Coast to Coast Tuk-Tuk Challenge Sri Lanka, 2014

18 British Airways colleagues joined hands across the Oceans with Jetwing Travels, Sri Lanka Tailormade and Jetwing Hotels to embark on an adventure of exploring “Sri Lanka” in Tuk-Tuks through the rustic and rural villages from coast to coast; starting from Negombo and ending in Pasikudha was a great success altogether. An exciting program was set aside for the participants by the Jetwing team including conservation projects, visiting rural schools in Pasikudha, feeding the poor and workshop held in Polonnaruwa for school children on team building are some of the highlights of the experience. An authentic and inspiring program that touched the lives of both participants and villagers, tuk drivers, children and families in rural villages was a life changing experience in many ways, copious amounts of laughter, the happy tears of a true give away, time and efforts put together was tremendous by both parties.

Sri Lanka has entered the hearts of “Flying Start Tuk-Tuk Challenge team” that has left clear foot prints and memories of 8 days full of joyous give away to the needy, created a new bond and at the end of the program it was not the end, yet another “Beginning” for real time friendships being built across the globe.

The tiny and amazing Island of Sri Lanka has so much to offer in terms of friendship, warmth, gentle and welcoming smiles of its people, the landscape, the history, culture, food, wildlife are of the top priority list for another vacation for everyone to experience, enjoy and fall in love with!!!

The amazing experience in travelling by Tuk-Tuk throughout the journey made the experience of Sri Lanka extraordinary and the involvement of rural villagers in most challenges not only opened many eyes towards the poverty that prevails in the country, but also a better way of spending your money and of cause having the best of fun and joy through sincerity is a highlight of this project.

The “Feed the Poor” challenge was aimed at helping ten needy families around Sigiriya/Dambulla areas by carefully selecting the families and rewarding them with household goods such as rice, dhal, vegetables, cooking utensils, fruits and much more that will feed the family for a month!!! The true colors of happiness, the feeling of “give away” was reflected in many “teary eyes” of British Airways colleagues as the experience truly touched their hearts and souls.

The authentic experience of true Ceylon was given great priority through the “Culinary Challenge” which was at Jetwing Vil Uyana with finest ingredients, spices and chefs lined up to give the British Airways colleagues the knowledge of preparing 10 authentic Sri Lankan dishes including “String Hoppers and Kiri Hodi”, “Dungasu Beef Curry”, “Kottu Roti”, “Green Beans Curry”, “Chicken Curry”, “Pittu and Lunu Miris”, “Fish Curry” are few to be named. The cooking experience was set by the pool overlooking the man made nature reserve ideal for bird watching, honeymoon getaways, quiet and peaceful surroundings and luxury comfort at its best.

A hike up to the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya with a knowledgeable guide will allow you to explore the rich culture and heritage of Sri Lanka and the famous Sigiriya Frescos demonstrates paintings of the brides of King Kashyapa, the mirror wall representing the poems and appreciations of visitors who visited Sigiriya Rock Fortress gives a brief historical value to the site. Also the ancient architecture in building Sigiriya was one of the most important lessons learned of Sri Lanka’s rich culture and architectural know how.

They also did not forget to have fun and learn the Sri Lanka language of addressing another person through a mythical cycle ride through the historic remains of Polonnaruwa and of cause learnt great lessons of history, culture and how over time Sri Lanka has changes into many phases.

Helping the less fortunate children of many schools from Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Pasikudha was the best moments spent in the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. Even though facilities were limited, they did not forget to smile throughout and the good times spent with the British Airways colleagues can be best explained through the tiny smiles that reached all the way to their twinkling eyes.

More than hundreds of cricket bats, thigh pads, leg pads, helmets, cricket balls, jerseys, cricket clothing and cricket gear was given away to talented youngsters throughout the journey and did not forget to treat them with a valuable workshop in Polonnaruwa National Ground in managing teams, developing team spirit and working as a team. The workshop was conducted by “Wild Drift” who made the day for the little ones, learned many lessons and also as a whole left many memories of the less fortunate children of schools in Dambulla and Sigiriya.

The wonderful experience touched our hearts when a donation was made on the school’s best football player, a talented young girl who has also represented Sri Lanka football team which was highly recognized during the workshop.

The outreach program also did not forget to give back mother nature what human consumption of cement has taken away the coral reefs which used to be the home of many aquamarine life in the area of Pasikudha, Batticaloe which was organized by Maalu-Maalu Resort and Spa together with Tokyo Cement, that joined hands with British Airways and Jetwing to complete this worthy cause of planting corals in the east coast.

The success that brought happiness to the dynamic team did not end here, the giveaway continued to two carefully selected schools in Pasikudha, a Tamil School and a Muslim School with less privileged children had the best time together with the guidance and heartfelt donations made by Flying Start, the charity arm of British Airways who conducted many fund raising events in the United Kingdom through tea parties and gatherings at the Heathrow Terminal to fund the experience in the East coast.

The Peace run which was conducted at the school premises in Batticaloe represented and wished for World Peace was followed by donations and presentation of gifts and goodie bags for children, and also donated ₤2500.00 to conduct repairs and construction work at the selected schools in Batticaloe which will be observed and recorded in a timely manner.

The friendships made throughout the program can never be explained in worlds, but the unity and coerciveness of a true team was highlighted towards the end with many tears adding to the story and will surely miss each other and would love to come back to Sri Lanka or visit the United Kingdom to meet them once more.

Article by Milani Wickramaratne

Pictures by Alice Luker and Flipit Media