In November 2015 six Oxfam supporters set out to ride 300km through the hills of Sri Lanka as part of Inspired Adventures. I had the pleasure to ride alongside them and see first hand the great work Oxfam does around the world.

I have to admit I was very nervous. (I think we all were). We had spent months training and fundraising for this unique field trip. Thanks to the help of our great supporters we have raised over $20,000. My sister and her kids held a fundraiser on my behalf and donated over $400! This ride was as much for them as for myself.

Sri Lanka is breathtakingly beautiful. Around every corner is something remarkable, stunning, adorable or simply serene. The landscape is a colourful tapestry of crystal clear coastlines, wild jungles, wetlands, immaculate tea plantations and bustling towns but everything seemed still and quiet. Everything moves at a different pace. Drivers rarely exceeded 50km/ph and the cattle and dogs lorded over the roads and traffic would flow around them. Except for the notorious Red Buses which weaved through the tightest turns at un-godly speeds.

The ride through the centre of Sri Lanka was rich with ancient history. Our guide, Chandima, was a font of knowledge and his passion for his work made this adventure so enriching. We mostly saw and learnt about Sinhalese culture, religion and influence. We wandered through Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Nuwra Eilya the three great cities of ancient Sri Lanka and marvelled at the grand architecture, Buddhist artwork and the splendour of nature reclaiming the landscape. The further south we moved the more we could see the mark of European occupation. The frumpy buildings and tea plantations were a stark contrast to the organic sprawl of nature. But the real highlight and wonder was when we met a group of inspiring peace makers whom shared their stories of the impact of nearly three decades of conflict and their recovery after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

Jatheen Athara Sahayogitha Sangwardena (JSSK) is a community based organisation run by Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Indigenous community members from across the Polonnaruwa district. They were formed in 1998 and have had a long relationship with Oxfam Australia since 1999. They have multi-faceted approach to their work, with a strong focus on women in leadership roles. The main aim is peace building through education, connection, sharing and collective action as well as economic justice, gender justice and disaster risk reduction and recovery.

The group told us about some of the issues facing their community. They had all been affected by the conflict and many women were left as the heads of their households but with no claim to land or access to a livelihood. JSSK and Oxfam’s programs enable them to attain their rights, connect and collaborate with their community and transform the status quo. Many of the women now have ownership of their land and are involved in different livelihood programs like JSSSK’s women led sustainable Rice Processing Group which aims improve community health by reducing the use of pesticides and promotes planting a variety of rice species.  In addition to this work the committee also supports victims of gender based violence and have introduced counselling services in the local hospitals.

We had the pleasure of meeting Thilaka, a community leader and participant in Oxfam’s cattle rearing program. You know the cards you buy from Oxfam where you “give a goat” or “build a well”, this was one of those programs!  Thilaka told us how participating in the cattle program has not only improved her life but also the health of her community. She sells high quality milk and opened a shop.

No natural or constructed wonder can really compare because there is nothing more awesome than a woman, empowered and peaceful, supporting the rise of her peers into their own strength. Many of these members can’t speak each other’s language but they work side by side and build an inclusive community and a better future together. These kind of programs are made possible because of the generous contribution people make to Oxfam.

It makes a real difference in the lives of individuals and whole communities when people pitch in. Your donation really helps and all the riders and the members of JSSK have endless gratitude to our supporters. Thank you! You’re a life-changer!

Today is the last day for my fundraiser. If you would like to donate please follow this link: https://my.oxfam.org.au/fundraiser/view/3339