The 2010 Lanka Challenge - A Large Minority Initiative

Make it Count! Our social efforts

As responsible travellers, it is our duty to engage in meaningful tourism - the type which brings positive change to a destination. So throughout the Challenge we have incorporated some social and eco-friendly initiatives that involve and benefit the local community. We will ensure that the Challenge leaves a positive footprint on everyone touched by this event.

Now, we would like to share some of the moments that our participants shared with the real people of Sri Lanka.

Afternoon tea with the Jayatilaka family

We met this captivating family at the planning stage of the event. We were driving back from a failed trip to Lion’s Rock, feeling somewhat down and regretting not having left the hotel earlier, when we noticed a local lady coming out of a house.

Her home, a simple mud hut made out of cow dung and wood, seemed so basic but yet so common (unfortunately). She turned around, looked at us and whilst admiring our colourful three-wheel companion spoiled us with the most beautiful and powerful smile.

Soon after we were invited for tea, and introduced to her family. Dinook (son) Deumini (daughter) Jayatilaka (husband) and of course Asoka, instantly became a part of our lives. Their needs, wants, aspirations and wishes were shared over that cup of tea. We found out that their land was dry because they didn’t have a well and therefore no irrigation. We learned that the biggest challenge when growing crops in that area is wild elephants and we observed that their roof made out of coconut leafs would not endure the forthcoming monsoon season.

We were invited the following morning for breakfast; coconut rotis, sambol and tea. Before leaving their house, we all felt the necessity to help them through the event.

On the 23rd of August, 5 weeks after having met them, we visited the family once again. Our purpose was to tell them that we would be contributing towards a new steel roof for their house.

This time, our participants delivered the message: