July-August 2023

Dear Friends and Family,
 
For those loyal enough to have skimmed a few of these monthly updates, you may remember reference to our 'other' project. This referred to our plans to establish a rural empowerment centre in our local village in partnership with the well-established and highly respected local charity, Foundation of Goodness. But it's probably worth sharing the conversation in June 2022 that spawned the idea:
 
Richard: 'So that was good timing. We've completed our tropical boutique hotel after four years of toil and Sri Lanka is now in economic and political meltdown and most of the western world have issued travel advisories'.
'And we have just resigned from our wonderful jobs at Marlborough so not only do we have no income, but without guests, we don't actually have anything to do when we get there.'
Charlie: 'Umm... so what are we going to do in Sri Lanka?'  
Richard: 'Umm......... I don't know'.
 
Whilst Sri Lanka has swiftly emerged from its troubles and life at the Lodge is at full-tilt, the seed had been planted and from this has grown ‘Gamata Atak’.

Girls' Cricket Academy
In advance of the opening of Gamata Atak, the Tekanda Foundation opened a Girls’ Cricket Academy in Kathaluwa that now provides over 60 girls aged 7-16 from rural areas across the region an opportunity to play cricket on a regular basis. It is an enduring delight to see these girls arrive on foot, on the back of mopeds, hanging out of packed tuk tuks and on local buses in order to have the opportunity to access the game. 

Come and join the fun
Many of our Tekanda Lodge guests have expressed a wish to help out at the empowerment centre or cricket academy as part of their holiday which we will be delighted to arrange if at all possible. 
 
We are also offering an opportunity for longer-term stays at the  'volunteer' accomodation in the empowerment centre where, in return for a modest fee per night, volunteers will receive accommodation and board and the opportunity to help for half a day, 5 days a week at the centre or cricket academy. There will be an 'application' process for these spots to ensure we get the right volunteers coming for the right reasons but interested parties should email me for further details. 

Tekanda Lodge 
We continue to get an encouraging number of bookings for the main season where space is now getting somewhat scarce. There is, however, plenty of availability in the early part of the season September-December when we offer some very competitive rates and flights are cheapest. We have had lots of guests at this time of year and I don't think anyone has regretted coming in the quieter part of the season. If you want to investigate a trip over this time, please do contact me. 

Condé Nast Traveller - Best hotels in Sri Lanka 
https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/sri-lanka-hotels 
We confess we were very chuffed to be included in this, but also a little intimidated! However, we do believe that Tekanda has something a little bit special, which is beautifully articulated in this piece. 

As always, Charlie and I are always available to discuss potential holidays (family or groups) or indeed volunteer opportunities and stays at Gamata Atak.  

Best wishes,

Richard and Charlie