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Due to a lack of financial resources, many young people from this community have little chance of accessing quality education. Tea Leaf Trust, an NGO in Sri Lanka, works to change the lives of these young people by giving them access to education.
Tea Kulture supported three students on their path towards a better future. This article looks more closely at who the Malaiyaha Tamils are, how Tea Leaf Trust came into being, and why their work matters.
The Malaiyaha Tamils
The ancestors of the Malaiyaha Tamils were brought from southern India to Sri Lanka by British colonial authorities from the early 19th century onwards to work on the tea plantations. That migration continued into the 20th century. Generations later, their descendants still live there.
After Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, most Malaiyaha Tamils lost their citizenship. It was not until 2003 that the last group was finally recognised as full citizens. Despite their centuries-long contribution to the tea industry, they were deliberately kept without education so that they would remain a dependent and cheap source of labour.
Poverty on the tea plantations
The consequences of that exclusion are still visible today. Figures from Tea Leaf Trust show that 83 per cent of women on the tea plantations experience domestic violence, and 85 per cent of male workers struggle with alcohol dependency. The rate of suicide among young people is disproportionately high.
Schools are underfunded and teachers undertrained. Children who want to study repeatedly encounter a system that offers them no way forward.
The beginning of Tea Leaf Trust
That reality moved Yasmene Shah and Tim Pare to act. Tea Leaf Trust was founded after they witnessed the harsh working conditions of Indian Tamil women, the poverty afflicting the communities, and the hardships they faced during their honeymoon in November 2007. Deeply moved by this experience, Yasmene and Tim decided to dedicate their lives to Sri Lanka. In 2008, they founded Tea Leaf Trust and moved to the tea plantations.
The organisation offers free education programmes focused on professional growth, personal development, and leadership skills, to break the cycle of extreme poverty and bring about positive change within the communities.
By 2025, Tea Leaf Trust had reached more than 57,000 young people through its programmes across five centres. More than 80 per cent have gone on to employment or further education. Along the way, these young people have in turn supported and inspired nearly 350,000 members of their communities.
Dreaming of a better future
The education programmes of Tea Leaf Trust go beyond a traditional academic curriculum. They equip the younger generation with the skills to build a better future. By placing great emphasis on personal and professional growth, they raise students' confidence and capabilities.
The determination of the students
What distinguishes Tea Leaf Trust students is their determination and perseverance. One of the students Tea Kulture supported wanted to become a nurse. Coming from a family with limited means, her chances of a good future seemed slim. Every day she walked thirty minutes to reach the Tea Leaf Trust training centre, determined to improve her own life and that of her family.
Many other students share her ambition. Some dream of becoming lawyers, driven by a desire to make a positive impact on society. Despite their different backgrounds, they share the same goals: equal access to education and a better future. Many come from families with limited financial resources. Some carry the responsibility of supporting their families due to illness or injury. But they persevere. The determination of these young people is an inspiration to many other young people on the tea plantations of Sri Lanka.
Tea Kulture's role
Tea Kulture is part of this mission. Through our collaboration with Tea Leaf Trust, we supported three students in pursuing their plans. We believe that education, by encouraging personal and professional development, gives young people the prospect of a better future.
We encourage everyone to support Tea Leaf Trust's mission and create a positive impact on the lives of young people on the tea plantations of Sri Lanka. Through collective effort, we can make a lasting impact on future generations. Every child deserves the chance to learn and succeed.
