One man living his dream in a 500 km trek across Sri Lanka from Dondra to Pedro in a fund raising journey in aid of cancer.
“It’s time to move on. Time to forget the hate, the violence and the divisive nature of this country. It’s time to understand, heal and hope.” - Ruvan Ranatunga
I’ve dreamt about this for a while. A walk of hope. And now the time has come to live that dream.
Hi, I’m Ruvan Ranatunga, and I’ve been nurturing this passion to walk across my country. Having served in the Army for fourteen years and walked in many parts of the country including some of the operational areas of the North and East, it seemed timely to embark on this exciting journey for a different reason. But “The Long Walk of Hope” is not just about living my dream; it’s bigger than that. I believe that to have lived, we have to reach outside ourselves and touch the lives of others in whatever capacity we can. Therefore I want to combine that with my passion to trek – providing a ray of hope for those suffering from cancer.
How? Your pledges along my trek will go directly into funding the CCC House, a 188-bed cancer transit home for outpatients seeking treatment at the National Cancer Institute - Maharagama in the South, and to the Colours of Courage Pediatric Cancer Ward, which is under construction at Thelippalai in the North of Sri Lanka.
My walk of hope is also in a sense my quest for peace. I plan to walk through the many shades of people, races, religions, happiness and poverty that make up this country. To understand them, to take a message across the miles that healing has to come from within – from every one of us. I hope that my small endeavour will make a difference in their lives too. And I hope….
My trek
Where does it begin? My trek begins from the Southern tip of Dondra leading northwards across the island to the Northern tip of the country – Point Pedro. I’m hoping to keep off the highways and the main roads and walk instead through the lesser-known paths, through villages and small towns.
Why? Because I want to meet and understand the people of my country. They are the Sinhalese, the Tamils and the Muslims; the different generations; the Northern and Southern people who have been torn apart by three decades of war.
I haven’t made arrangements for meals or accommodation because I believe that the people I meet will still have the goodness in them and the generosity to share a meal with me. In my experience, there’s never a lack of generosity for a good cause – especially among the poor.
Who will join me through the trek?
Absolutely no one at this point, although many friends have shown interest in accompanying me at certain points.
Joining the Trek? If you want to join the trek for short spells you are most welcome. Just let me know of your plans and locations in advance. Since this is a solo effort I don’t have the resources or funding to arrange accommodation, food or any other support services. This is very much a live-off-your-backpack adventure. It certainly won’t be a trek of comfort! That’s the adventure!
I cannot be responsible for any participant nor will I be able to carry any medication, tentage, and equipment for those who are willing to join me. Please understand that this will be a rough journey and only you will be responsible for yourself but you will not be alone that I can assure you.
THE JOURNEY
Takes off on: 30 May 2013
From: Dondra
Between: the two tips of Sri Lanka, from the Southern point Dondra to the Northern Point Pedro
Estimated time for entire journey: 45 days.
Distance: 500 km plus
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LongWalkOfHope
Phases:
Phase II: Dondra to Ratnapura
Phase III: Ratnapura to Kurunegala
Phase IV: Kurunegala to Anuradhapura
Phase V: Anuradhapura to Tunukkai
Phase VI: Tunukkai to Point Pedro
Pledges:
LKR 500 or US$ 5 per km
LKR 5000 or US$ 50 per Phase
LKR 50,000 0r USD 500 for the entire journey
Pledges for "LONG WALK OF HOPE" can be made to:
CCC Foundation Sri Lanka,
Commercial Bank- Corporate Branch
A/C No: 1416440701
The pledges have been structured to gain support from all. There is no restriction or limitation to the number of pledges that can be made. It is nothing more than a guideline, not restricted to any single amount or a distance. In truth, every cent counts. To facilitate transparency your pledge goes directly to the two organizations and the pledge is equally divided between the two organizations.
CCC House of CCC Foundation
The Courage Compassion Commitment (CCC) Foundation is a not-for-profit organization based in Sri Lanka and Australia to provide services in the areas of cancer and mental wellbeing. CCC Foundation was founded in 2003 to assist the National Cancer Institute in Maharagama, Sri Lanka (NCI) to provide support for children fighting cancer.
The CCC Foundation operates and maintains the CCC House, a 188-bed cancer transit home for outpatients at the NCI. It is the largest facility of its kind for children and their caregivers, as well as adult outpatients with cancer in Sri Lanka.
Colours of Courage
The Colours of Courage Trust is a unique organization founded in 2008 as a means of addressing the needs of the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama. It has been specially formulated to not only tackle the current, most urgent needs of the hospital, but also focuses on maintaining initiated projects and actively engaging in new ventures. The Colours of Courage Trust is involved in upgrading the facilities of the National Cancer Institute and promotes cancer research.
The Pediatric Cancer Ward built by the Colours of Courage Foundation at Thelippalai, in the North is the first cancer unit built for children in the former war zone.
For more information visit:
www.coloursofcourage.com
http://www.trailsl.com/
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0 Comments
Nishan Rathnayake says:
May 30, 2013 at 12:00 amI will join with you...
Wimal says:
May 31, 2013 at 12:00 amBloody nonsense!!!
Stewart Sloan says:
May 31, 2013 at 12:00 amA wonderful idea and I wish you every success
Salila says:
Jun 01, 2013 at 12:00 amWe need to do something..., something new to change the society for better. Everything starts as an idea in a mind, your intentions are very good. I hope we have more people like you to turn this society for better...
Nirmal says:
Jun 02, 2013 at 12:00 amGood job
vérité says:
Jun 03, 2013 at 12:00 amWimal. What is nonsensical about a person who tries to raise money for a good cause? It is a sad reflection on society, that there are uncaring human being such as you, who deride the good works of others. Many of whom are trying for a better more sympathetic world. Educate yourself before making horrible comments.