PPP Liaison Officer
Montse Pejuan
visits Kelliewatte
In July, our Producer Partnership Programme (PPP) Liaison Officer Montse Pejuan (pictured above right with A.M.N.K. Athapaththu) visited our tea partners at Kelliewatte, Sri Lanka. The purpose of the trip was to strengthen Cafédirect's relationship with the smallholder tea farmers and the Kelliewatte Tea Factory.
In Montse's words, "I was struck by the hospitality and welcome I received. I was offered tea at every house I visited and meeting the smallholders was a truly uplifting experience. Despite challenges like a lack of working capital and volatile tea prices, they are diligent and business-minded farmers. The work we do at Cafédirect is met equally by the effort put in by our partners."
Montse saw up close the services and facilities provided to workers through Cafédirect premiums. Premium funds have provided electricity workers' houses, a large project involving the construction of a transformer and overhead wires. Premiums have also been used to provide gas cookers and cylinders to workers, as well as contributing to social events, such as a sports carnival for children.
One simple initiative has been purchasing and distributing flasks for estate workers. It’s a simple initiative, but one that has been extremely successful and popular at the Kelliewatte Tea Factory. Previously, workers were forced to drink from streams near to where they were working, many of which did not provide a pure water source. Since these flasks have been provided, health has improved amongst the workers.
GK Wimalarathna
 |
Tea Grower
“We would like to get registered and receive Fairtrade premiums, as there is a need to ensure a safe water source and repair the community hall.”