There was a special element incorporated into the guest experience during the Christmas Menu launch at t-Lounge by Dilmah at Horton Place, Sri Lanka. At the end of the evening, invitees were offered the choice of having a mug of Christmas Hot Cocoa – a tea-inspired hot chocolate infused with Dilmah Rose, Marzipan & Mint Tea and garnished with the cutest snowman marshmallow.
However, it was neither the calming aroma, nor the soothing taste of the beverage – or even the cute snowman – that caught everyone’s attention; but the mugs in which the Christmas Hot Cocoa was served. For, these eye-catching pottery mugs had been handmade by the kids who join special programmes by the MJF Charitable Foundation (MJFCF).
If you aren’t already familiar, the MJFCF is a non-profit registered organisation that was initiated by our dear late Founder, Merrill J. Fernando, in keeping with his mission and belief that business is a matter of human service. In fact, at least 15% of Dilmah’s pre-tax profits are directed towards helping those in need and conservation initiatives.
As such, the MJFCF supports children with varying special needs and has established centres such as the Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy & Other Developmental Disorders (CCCPDD) in Rajagiriya, the Rainbow Centre in Moratuwa, which provides education and therapy for children on the autism spectrum, and those living with conditions such as cerebral palsy and down syndrome, as well as sports programmes for children with different disabilities.
The Christmas Pottery Workshop (https://www.instagram.com/p/DB6P_B9hkiD/), held in conjunction with The Thinking Hand School of Pottery, was an early Christmas event held for the MJFCF kids. Here, they were encouraged to observe and develop the skill of handling and moulding clay, as well as to let their creative juices flow into the numerous shapes and figurines that they designed. These were then used to embellish the colourful mugs in which the Christmas Hot Cocoa was served. Don’t forget to look out for these unique mugs during your next visit!
Just like that, the joy that was ignited in the hearts of the MJFCF kids as they worked on and succeeded at their new and exciting project was relayed into the hearts of the invitees at the launch. It was a poignant symbol of the spirit of Christmas coming full circle.
