Dilmah Purpose Newsletter - 2021 - April

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Purpose #TeaInspired #CupofKindness

- Issue 4

Our business was founded by Merrill J. Fernando, on the philosophy that business is a matter of human service. We share the stories below of how businesses can fulfil their social and environmental commitment, and hope they inspire you, as they do us. Welcome to the fourth issue of ‘Purpose’, presenting the fulfilment of our purpose beyond profit.

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The Night Market - A Street Food & Music Fiesta with a Cause The Night Market at MJF Centre Moratuwa, a street food & music fiesta, brought together people from all walks of life to experience a fusion of flavours, and celebrate women in small business.

Organised by Dilmah’s MJF Foundation and Dilmah Conservation, this served as a marketplace for new and first time women entrepreneurs, artisans including people with disabilities, and was used to connect with locals in a supportive and welcoming setting.

Adding to the ambiance of the night, 47 stalls sold food, gifts, and clothing with action stations, and a movie screening for children.

All these & more at the next Night Market

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A Virtual World Down Syndrome Day The MJF Foundation supports children and youth with disabilities with programmes and therapeutic services and advocates on behalf of others with disabilities who may not have a voice.

More than 500 participants joined our special puppet hosts ‘Sandun & Ollie’ for a show that sparked a conversation on Down Syndrome.

Through an interactive method of delivery, experts and specialists helped create awareness & understanding for a primarily young audience and caregivers on the perceptions & misconceptions of Down Syndrome and the people who live with it.

Subscribe to disABILITY & Learn More

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Recognising Women for their Worth & the Impact of Equality #ChooseToChallenge MJF Centres across Sri Lanka celebrated International Women’s Day by rewarding women who continue to challenge for change; for themselves and for those around them. The Women’s Development Programme of MJF Centre Moratuwa had a special cookery programme at the Cape Weligama preschool and MJF Centre. A

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socially distanced celebration was also held at MJF Centre in the West, bringing together women from the surrounding communities for a beautiful day filled with yoga, music and drama, followed by an Eye Camp donating more than 100 spectacles. In Kalkudah, the MJF Centre conducted an interactive programme for 25 couples. Joining the celebrations at Dilmah head office, the MJFCF team launched a purple safety pin campaign to appreciate the Women’s contribution at work and in our lives.

Read more on the Women’s Development Programme

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‘Hal’ Tree Saplings for the Nature Corridor The Dilmah Nature Corridor in Endana, Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka is an ongoing project that will encourage the free movement of flora and fauna between the Iharakanda and Walangkanda forest reserves neighbouring the Sinharaja Rainforest

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World Heritage Site. Planting endemic trees is integral to the sustainability of the Nature Corridor initiative to regain ecological connectivity of fragmented forests in the areas around Sinharaja.

The Endana plant nursery supplies the nature corridor with endemic forest tree saplings. In February, Hal (Vateria copallifera) seedlings were prepared for nursery planting. Hal trees grow up to 40 meters and are endemic to Sri Lanka making them ideal for the nature corridor. The saplings will be planted permanently in the corridor once they reach a suitable stage.

Read more about the Endane Nature Corridor

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Workshops at Dilmah Conservation’s Sustainable Agricultural Research Centre Dilmah Conservation’s Sustainable Agricultural Research Centre (DCSARC) is a model education complex found within the Merrill J. Fernando

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Centre for Sustainable and Dignified Empowerment in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. The Centre encourages organic agricultural practices among visitors through research and awarenessbuilding and practical sessions.

Although the Centre could not open its workshops to the public due to the pandemic, Dilmah Conservation made this an opportunity to spread education and awareness about organic gardening and nutrition to several members belonging to different initiatives under the MJF Foundation.

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Dilmah Wins Sri Lanka’s Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2021 Dilmah was awarded the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2021 – a top honour in Sri Lanka’s corporate world. Annually organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, entries are judged on complex criteria

involving social, environmental and economic value, compliance, resilience, stakeholder management and crisis response. Submissions are evaluated by a panel of local experts and thought leaders, as well as representatives from

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international non-profit organisations such as UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and IFC (International Finance Corporation). Apart from the coveted top award, Dilmah won category awards for Customer Relations, Environment Beyond the Business and was recognised as one of the Top 10 Corporate Citizens of Sri Lanka. Dilmah stands out in its achievement as a family-owned business with a singular focus on tea among conglomerates and finance houses that form the top 10.

Read More Here

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