Since my early 20s, volunteering in a distant, exotic, and poverty-stricken place was always on my bucket list. I believed it might help me discover my life’s purpose – or something like that.

However, when I first entertained the idea, I realized it was probably more about escapism, so the timing wasn’t right. Volunteering abroad is a significant commitment; it demands time, focus, financial resources, consideration of family needs, and finding a placement that aligns with your skills. All these factors must come together simultaneously, which is no small feat.

I wanted my volunteer work to be meaningful, not just a way to escape from the monotony or challenges of my life. The opportunity didn’t come until much later – 2013, to be exact, when I was 46 years old and had a 10-year-old son.

During a two-week holiday in Sri Lanka, I arranged a visit to the Women’s Development Centre (WDC) in Kandy through a contact in the UK. This brief visit, sandwiched between sightseeing at the Temple of the Buddha’s Tooth and a stunning train journey from Kandy to Ella, introduced me to Pearl Stephen, the woman who founded WDC nearly 40 years prior.

Although my visit lasted just a couple of hours, I was moved by Pearl and her vision. As we were leaving, she said, “You must come back, and bring Joe too – one day he will do good work here.” It felt like a prophecy, and that was all the encouragement I needed.

Three months later, in July, I returned to WDC as a volunteer. This experience reshaped how I viewed Sri Lanka, distinguishing between merely holidaying and truly engaging with the country.

On this trip, instead of exploring the wonders of the Cultural Triangle, we attended a support meeting at a Kandy Hospital clinic for sex workers. WDC staff were working to help these women escape their circumstances by introducing them to micro-finance projects for self-sufficiency. My son, Joe, had collected school supplies in the UK, which we distributed to nurseries and schools in remote tea plantation villages. I conducted training on report writing and implemented a staff appraisal system, a novel concept for them.

Sadly, less than three weeks into our month-long stay, Pearl suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away. The grief was overwhelming. Over 80 WDC workers and countless others who had been supported by her mourned deeply, their sorrow palpable. The church overflowed with people – a fitting tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to liberating women and children from gender-based violence and poverty. Pearl’s warmth, generosity, and selflessness left an indelible mark on me, inspiring me to return each year to continue her mission.

My trip to Sri Lanka highlighted the profound impact of being in the presence of an inspiring figure like Pearl. Through such encounters, one can discover not only their life’s elusive purpose but also inspire others to find theirs.