Monday 5th January 2026

It was difficult yesterday to do justice in one day's blog to the impact that Tea Leaf has had, and continues to have, on so many people's lives in the Hill Country, or to explain just how crucial their support continues to be. One measure of this might be the enormously high regard that all the Tea Leaf alumnae I have mentioned in this blog already - Daya, Vinothini, Donald, Ladushan, Kawya etc. - continue to have for the impact Tea Leaf had on their lives.

I was back on the chalk face as it were today, as I enjoyed some stunning views whilst having breakfast at Sky Heaven before taking a tuk-tuk to Tea Leaf Centre Nuwara Eliya, just a 20-minute ride away in Nanu Oya. I would have caught the bus, but I had rather a lot of stuff to carry with me today, so Krishan kindly took me on what is such a familiar journey to me now, as I couldn't tell you how many times I have travelled along that road and back.

As soon as I entered the old Edinburgh Tea Factory that houses the Tea Leaf Centre on the top floor, I was immediately reminded why volunteering with Tea Leaf continues to excite me as much today as it did when I first came here in September 2019. Already, on the first day back of the New Year there was a lovely buzz about the place, as I received such a warm welcome from the Principal, Mr. Nagendiran and his team of dedicated staff.

As it was their first day together, Mr. Nagendiran asked me to do a team building exercise with the staff, which included the team of Trainee Teachers. I did a very simple exercise called 'the three questions mingle', which seemed to go down very well with everyone, and I also spent time with Mr. Nagendiran planning ahead for this week's training sessions, before heading back to Nuwara Eliya on the bus, which cost me all of 70 rupees (about 17p) for the 20-minute journey!

I have two lovely photographs of the view from Sky Heaven at breakfast time today, plus one of the Edinburgh Tea Factory, and one of me with Mr. Nagendiran. Sadly, I didn't manage to take any photographs of the team building exercise, as I was so busy facilitating it that I forgot!





Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2026 at 8:45 AM

    I love your photos ❤️ Julie

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2026 at 1:38 AM

    Yes your pics are fascinating, Sheila xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2026 at 12:07 PM

    Your photos are beautiful Keith. Enjoying your blog and can sense the pride and love you have for this organisation and its people. Cheers Jacqui

    ReplyDelete

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