Freelancer Development Initiative 2022 – Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa

Freelancer Development Initiative 2022 – Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa

2022 | Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa

Some memories stay with us because of the people we meet, the experiences we share, and the small things we do that may have a bigger impact than we realize.

The Freelancer Development Initiative 2022 was one of those experiences for me.

The program was organized to introduce young people to freelancing, digital skills, and new opportunities in the growing digital economy.

Bringing the Program to Hingurakgoda

In 2022, I had the opportunity to be involved in the Freelancer Development Initiative held at the ITDLH Centre in Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa.

I wanted the participants to hear not only about freelancing in theory, but also about real experiences from people who were already working in the industry.

That's when I invited my good friend Charith Weerasooriya to join the session and share his experience.

His visit to Polonnaruwa wasn't originally planned. There were some time and travel difficulties, but thankfully, he accepted my invitation and made the journey to Hingurakgoda.

That made the event especially memorable for me.

Sharing Real Experiences

During the session, we talked about freelancing, digital work, skills development, and the opportunities available to young people.

Instead of simply presenting theories, we tried to explain things using our real-life experiences, examples, and stories.

I also had the opportunity to assist Charith during the main speech and contribute to the session.

The participants were very interested and engaged throughout the program. They asked questions, shared their thoughts, and wanted to understand how they could start their own journey as freelancers.

There were more than 100 participants at the event, making it a great opportunity to connect with young people from the area.

Why This Experience Was Important to Me

At that time, I was already working in the digital industry and experiencing the world of freelancing myself.

I knew that there were many talented young people outside the major cities who had the ability to succeed online but didn't always have access to the right knowledge or guidance.

That was one of the reasons this program was important to me.

Sometimes, people don't need someone to give them everything.

They simply need someone to show them where to start.

A conversation, a real-life example, or hearing someone's journey can sometimes give another person the confidence to take their first step.

Looking Back

When I look back at the Hingurakgoda session today, I don't see it as just another workshop.

I see it as one of the moments where I was able to give something back to the community by sharing what I had learned through my own journey.

I'm grateful to Charith Weerasooriya for accepting my invitation and making the journey to Polonnaruwa to share his knowledge and experience.

I'm also grateful to everyone who participated and took the time to listen, ask questions, and learn about the opportunities available through freelancing.

Looking back at experiences like this reminds me of how important it is to share knowledge.

If something you have learned can help another person take their first step, it is worth sharing.