We were glad to welcome and host 40 MBBS undergraduates from General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University (KDU) on Monday, 17th February 2025, at the Sarvodaya Headquarters. This visit aimed to provide the students with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by communities, the available services designed to address these issues, and an opportunity to actively participate in health promotion activities alongside the community.

The session began with an insightful introduction by Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, whose expertise in healthcare provided valuable perspectives on the importance of community-driven initiatives. The Executive Director of Sarvodaya also offered a comprehensive overview of the organization’s philosophy and its commitment to community health and empowerment. The students were then taken on immersive unit visits, allowing them to witness firsthand how Sarvodaya applies its principles of well-being in a community setting.

A highlight of the visit was the session at Vishva Niketan, the International Peace Centre, where the students were introduced to the center’s holistic approach to healing—focused on the interconnectedness of mind, society, and the environment. This multi-dimensional approach to well-being provided the students with a broader understanding of how health is not merely an individual pursuit but a collective responsibility encompassing mental, social, and environmental aspects.

The visit concluded on a highly positive note, with the students expressing deep appreciation for the experience. Many of them requested that similar sessions be organized for university students, as they found the visit to be an enriching and eye-opening experience. The feedback received reflects the success of the visit in enhancing the students’ understanding of community health and the holistic approaches that can be integrated into medical practice.

Overall, the visit served as a valuable platform for fostering greater awareness and collaboration between healthcare professionals and communities, ultimately strengthening the foundation for future health promotion efforts.