Born With Broken Hearts. Saved by Strangers.

Tuesday, 15 July 2025 16:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Colombo West Rotary Club’s “Save A Kid’s Life” project invites donors to save more lives

Rotary officials with a former child beneficiary of the Save A Kid’s Life project and her family at the Save A Kid’s Life Celebration held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

For children born with congenital heart defects (CHD), time is not a guarantee. In many poor families, it is a race against death; one they cannot afford to run. But through the Rotary Club of Colombo West’s landmark project, Save A Kid’s Life (SAKL), more than 140 Sri Lankan children have received life-saving heart surgery, completely free of charge.

“We are not just healing hearts. We are giving futures back to families,” says Rtn. Sebastian Karunakaran, SAKL Chairman and Past District Governor. “Every child we save reminds us that compassion, when well-directed, becomes powerful medicine.”

Since complex CHD surgeries are unavailable locally, children are flown to India, where trusted hospitals like Amrita Hospital in Kochi perform complex operations. The total cost of each case is approximately USD 3,000. But for the family, it is completely free.

The True Cost of Delay is a Child’s Life

“I’ve met mothers whose children were fading before their eyes,” shares Rtn. K.P. Nagaraja, President of the Rotary Club of Colombo West. “Then they find SAKL, and for the first time, they see hope. Donors make that hope real. We urgently need more people to come forward.”

SAKL not only funds surgery. It pays for airfare, visas, hospital stay, accommodation, and meals for both the child and a parent. Each case is handled with dignity, care, and meticulous attention to healing both body and spirit.

More Than Surgery. A Movement for Change.

“We are not here for sympathy. We are here for impact,” emphasizes Rtn. Yukthi Gunasekera, Team Lead of SAKL. “One donor. One decision. One child who lives. We need more changemakers to stand with us.”

SAKL also funds medical training and supports infrastructure development to build Sri Lanka’s capacity for complex CHD treatment. The long-term goal: ensure no child ever has to leave the country for a chance at life.

How You Can Help

USD 3,000 = 1 Child’s Life Saved.

Your donation gives a child a second chance at life. To help:

Call or WhatsApp: +94 77 768 6960.

Email: [email protected]

Visit: www.saveakidslife.org

About Save A Kid’s Life (SAKL)

Launched in 2018, SAKL is the Rotary Club of Colombo West’s flagship community service initiative. It has funded over 140 heart surgeries for children from low-income families and is now expanding its impact through doctor and nurse training, and local capacity building.

About RCCW

Chartered in 1961, the Rotary Club of Colombo West (RCCW) is one of the largest clubs in Rotary District 3220. RCCW has a legacy of community service spanning health, education, leadership, and innovation. SAKL is its beating heart.

Media Contact:

Mr. Yukthi K. Gunasekera

Team Lead

Save A Kid’s Life (SAKL)

Mobile/WhatsApp: 077 999 2442

Email: [email protected]

Spokesmen at the SAKL Celebration Event

At the event, journalists are kindly requested to talk to the following SAKL representatives to obtain more information about this project:

Mr. Sebastian Karunakaran, SAKL Project Chairman

Mr. Yukthi K. Gunasekera, SAKL Team Lead.

Rotary officials at the Save A Kid’s Life Celebration held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute with some of the children who have undergone life-saving heart surgery

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