Tea Kulture Partners with Tea Leaf Trust
Sri Lanka boasts a remarkable tea heritage. Tea Kulture takes pride in presenting a selection of top-quality teas sourced from the Ceylon Artisanal Tea Association.
In the lush tea plantations of Sri Lanka, education is a luxury that many children cannot afford. Limited by financial constraints, these young individuals are deprived of the basic right to quality schooling. However, there is hope on the horizon—Tea Leaf Trust, a renowned NGO in Sri Lanka, is dedicated to transforming the lives of these marginalized youth by providing them access to educational opportunities.
Committed to this cause, Tea Kulture has joined hands with Tea Leaf Trust to support multiple students and pave the way for a brighter future. This blog post explores the situation in Sri Lanka and the importance of Tea Leaf Trust.
Poverty on Tea Estates
Tea Leaf Trust is a charitable organization that runs free, high-quality education programs focused on professional, personal, and leadership development. Their mission is to empower youth alumni from tea estates to break the cycle of extreme poverty and drive positive change within their communities.
Historically, the Indian Tamils of these tea estates have been deliberately kept uneducated and dependent, resulting in dire circumstances. Shockingly, statistics reveal that 83% of tea estate women experience domestic violence, 85% of male tea estate workers struggle with alcoholism, and youth suicide rates are disproportionately high.
The beginning of Tea Leaf Trust
The journey of Tea Leaf Trust began when Yasmene Shah and Tim Pare, during their honeymoon in 2007, witnessed the harsh conditions in which Indian Tamil women worked, the poverty plaguing their community, and the hardships they faced. Deeply moved by the experience, Yasmene and Tim decided to dedicate their lives to Sri Lanka and make a tangible difference.
Fourteen years later, Tea Leaf Trust has made a remarkable impact, providing education to 39,182 youth. Over 80% of these young individuals have successfully transitioned into employment, further education, and training. Along the way, these empowered youth have, in turn, supported an astonishing 349,397 members of their communities.
Dreaming of a better future
Tea Leaf Trust’s education programs extend beyond traditional academic learning. They strive to equip the younger generation with the necessary tools and skills for a better future. By addressing personal and professional growth, the organization builds confidence and cultivates valuable abilities among the students. Their ultimate objective is to break the cycle of poverty that has plagued these tea estates for generations.
Determination of the students
What sets the students at Tea Leaf Trust apart is their exceptional determination and unwavering perseverance. Let us take the example of a student aspiring to become a nurse. Hailing from a family with limited means, the odds seemed stacked against her. However, she was determined not to let her circumstances deter her. Every day, she walked thirty minutes to reach the Tea Leaf Trust education center, resolute in her mission to improve her own life and that of her family.
She is not alone—other students share her ambition, dreaming of becoming lawyers, united by their desire to make a positive impact in society. Despite varying backgrounds, they all share a common aspiration: equal educational opportunities. Many of them come from families with limited financial resources, some shouldering the responsibility of caring for their families due to illness or injury. Others face challenges in traveling to the Tea Leaf Trust center. Yet, despite these obstacles, they persevere. The determination of these young individuals serves as a true inspiration to others growing up in the tea estates.
Tea Kulture’s impact
Tea Kulture is proud to be a part of this transformative mission. Through our collaboration with Tea Leaf Trust, we strive to help these students realize their dreams by providing access to high-quality, tuition-free educational programs. We firmly believe in the power of education. By fostering personal and professional development, combined with leadership skills, hope for a better future is instilled within the entire community.
With our contribution, we aim to make a significant difference in the lives of these deserving individuals. We encourage you to join us on this remarkable journey, supporting Tea Leaf Trust’s mission to create a positive impact on the lives of youth in the tea estates of Sri Lanka. With collective efforts, a lasting impact can be made on future generations. Every child deserves the chance to dream, learn, and succeed.
