We see a lot of posts on social media of travellers wanting to help Sri Lankan people.
Though it usually comes from a good intention, what travellers propose to do is probably not always the best they could do. .
Let’s not speak here about the people whose intention is unhappily to make a buzz on instagram by posting pix of them distributing pencils to poor-looking children, as i do hope they are not the majority of the travellers who say they want to help.
Nevertheless, a lot of posts by people willing to help are about bringing used clothes or stationary from their home countries to distribute to people in need here.
Is it really what is most needed here?
If you really want to help, it could be useful to think about reciprocity.
Imagine you would face an economic crisis in your own country, where employment becomes scarce, inflation is so high that at some point, even though you had been considered as a middle-class family, you also can’t afford the basics anymore… Now, some foreign travellers visit your country and see your distress. What would make more sense here? That they bring you used clothes from their country? That they give stationary they brought from home to your kids?
In reality, sorry to say so, but none of these gestures significantly helps the local economy. And I am sure a majority of you would agree that if you were made jobless by an economic crisis, you would prefer to be employed for a day, so that you could provide for your family, rather than to receive pencils for your kids. Especially if the electricity company just reminded you that without payment of your bill within a week, they would disconnect the electricity supply.
So Sri Lanka is not different. If you really mean to help, please when you come, kindly try your best to create local employment. There are indeed so many ways to do so, here are just a few suggestions:
Take a local guide when you go trekking rather than relying on Google maps.
Buy from street vendors and small shops.
Hire a local taxi when moving from place to place (not through a damn cheap app please, which is known for not paying fairly the drivers).
Eat in local restaurants rather than cooking yourself.
Stitch new clothes by buying local fabrics and hiring a local tailor to copy your favorite dress.
Drink plenty of coconut juices on the road side.
Take a guided tour, an excursion where you get to learn from the local people.
Hire the expertise of a local travel agent rather than spending countless hours on social media to create your itinerary.
Buy local handicraft and souvenirs to gift your loved ones.
Tip the people who help you on the way.
Etc. Etc…
These are only a few ways to generate work and income for the local population, and to make a real difference, in terms of economic recovery.
No offense here, but please consider that as a struggling country with an ailing tourism industry, what we need from you is more work than charity.
Please assist the friendly Sri Lankan people by kindly giving them many many many possibilities to assist you in filling your holidays with some meaningful sharing and caring opportunities.
Thanks to our guests to have understood this so well! Here enjoying our “when nature lovers meet” excursion and preparing soil in Rûmi’s Eco Garden during their visit of Batticaloa.
