From hardship to hope: 1,500 lives transformed in Kalkudah

The MJF Foundation's People's Market in Valaichchenai  

The beneficiaries of the Small Entrepreneur Program  2025 

 Veddah beekeepers receive bee boxes from Dilmah Conservation  The newest batch of IT graduates at MJF Centre Kalkudah 

• Dilmah’s MJF Charitable Foundation is creating pathways to independence through education, entrepreneurship, and empowerment
• Provides empowerment opportunities to 1,500 beneficiaries in Kalkudah 
• Sustainable beekeeping provided in support of the Eastern Veddah community

Over the last 40 years, Dilmah Tea has travelled across 100 countries with the singular vision – to offer pure Ceylon Tea produced by a family business, serving humanity through kindness to people and nature. 

Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando’s vision to ‘Make The World A Better Tea’ echoes in the work of the Merrill J. Fernando (MJF) Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation. Together the two entities are dedicated to being a resource hub for alternate education, low-income communities, persons with disabilities, empowerment programmes, advocating for sustainability within the tea industry and fostering environmental conservation activities. 

Stretched across 23 acres, the MJF Centre – East in the heart of Kalkudah is a stronghold for the surrounding villages. Here, 1,500 beneficiaries receive access to pre-school education, vocational training and IT, culinary training, therapy and education for children with disabilities, and entrepreneurial aid for micro-businesses. This March, the MJF Centre – East was a nexus of buzzing activity for community and conservation efforts. “What we have dedicated ourselves to, at this centre, is empowerment with dignity and that’s the principle of the MJF Foundation,” explained Dilmah Chairman / CEO and Managing Trustee of the MJF Foundation Dilhan C. Fernando.

IT literacy

Statistically, computer literacy in the Eastern Province is the lowest in Sri Lanka with households having the least amount of accessibility to computers. Spearheading IT literacy is one of the Foundation’s longstanding commitments through its Curtiss Institute of Design Technology. Children, youth and adults have the options of learning IT, sitting for NVQ level exams and reading for courses in graphic design. Over the last 10 years, the Curtiss Institute has empowered 6,000+ people with IT skills in Moratuwa, Weligama and more recently, in Kalkudah. This March, 142 children, youth with disabilities and women from the East Centre graduated at a ceremony presided by Dilmah Chairman/CEO and Trustee of the MJF Foundation Dilhan C. Fernando. Of the 142 graduates, 33 awardees completed the NVQ Level 3 examinations. 

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is another avenue through which the Foundation engages and empowers low-income communities. The Small Entrepreneur Programme (SEP) annual grant distribution is an award-winning initiative that supports budding micro-entrepreneurs with grants to further their business goals. This March, 82 micro-entrepreneurs from the East received grants to further their micro businesses. From sewing machines to salon and cooking equipment, each beneficiary is assessed and surveyed to best understand their requirements and granted a fixed sum in the form of equipment. 

Dilmah’s support of micro entrepreneurship doesn’t stop there. Following the loss of employment and economic struggles faced by small businesses during COVID–19, the MJF Charitable Foundation launched ‘The People’s Market’. This initiative offered a platform for small businesses and budding entrepreneurs to launch and retail their products and grow their networks. Following successful markets in Moratuwa and Weligama, The People’s Market was organised in the East last November bringing together 50 vendors and 1,500 marketgoers. This March, 60 vendors from the previous SEP grant awards showcased their products for over 1,000 marketgoers in Valachchenai with the aim of growing their businesses and expanding their visibility. 

For Dilhan C. Fernando and the Foundation, their motivation is based on kindness and creating a sustainable environment for empowerment. “Dignity comes not from dependence or charity. But dignity comes from a sustainable model where we offer a crutch and at a certain point, we give the beneficiary the possibility of throwing it away and walking on their own, then eventually running,” he said. 

Sustainable livelihoods for Veddah community

Dilmah is also taking steps to support the indigenous Veddah community in the East by helping them transition from the unsustainable practice of forest honey harvesting. This initiative, driven by Dilmah Conservation, marks the first time the community has received support to adopt more sustainable practices that will improve their livelihoods. Earlier this year, Dilmah Conservation provided fundamental training in beekeeping, and during the recent visit, six Veddah beekeepers were gifted bee boxes and equipment. Advanced training is planned by Dilmah Conservation in the near future, which will further support the community in refining their practices for long-term success.

Additionally, Dilmah Conservation is collaborating with communities in the East to promote food security, green cover and climate resilience. One such initiative is the creation of a dry-zone arboretum – a mini forest designed to serve as an educational hub for both students and the public. The arboretum aims to raise awareness about forest ecology and showcase a variety of plant species. Currently, around 60 trees are planted within the arboretum. As part of its revitalisation, 45 trees were newly established. Chairman Dilhan C. Fernando, alongside his son Amrit Fernando, symbolically planted a Domba tree and a Kaluwara tree, marking the first step of this exciting project. In the next phase, 80 additional species will be introduced, further enriching the arboretum and its educational potential. 

From empowering individuals through education and entrepreneurship to safeguarding indigenous communities and fostering environmental conservation, Dilmah’s unique commitment to ‘Making The World A Better Tea’ extends far beyond a typical cuppa. It is a reflection of the legacy of kindness and responsibility, proving that a successful business can be a powerful catalyst for positive change, enriching lives and nurturing the planet.