The MJF Foundation
Merrill intended Dilmah to be a company with a conscience, and he always seemed to find a truly heartwarming and kind way to lend support to others while also telling people how buying and drinking Dilmah tea would benefit the people of Sri Lanka. Merrill’s philosophy was to give back, to serve a higher purpose, and to help those less fortunate. In 2002, he inaugurated the MJF Charitable Foundation, funded by the profits earned from Dilmah’s growing success, with the primary aim of “alleviating poverty, helping the underprivileged, the sick, and the disabled.” Merrill was inspired by his “conviction that people—our employees and customers worldwide— have assisted the growth of our family business, and in turn, it is our duty to return these earnings to those communities that support us.” As the work of the foundation grew, staff working for Dilmah and other MJF companies were inspired by the Fernando family’s willingness to give back, so they too contributed their time and talents to the various projects. The pleasure of giving and helping others has brought to the company a great sense of unity, loyalty, and commitment.
After the 2004 Tsunami
One of the foundation’s earliest programmes illustrates very clearly how MJF projects can change lives and help build a better future for those involved. After the 2004 tsunami hit the southern coasts of Sri Lanka, Merrill, Malik, and Dilhan organised an immediate relief programme, providing short-term help while also planning a longer-term rehabilitation program. They organised for the local fishermen’s boats to be repaired or rebuilt and for fishing nets and outboard motors to be repaired or replaced. They donated more than 200 replacement bicycles so the fisher- men could cycle to and from work, and they constructed storage facilities to keep outboard motors, nets, and bicycles safe when not in use. Merrill donated vast sums of money, and as with so many MJF projects, while helping the immediate relief programme, he uncovered other problems that also needed to be addressed.
The Fernando family became aware that the fishermen had been vulnerable to the exploitative behaviour of the middlemen who came to the beach each day to buy fish. These buyers would arrive just before the fish began to lose their freshness and paid low prices. What could the fishermen do? They needed to sell their fish, so they had to take whatever price they were offered. The MJF Foundation came up with a solution: they built ice factories so the fishermen could keep their fish fresh from the moment they were hauled up from the sea to the moment they were sold. They also introduced the fishermen to food and beverage managers in the local beach hotels so they could sell their catch directly to them. MJF also provided refrigerated vehicles to transport the fish, and offered training in marketing skills and financial management. Thanks to Merrill and his team, a win-win situation was achieved for everyone (except the middlemen, of course).
The Work of the MJF Foundation
Through the years, the foundation has worked tirelessly and with a deep sense of commitment to Merrill’s dream. Merrill made Dilmah Tea famous around the world, and with the profits, showed how kindness and the sharing of wealth can change the world for the better. The list of achievements is extraordinary. The foundation runs more than 100 projects every year and touches the lives of more than 60,000 people in the tea industry and the wider community. The Fernando family recognises they cannot solve all of Sri Lanka’s problems and always considers carefully the best way to offer support. Every project is carefully researched, assessed, managed, and monitored so that it makes a real difference in the longer term, bringing sustainable results that offer a brighter, better future. The foundation remains involved in every project over a period of up to four years to make sure it is running as planned and is helping to create social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
The achievements of the MJF Foundation in the past decade have been truly remarkable and are a wonderful testament to Merrill Fernando. Since 2010—and this is by no means the full list of programmes and projects— Dilmah has invested $84,118,510 in education, livelihoods, people with disabilities, less fortunate women, children, and young people. The Small Entrepreneur Programme has touched the lives of more than 2,500 people in recent years and has been internationally acclaimed as one of the most effective ways of focusing on and developing each potential entrepreneur’s particular talents.
Merrill Fernando was a truly wise man and an amazing human being. The business model he established and maintained throughout his long and active life should be held up as a shining example to teach all of us how best to live our lives with kindness, generosity, and care for each other and for our planet. Merrill highlighted the power of tea to do good in the world when he said, “The simple act of pouring a cup of tea is, in itself, an icebreaker, providing pleasurable anticipation of the goodness that is to follow. I have dedicated 63 years of my life towards providing that cup, not only to solve problems but to add sunshine to our day with every sip of Dilmah.”
Contributing Editor Jane Pettigrew, an international tea expert who has written many books on the subject, including her most recent, Jane Pettigrew’s World of Tea, is a recipient of the British Empire Medal. A former tearoom owner, she is a much-sought-after consultant to tea businesses and hotels, a conference speaker, and an award-winning tea educator who is co-founder and director of studies of the UK Tea Academy. Although her travels have taken her around the globe, she resides in London.
