Descent from Medakallie village

Left Medakallie village for our 2 hour descent to a bus stop where we got picked up and taken to the nearest town. The wiggly path we trekked down, the villagers’ main highway, is just a narrow stoney footpath – a tuk tuk or moped could not travel along it. It takes someone from the village about an hour to reach a shack where they can barter for some essentials such as salt and soap. Some local people in the closest proper town are supporting the Medakallie villagers to gain local government funding. This is to widen the existing track so bikes can get into the village to courier essential supplies.

Our lodge

Arrived at our rustic lodge and was served a tasty Sri Lankan supper brefore crashing for the night. Woke up to the sun streaming in through the shutters shortly followed by a breakfast of rice, coconut sambol, bitter gourd and beans on a kanda leaf (Macaranga peltata).

Rathna Ella (Gems waterfall)

Rathna Ella (which means gems waterfall) was the morning’s destination point. We trekked to the magnificent falls in the morning and swam and slid in the whirlpools and still waters.

We passed local farmers using buffalo-pulling rakes to prepare the paddies before sewing the rice. In the more industrial areas of Sri Lanka this task is performed by modern machinery but in many areas the machinery cannot be brought to the mountainous areas.

Funding update

94% of our £20,000 target has now been achieved. Trying now to meet the target before we return to the UK next month. All the funds raised are going to support women living in a refuge in Kandy and specifically to fund livelihood training programmes to give the women vocational skills so they can make their own living. Funds are also being used to set up women’s groups in rural villages to help bring about positive change in these communities. I’ve posted many blogs previously where you can see how the funds are spent.

If you missed the last blog then see below.

Next up: Wasgamuwa National Park for an elephant safari and Dambana Village to meet the indigenous people.

Further sponsorship – if you’d like to help me to help those in need in Sri Lanka at this difficult time, whilst being assured every penny will go to those who need it, then please donate by clicking on this link. Don’t forget that if you’re a tax payer to declare gift aid when doing so which will increase your donation by 25% at no cost to you. Alternatively, if you know of anyone or any organisation who may have an interest in this cause please share this blog link with them.