Sewalanka Foundation Chairman's Message 2004

Every year, at the height of the dry season, thousands of Sri Lankans make the pilgrimage from Jaffna, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa down the eastern coast of the island to the ancient Kataragama temple. Many of the pilgrims make the 60-day journey barefoot, carrying with them only a cooking pot, dry rations, and a water flask. They follow a route that has been traveled for centuries.

This year, for the first time, a group of us from Sewalanka Foundation joined the pilgrimage for the last 120-kilometer stretch through Yala National Park. We started walking each day before dawn, chanting to warn the wild buffaloes and elephants of our arrival, and slept each night under the stars. It was a powerful experience for everyone who participated, and plans are already being made for next year's journey.

Sewalanka has come a long way over the past 12 years, and as I look at the organization today, I am often reminded of the pilgrimage. The path to Kataragama is walked by many generations. We watched the young people hurry ahead with the children, showing them the path. Together they would prepare tea and set up camp for the elderly who followed slowly behind. Years ago, it was these grandmothers and grandfathers who hurried ahead, showing the path to the young.

This is also the story of Sewalanka. Most of our District Directors joined the organization years ago as social mobilizers or village level volunteers. Today, they are leading the way, making decisions, and making us proud. This process is not limited to the organization's field staff. Nearly every Sewalanka family member?drivers, receptionists, accountants, administrators?has someone they are 'bringing up.' Traditions and values are passed along to energetic young leaders who can in turn show the path to the next generation.

The pilgrimage, not only reminded us of the connection between generations, it also reminded us of the connection between all humans. In our group, there were Sinhalese and Tamils, Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists, and we were touched by how we were treated by the other, predominantly Hindu, pilgrims. They shouted greetings, gave advice, and shared their food. Despite our differences, there was a recognition that we were all on the same journey together. This too, is something we have seen develop within Sewalanka over the years. Our district staff speaks different languages, comes from different regions, and practices different religions, but when a problem arises in one district, the others rush to provide support. We are walking along the same path toward a common goal.

The journey to Kataragama also connected us with nature. Walking through the heat of the Yala dry season we were reminded how vulnerable we human beings are and how much we depend on our environment. We sought out trees to shade us from the beating sun, appreciated each sip of water, and felt grateful when we came upon wild woodapple trees. We have taken these memories back with us to our daily work, and we aim to incorporate a greater appreciation of the environment into all of our activities.

Sewalanka has traveled a long distance this past year, and we would like to thank all of the family members and development partners who have traveled with us.

Harsha Kumara Navaratne
Chairman
Sewalanka Foundation