Volunteering in Sri Lanka Sponsored Tea Pick
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- Mark Randall
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- Volunteer Tea Pick
Volunteering in Sri Lanka Sponsored Tea Pick
We all love a nice, warm cuppa, don't we? Even better if we have some cake or a biscuit to go with it. But how much do we really know about the lives of those who pick our tea? Do we even give where our tea comes from a second thought?
I am heading to Sri Lanka to volunteer to teach English to the children of the Tea Plantation workers. While there, I will do a sponsored tea pick to experience what it is like to work on a Tea Plantation alongside those who spend their whole lives picking tea.
I will pick tea alongside professional tea pickers for 4 hours in a bid to understand the hardship and backbreaking work involved in often extreme conditions in order to earn what equates to a few pounds. The more I pick the more I earn.
After picking tea in the hot sun for 4 hours I will then weigh my tea and get told what salary I would have earned (less than a couple of pounds). My wages will be given to my tea picking mentor. It won't be easy but its something I want to attempt. Here's some things that I didn't know until I signed up to volunteer:
I didn't know for example that 80% of students at the charity's Tea Leaf Vision School live off less than $1 a day, or that this area is a hotspot for suicide in a country that already has the 4th highest suicide rate in the world. Nor did I know that 83% of female tea pickers experience regular domestic violence and 80% of the men are alcoholics. This all creates a pretty hopeless picture... but...
Tea Leaf Trust work in the heart of the tea plantations in Sri Lanka, helping young people to gain the skills required to get employment away from the harsh reality of the tea estate industry. The school offers free, full-time diplomas for students between the ages of 18 and 24. In return, and as part of the programme, the students themselves teach Basic English to over 1,800 children a week for free!
Over 80% of graduates find employment or further education/training within a year and those working earn an average of 50% more than their counterparts. On top of this, these students become ethical leaders in their communities, leading real and positive change.
If you can, please support me in my volunteer work by giving what you can... even the cost of a cup of tea will help! All donations are greatly appreciated.
Thank you and here's hoping we can make a small difference to the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.
118%
Mark Randall donated £150
Recent activity
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Rika Scarlett donated £30
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Arthur Vieilledent donated £10
Congratulations for your action ! ;)
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B R donated £100 + £25 Gift Aid
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Anudee Siasakul donated £30
A donation from Thailand.
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Giovanni Pini donated £60 + £15 Gift Aid
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Susanna Geary donated £30
What a lovely experience! Bring us all some tea leaves!
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Khushpreet Gulshan donated £75 + £18.75 Gift Aid
Mark Randall: Thank-you Khush for your very generous doantion and all your encouragement and support. You are amazing!
Tim Pare Tea Leaf TrustHello, I am Tim, and I founded Tea Leaf Trust with my wife, Yas after spending a night in the tea estate area on our honeymoon in 2008. The generosity of people on the page is humbling and we are so grateful to Mark and everyone who has supported him. Thanks xAfternoon Tea donated £55
Thanks to everyone who participated in my Afternoon Tea. I hope you enjoyed the scones and cakes. Thanks for your generous donations.
graham angell donated £5 + £1.25 Gift Aid
Mark Randall: Thank-you Graham! Cheers for your support!
Lauri Husa donated £20 + £5 Gift Aid
Mark Randall: Thank-you Lauri. I really appreciate your support. Thanks for everything!
Anonymous User donated £25 + £6.25 Gift Aid
All the best Mark, such an amazing cause!
Mark Randall: Thankyou! Very much appreciated.
jim hoyle donated £10 + £2.50 Gift Aid
best of luck doing this jim hoyle
Mark Randall: Cheers Jim.
Elizabeth Houghton donated £5 + £1.25 Gift Aid
Good luck Mark! What an exciting and challenging thing to do. I wish you all the best. Liz :)
Emma Nagorski donated £5 + £1.25 Gift Aid
Good luck, what amazing work you are doing :)
Michael NASH donated £50 + £12.50 Gift Aid
Best wishes for a safe and rewarding venture
Mark Randall: Thankyou Michael. Thank so much for your kind and generous contribution.
Jenny Birch donated £25 + £6.25 Gift Aid
Good for you Mark what an experience. Vaasanaava !!
Mark Randall: Thanks Jenny! Thanks for your support!Looking forward to seeing your photos.
Jacky Clarke donated £30 + £7.50 Gift Aid
How great of you to get involved Mark
Mark Randall: Thanks for your support Jacky! Much appreciated.
Africa Calzon donated £20 + £5 Gift Aid
Amazing project!! Wish you all the best and GOOD LUCK!!. aFRICA
Mark Randall: Thankyou very much Africa.
Keith Waye donated £50 + £12.50 Gift Aid
More than happy to donate towards this very worthwhile project Mark.
Mark Randall: Thanks Keith.Very much appreciated. Thanks for your generous contribution.
kevin Dimmock donated £60 + £15 Gift Aid
Mark Randall: Thanks Kevin.Your support is very much appreciated. Thanks for your generous contribution.
Lynn Lynn donated £50 + £12.50 Gift Aid
Polish up your cricket skills - the kids love it. You’ll be working hard so remember to play a little to!
Mark Randall: Thanks Lynn. Thanks for the Cricket heads up.
Stuart Cullen donated £30 + £7.50 Gift Aid
Mark Randall: Thanks Stuart. Thanks for your support.
Lei Song donated £10 + £2.50 Gift Aid
Good luck for your kind work!
Mark Randall: Thanks Lei. Very kind of you and much appreciated.