There are a number of ways that the Tea Leaf Trust will sustain the projects that it starts in Sri Lanka:

  • Sri Lankan employees

The Tea Leaf Trust was set up specifically to help the most impoverished groups of people living on the island, to give them the skills to help improve their situation. We want these groups of people, once equipped with the relevant skills, to help manage and run Tea Leaf Trust projects. Those who we are trying to help often know exactly what is needed to move them from deprivation and dependence to a position of empowered independence. It is only right that Sri Lankan nationals run projects to help their fellow Sri Lankans.

  • Applications to Trusts and Foundations

There are a large number of trusts and foundations that support long-term educational projects seeking to change the situation of the world's poorest people. We want to secure funding from these grant-giving bodies whilst we establish our project self-sustaining schemes, which should then enable our Tea Leaf Trust projects to run independently.


  • Working with locally-based NGOs

There are a number of local NGOs that provide support and facilities for projects aiming to provide education for the poorest communities in Sri Lanka. The Tea Leaf Trust is in contact with two: Beacon Hill Academy and World Vision. Our 'Who We Work With' page provides more information about these organisations and what they will provide.

  • Charging for a course book for community English lessons

As a compulsory part of the free, one-year Professional Development Training Course, all students will teach a basic English programme to up to 20 primary school aged children, within their communities, once a week (Maskeliya Community English Programme). Children will have to purchase a course book for the programme. All money raised as a result of this course, will go towards the running costs education projects in Maskeliya.


  • Business links

We are fostering links with the Sri Lankan business community to support our projects. Our supporters in Janashakti Insurance, one of the biggest insurance providers in Sri Lanka.

The Tea Leaf Trust is linked with Sri Lankan Driver Tours (www.srilankandrivertours.com), a Sri Lankan tour company that provides ethical driving tours around the island. Once the drivers have been paid a fair wage, 10% of the profits come directly to the charity. Please see the links page for further information about this ethical family-run Sri Lankan tour company.