What happens when you throw 25 energetic Rotaractors into a beachside villa with no schedule except to bond hard and play harder? You get Project Synergist, the ultimate two-day team-building escape by the Rotaract Club of SLIIT. Hosted at the stunning Olivia Bungalow in Wattala, right next to the beach, this was more than just a retreat. It was a chaotic, laughter-filled, unforgettable kickoff to our Rotaract year.

🏡 Day 1

As we arrived at the villa, the salty sea breeze and the distant sound of crashing waves greeted us. The beach wasn’t accessible, but its presence added a relaxing backdrop to the villa’s vibrant atmosphere. Soon after settling in, we all gathered, broke the ice with lots of laughter, and got split into random teams. The energy was high, and everyone was ready to dive into the fun that awaited.

After a delicious lunch, our President and Vice Presidents shared their vision for the upcoming year. Their words hit different, maybe it was the sea in the background, maybe it was the excitement bubbling up inside us.

Then came the main event: the Scavenger Hunt.

It all began with the challenge of finding a crumpled piece of paper hidden somewhere within the villa. Once found, chaos truly erupted. The task list included flipping bottles under pressure, blindfolded three-legged races, and diving into the pool to fish out a coin like our lives depended on it. Screams, splashes, and some creative cheating? Absolutely.

As the sun dipped over the ocean, we headed straight for pool time, soaked, tired, and loving every minute of it. We had splash wars, impromptu water aerobics, and debates about who cheated during the scavenger hunt (spoiler: everyone did).

After dinner, it was time to wind down, or so we thought. A few games of UNO turned into full-blown tournaments. And then came Mafia, alliances, betrayal, laughter, and dramatic accusations. Sleep? Only if you got “eliminated.” We finally surrendered to sleep at 3AM, beach breeze still drifting through the windows.

☀️ Day 2

Despite the zombie eyes, everyone crawled out of bed by 7:30 AM. With tea mugs in hand, we gathered for breakfast and tried to look alive, which mostly meant avoiding eye contact with anyone who betrayed us in Mafia.

Then came the productive part: Secretary Training, followed by each avenue presenting their plans for the year. Even through yawns, you could feel the passion in the room. Big things are coming.

Project Synergist wasn’t just about games or beach views. It was about strangers becoming teammates, teammates becoming family. In 36 hours, we built more than a board, we built trust, memories, and a shared vision.

As we hugged goodbye, with sandy feet and tired smiles, one thing was clear: this year, we’re not just a team. We’re a synergized force, and we’re just getting started.

Penned By:

Rtr. Yasiru Vithana

Co Editor 25-26