Tuk Tuk Driver Makes a Difference
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Have you ever met an honest Tuk Tuk Driver?
We did, and we never let him go.
His name is Ajith and we lucked out on our first day back to Hikkaduwa. We needed to go to the ATM; and when we walked out of our guesthouse Ajith was there. We asked him a price, he quoted a fair one and we were off.
What is so special about this meeting?
We have since gone to two charities with Ajith, had dinner at his house and watched him donate shoes to a school from money that he has raised with his friends from Italy. We talk to him everyday on the telephone. (our iphone that we are so happy that we brought)
Ajith, Vera and Sergio
Ajith has become our friend.
We have met his wife and children and it will be a sad day when we have to say good-bye.
Ajith came with us to Lotus Hill, another project that we visited run by people from Finland to help disabled children in Sri Lanka. When he saw that we were interested in charities, he invited us to come to Dimboldua School in Kuleegoda Village. It is a small school on the jungle side of the tracks in Ambalagoda Township. He was bringing shoes to the students.
For weeks he had this in the works. He had gone to the school to take their measurements and then drove 20 km to Galle to have the shoes made. He had made several trips on his own dime and the day had come that children were getting their shoes.
This school is a poor school and many of the students come from large families of up to 10 children. Most of them have never had a shoe on their foot in their life and now, they would have durable handmade shoes to go with their uniforms and give them protection.
Ajith raised the money through his contacts in Italy, Sergio and Vera. A wonderful couple that has been coming to Sri Lanka for years and have taken an active stance in the community.
What is it about this place that makes everyone want to come back? What is it that makes everyone want to help and give?
I will tell you, it is the people. Never in all our years of travel have we met people so genuine and good.
This country deserves peace and prosperity and everyone that comes here just wants to help them get it.
Sergio and Vera raised some funds before coming to Sri Lanka and brought them to Ajith to have shoes custom made for poor students going to a tiny school in the jungle. They were so humble and giving letting Ajith shine when he presented the shoes to the children. Ajith took care of all the logistics, and it was Vera and Sergio’s fundraising a work in Itay that made it all happen.
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Ajith is not only giving shoes to this school but many others as well!
The school is small. 27 students attend grad 5 here and they were all smiles upon our arrival.
Tsunami Touches Everyone
Like so many other places, this school was hit by the Tsunami. Luckily it was Poya Day (full moon holiday) so school was closed, but the story is still devastating.
The water came up to the roof for 1 hour. Two children were playing in the schoolyard and died and one many climbed up on the roof. He died to.
They tell us like they have told the story a thousand times.
The Office
As in life, things go on and in the next breath they hand us a coconut and ask us to see the office.
They laugh at how small it is and show us the desk.
They are happy and grateful.
They are Sri Lankan and we love them.
Our Small Part
Dave and I were merely observers. We hadn’t given money, we hadn’t helped with the shoes, Ajith just invited us because he wanted us to see and we were honoured to be there.
It is Vera and Sergio that deserve the accolades along with Ajith, the teachers and the volunteers at the school. They are doing important and meaningful work.
We can only do one small thing and that is to take their photo and make a print to put up on the school wall. Everyone loves having their photo taken. They love looking at Dave’s screen once he is finished.
We give one to Ajith, Vera and Sergio as well. A memory of the great work that they have done.
Staff, Students, Ajith, Vera, Sergio
If you are going to Sri Lanka, email us and we will give you Ajith’s phone number. We call him for every trip that we need to make and he could use the work. He is a giving man, but also a poor man. He hangs out in his blue tuk tuk at his inlaws house right beside Top Secret guest house and restaurant.
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What a beautiful, amazing story. It never ceases to impress me that some people can be so compassionate and generous….it’s so humbling and inspirational, isn’t it?
.-= Trisha Miller´s last blog ..From Rock Art to Bits and Pixels =-.
This is such an uplifting story. You have certainly had some encounters with unscrupulous guides and drivers over the course of your trip, but connecting with Ajith will trump all of them in terms of memorable experiences. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
.-= Jennifer @ ApproachGuides´s last blog ..Where to Stay and Eat in Segovia, Spain =-.
What a story!! I believe you have helped them already by writing their story and sharing with us. I think this kind of story make the travel so worth it!
What an amazing story; Sri Lanka sounds like such an amazing place – it truly is the people that make a place so compelling and this story has really clinched the deal for me on wanting to travel there and maybe find some opportunities for volunteer and fundraiser work
.-= Shannon OD´s last blog ..A Little Quandary…When do you Donate? =-.
That is such a great story! I’m so glad to hear about how well everything is going for you guys!
.-= Bethany´s last blog ..Published – Yah! =-.
Your writing brings everything to life. We could feel how much the people have touched the both of you. What a great story. Take care Love Mom and Dad
Wow, what an amazing connection to make…I can tell how much you both care about these people you encounter. So great to see people doing such good.
As much as we down the tuk-tuk drivers I’m sure there are more stories like this. You were fortunate to be able to see the other side of the tuk-tuk driver, the one who isn’t steering you to a store and is trying to help out others.
.-= brian | No Debt World Travel´s last blog ..Best Travel News and Deals – March 2, 2010 – Most Traveled Man, Beat Your Travel Slump, Expert Travel Tips, Travel and Get Paid for It, Backpacker Acts of Kindness, Arthur Frommer =-.
If you could print these photos and send them to the kids, they would treasure them for life. This could be the only childhood photo they would own.
Lankan Gal, good thought and we already did. That day we went and had the photos printed off. We gave copies to Ajith, the school and Vera and Sergio. It was our little part. I think it was probably the first class photo they ever had.
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A lovely story, and great photos. Its amazing the amount of difference just one person can make.
Ajith was one amazing guy. I look forward to seeing him again one day.
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please can anyone give me the number if any tuk tuk driver???? send it to my email plz farahgmakarem@gmail.com
Where do you need a tuk tuk driver? Thailand, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka? I know of one in Sri Lanka.