cc Raising a
storm with a teacup Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company. – Anon most of the world’s teacups and consumer perception of quality tea was built around tea from Ceylon.” This saddened Merrill and he hoped that one day he would have his own plantation from which he would package only pure Ceylon tea and restore the honesty and integrity of the product that he felt had been lost. And it happened, albeit in a small way to start with. In 1962 Merrill and two friends bought a plantation from its British owners who were returning to England to escape the increasing chaos of Ceylon’s politics. There were just 18 pickers on the plantation and right from the start Merrill paid for their children to attend school – their clothes, shoes and books. The life of a tea picker in those days could be a very sorry affair, with appalling wages and abysmal housing for many. From humble beginnings himself and with parents, particularly his mother, who felt a strong responsibility to those less fortunate than themselves, Merrill was very conscious that with privilege comes responsibility. Paying for the education of these particular children was the beginning of his MJF Foundation, which for many years was more or less a private thing he kept largely to himself. However, friends eventually encouraged him to speak out about his philanthropic
café culture
It was merely a young boy’s fancy, that one day tea would no longer be just a commodity but tea plantation workers would be; that the commoditisation of tea that made it merely a blend that met the market price would change and that the hard working plantation workers would be recognised for the valuable commodity they were. It is of great credit to Merrill Fernando, that he has realised that dream.
actions not least to encourage others to follow suit. The purchase of the plantation also meant that Merrill could control the quality of the tea harvested. His desire to supply only pure Ceylon tea was hampered by cost. Pure tea was going to cost more than blended tea and Merrill had to find a market that was prepared to pay for that. He looked first to Australia and then later to New Zealand. “New Zealand only imported pure Ceylon tea prior to commoditisation and although price rather than quality was what I was told the world market demanded, I thought New Zealanders might still appreciate the taste of pure Ceylon tea, which I believed then, and still believe now, is the finest in the world.”
I believe my humble beginnings are my greatest strength. – Merrill Fernando It was a brave step but it turned out to be a great step because the chance
to buy the good tea that had previously filled their cups appealed to this market. Single origin tea, unblended and unmixed – Kiwis fell behind the brand and its guarantees. “I was so pleased to be right in my choice of New Zealand to be an international market and I owe a lot to this country. It was my Kiwi friends who encouraged me to take the brand even further, beyond New Zealand and Australia and eventually to 100 countries around the world.” It was and remains hard labour and Merrill still works 15 hour days, but he also credits his continued success to the hard work of his sons, Dilhan and Malik, and his staff. He now owns several plantations and employs 1400 staff, the children of whom are all educated courtesy of the MJF Foundation. Everyone who buys Dilmah tea, supports these children. And 10% of the gross profit of each of Merrill’s companies goes into the Foundation. “I firmly believe we must share our successes with the poor and needy. It is not an option, it is mandatory. Successful businesses should share some of their success to help make this a better world.” Merrill looks back out at the Waitamata Harbour. “What a beautiful day; how very lucky we are.”
MJF FOUNDATION Late last month, the MJF Foundation, in conjunction with Chef Simon Gault, held a Chari-Tea dinner fundraising event at Gault’s Euro restaurant. The event included an auction and raised over $50,000. The money will be divided between a scholarship for a trainee New Zealand chef to go to Sri Lanka and the development of a MJF Foundation culinary centre in Sri Lanka, expected to open next March. The centre will help train people who are disadvantaged in some way to get a job in the hospitality sector so that they can look after themselves and their families. Simon Gault, the trainee chef and the Real HighTea Challenge winners will visit the centre.
October 2012 |
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