppet show entertained children at Lighthouse Centre, while “Unsung Heroes” acknowledged the work of sweepers on August Kranti Road. “Cuddly Buddies” promoted animal welfare by feeding stray dogs at Welfare for Stray Dogs, Sewri, and “Planting Hope” encouraged environmental consciousness by planting saplings in Aarey Colony.
The “Sanjeevni” medical camp, in collaboration with other Rotaract clubs, provided free healthcare in Ramgad Vahasat Slum. “Pehchaan” prepared underprivileged children for college in partnership with KurNiv Foundation at Atlas Skilltech University. “Dil Se Daan,” a month-long donation drive, provided essential items to needy communities. “Paathshaala” taught life lessons and engaged children at Gulalwadi School through various activities.
Notably, the “Aashayein – Adopt a Village” initiative has, over 10 years, significantly developed villages in drought-affected central Maharashtra. This project has constructed 18 wells, lit up 4 villages, supported entrepreneurs, and improved sanitation, with a total expenditure exceeding Rs. 50 lakh raised through fundraisers and donations.