This Christmas, we turned the season of giving into a gentle reminder of what truly matters – kindness, to people and to the planet.
Through our 12 Days of Christmas series on Dilmah’s Instagram pages, we shared stories from across Dilmah Conservation and the MJF Charitable Foundation, reflecting the ultimate vision of our Founder: kindness.
From caring for communities, awareness, empowerment and advocacy to protecting ecosystems, here’s a glimpse of the initiatives we celebrated:
On the first day of Christmas,
Our preschoolers from the MJF Foundation Moratuwa Centre became little volunteers- helping collect and send brand-new school essentials to children in the Central Province who lost everything.
Little hands giving hope —preschoolers helping children rebuild after floods.
On the second day of Christmas,
The misty highlands of Sri Lanka are home to the Sri Lankan leopard, who also moves through the Dilmah Queensberry Estate. Together with @leopoconsrilanka, we use research, technology, and community partnerships to better understand these elusive cats, and create safer spaces where people and wildlife can coexist.
Sharing space with leopards — science and coexistence in the highlands
On the third day of Christmas,
“Without a living ocean, we won’t have a living planet.” To make their value visible, we are partnering with Prof. Meththika Vithanage and the Ecosphere Resilience Research Center to measure carbon storage in Sri Lanka’s mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, helping guide protection, policy, and investment for a safer, more resilient future.
Oceans that protect us — making the invisible value of blue carbon visible.
On the fourth day of Christmas,
Our team at Dilmah Sri Lanka spent time at the Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy & other Developmental Disorders (CCCPDD), operated by the MJF Foundation, sharing gifts, laughter, and meaningful moments with over 90 children and youth.
Secret Santas sharing time, laughter, and joy with children at CCCPDD.
On the fifth day of Christmas,
Bats play a vital role in keeping ecosystems balanced, yet they are often misunderstood. At the model tea garden in Queensberry Estate, we combine bat conservation with natural pest control, allowing bats to thrive while reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Caring for wildlife keeps the land healthy and thriving — our model tea garden at Queensberry Estate blends bat conservation with natural pest control.
On the sixth day of Christmas,
Together with the Lasallian Community Education Services Centre, the MJF Foundation hosted a Christmas lunch for over 140 preschoolers in Mutwal to celebrate the end of their preschool journey.
A shared Christmas lunch — celebrating belonging with Lasallian preschoolers.
On the seventh day of Christmas,
At the One Earth Centre, Moratuwa, students from local universities learn through real-world experience, from sustainable beekeeping to environmentally responsible farming. Since 2024, more than 300 students have gained practical knowledge that supports both nature and future livelihoods.
Students learning from nature — protecting pollinators through sustainable beekeeping.
On the eighth day of Christmas,
Partnering with t-Lounge by Dilmah, we hosted our first two-day market in Colombo, supporting over 30 micro-entrepreneurs to rebuild, reconnect, and step into the festive season with hope.
Dreams revived at the People’s Market — empowering small entrepreneurs to rise again.
On the ninth day of Christmas,
Children from underprivileged communities often have few chances to experience nature. Recently, children from the MJF Foundation visited Beddagana Wetland Park, exploring trails, observing wildlife, and discovering the wonders of wetlands for the first time.
Education with purpose — hands-on learning that nurtures people and planet.
On the tenth day of Christmas,
For 8 years, our partners Tokai Co-op and Waltz & Co. (Japan) have supported preschoolers from our tea garden communities. This year, despite landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah, they showed up. Their visit expanded into emergency support for flood-affected families
Friendships that crossed borders — standing with tea garden families in times of crisis.
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
Art is a universal language and a powerful voice for conservation. We recently hosted a special talk by veteran wildlife artist Gamini Ratnavira at Genesis by Dilmah: Centre for a Sustainable Future.
Art speaking for wildlife — creativity inspiring care for endangered species.
On the twelfth day of Christmas,
The Dilmah Cashew Project in Kalkudah, at pilot stage, supports 20 smallholder farmers across 20 acres, providing saplings, land preparation support, and training. By focusing on both farming and local cashew processing led by trained community women, we create jobs, strengthen incomes, and keep value within the community.
Cashew trees and community strength — growing climate-resilient livelihoods together.
These weren’t just Christmas stories. They were 12 small reminders of what we strive to do every day, creating positive impact through kindness, sustainability, and shared responsibility.
Twelve days. One message. Kindness — all year round.
