Every grandmother knows that the best comfort in times of trouble, grief or stress is a good cup of tea. Many might be frustrated with this idea that a cup of tea can make all the difference, but here is a story of one woman’s belief that tea really can make the world a better place.

It is with great pleasure and immense gratitude that we introduce a company whose roots are firmly embedded in the culture and history of Sri Lanka while at the same time being committed to the future wellbeing of the country’s rural communities.

The Foundation of Goodness’s doors are always open, to welcome visitors, volunteers, those who wish to experience a bit of village life, give something back to rural communities or see for themselves the changes that have happened thanks to the waves of compassion that flowed into Sri Lanka after the tsunami in 2004.

One such group of visitors was an elite group of travellers led by TCS Expeditions, from the US. Through a series of coincidences, the group came to Sri Lanka, and were given the option of visiting the Foundation of Goodness.

While many of the group decided to take a river tour instead, a few wished to come and see the village. Led by entrepreneur and humanitarian adventurer Mary Wakefield, the group was small but attentive. As Kushil gave the tour of the MCC Centre of Excellence, Sports Academy and Village Heartbeat project, the group expressed their amazement and enthusiasm for the work that has been achieved since the waves struck just over four years ago. Visiting the 30 sectors and hearing of the 20,000 people from more than 25 villages in the region was a really moving experience for the group, who wished that such facilities could be set up in more rural communities for others to also benefit.

It was during her tour of Sri Lanka, and her visit to the Foundation of Goodness, that Mary Wakefield was inspired to set up her business Is2tea, (which is a play on the word 'isthuthi' which means Thank You in Sinhala) as an exclusive distributor of pure Sri Lankan tea from the Handunugoda Tea Estate- including the virgin white tea that is careful picked, processed and served untouched by hand.

She has pledged to donate 10% of her profits to the Foundation of Goodness, as the fruition of her dream to bring together travel with service to children in a bid to make the world a better place, especially through the power of a good cup of tea.

For more information and to purchase these special teas, please visit www.is2tea.com and support the Foundation of Goodness while sharing a nice cuppa with friends.

Kushil comments that “this is an absolutely terrific story. Mary told me of her plans when she was in Sri Lanka, and to see her put them into action is really wonderful. Her gesture of contributing 10% to the Foundation of Goodness is praiseworthy and testimony to the fact that we can all make a difference through kindness, generosity and care for others, in whatever way we are able to, and using whichever skills we have been blessed with. I wish Mary every success and look forward to hearing great things from is2tea as her business grows.”

There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot
be much diminished by a nice cup of tea. 
~Bernard-Paul Heroux

2009.11.16