09.12.2009

The first phase of the MJF Centre, a US$20 million development that will care for abused women, differently abled and Down Syndrome Children, marginalized children from urban slums in the area was inaugurated by Merrill J. Fernando, Dilmah Founder and Settlor of the MJF Charitable Foundation.

The MJF Foundation embarked on its most ambitious project to date in April, 2009 with the purchase of a factory complex in Moratuwa, a large and heavily populated seaside town close to Sri Lanka’s capital city, Colombo. In fulfillment of a pledge Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando made when starting out in business in the 1950s, the intention behind the purchase of the prime property was not commercial development but charity. Merrill J. Fernando’s plan was to establish a Centre for Women and Children. The pledge he made as a young man in the 1950s was to share the success of his Dilmah Tea with those less privileged by making his business a matter of human service.

The MJF Centre will house four charitable projects: the first, a Centre for Women which will be established in partnership with the Diri Piyasa Trust Fund to offer a much needed residential care facility for abused women. The Centre will provide free legal, medical, law enforcement and counseling services to women and their families who are victims of violence. It will provide for their rehabilitation and also perform a wider role in creating awareness amongst families and communities on the extent of violence and its impact on women and their families.

At the Centre, Diri Piyasa will undertake advocacy on violence against women at all levels, train counsellors, provide accommodation, meals, rehabilitation and vocational training facilities, meditation etc., to destitute women subjected to violence.
Accepting the keys to the Centre for Women, Diri Piyasa Trustee Kshanika Weeratunga commented; “At a time when human dignity and life have become disposable commodities, and that the person, the wealth and the power have become the guiding light of society, we salute the MJF Foundation and specially Mr. Merrill J. Fernando for incorporating into his business the concept of spirituality which is taught to us in all religions where we all strive to bring joy where there is sadness, hope for despair and we realize that it is in giving that we receive. My deepest gratitude to Mr. Merrill Fernando again for the patience and understanding from the very first day which he showed me when I spoke to him about this project and to all the staff of Dilmah”

Work has now begun on the second and third stages; two Centres for differently abled children, including Down Syndrome and physically disabled children. Once complete over 100 children will enjoy specialized therapy, care and education at the Centres for Children. The fourth element is the MJF Kids; a replica of the highly successful MJF Kids programme that already assist over 120 children from deprived neighbourhoods in the suburbs of Colombo. The Moratuwa MJF Kids programme will focus on rehabilitation of vulnerable street children by assisting them to excel in their education and in nurturing creativity.

Merrill J. Fernando established the foundation that bears his initials to fulfill the pledge he made in the 1950s to share the benefits of his business with the poor in his country. Integral to his business model was the principle of making business a matter of human service. Dilmah Tea and its associate companies contribute a minimum of 10% of their profits to supplement the contribution that Merrill and his sons make to the MJF Foundation.

The MJF Foundation designs and implements over 100 different projects each year with the objective of empowering marginalized and underprivileged people in the community in a sustainable and dignified manner. The Foundation’s Small Entrepreneur Programme has been hailed as a model for practical and respectful assistance to the poorest. Other areas in which the Foundation is active include education, nutrition and healthcare, care for the elderly, rehabilitation of tsunami affected communities, empowerment of the differently abled and emergency assistance to marginalized communities.