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Why I Ride:

Cycling long distances outside the U.S. has always been a dream of mine. So, when four friends from the San Francisco Bay Area—fellow enthusiasts who share my love for physical challenges—told me about an opportunity to ride 280 miles (450 km) in four consecutive days from Colombo to Jaffna as part of Trek4Ceylon, I knew I had to join. This event aims to raise funds for the renovation and restoration of St. Luke’s Methodist Hospital in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Excited by the cause and the adventure, I eagerly joined Team San Francisco to participate in T4C2025 and ride alongside cyclists from around the globe.

Why Trek4Ceylon

This ride is more than just about cycling; it’s a journey of sport, fun, and camaraderie that deepens our connection as riders while also serving as a powerful platform to raise awareness and support. Symbolically, the trek from Colombo to Northern Sri Lanka traces a path through the country’s painful civil war history, but it also represents a future filled with healing and hope.

Trek4Ceylon has chosen St. Luke’s Methodist Hospital as a cause in dire need of support. Run by the Methodist Mission, this hospital has long been a pillar of the local community, earning its trust and respect through its dedication to healthcare. The funds raised by the T4C2025 ride will be directed towards renovating the building that houses the outpatient department (OPD). The goal is to establish and equip three consulting rooms to support doctors, including a pediatric specialist. The hospital will also offer laboratory and pharmacy services.

Future rides will continue to expand these efforts, aiming to introduce in-patient care and focus on areas often underserved by the government healthcare system. These include special needs care for children, diabetic clinics, short- and long-term rehabilitation, palliative care, maternity, and dental services. Trek4Ceylon’s involvement doesn’t end with fundraising; they have qualified medical professionals on the St. Luke’s Methodist Hospital board to guide these strategic investments and ensure accountability.

St. Luke’s Methodist Hospital, Puttur

St. Luke’s Methodist Hospital was founded in 1901 by the Methodist Mission in the Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka. Once known for its excellent in-patient care, outpatient services, maternity care, and dental services, the hospital has since been severely impacted by the country’s long civil war. Due to a lack of facilities and personnel, the hospital ceased functioning for years. After the war, the Puttur Methodist Mission was committed to reopening it to serve the community, but a lack of funding has hindered their efforts.

Today, the hospital offers only two hours of consultation services on weekdays, provided by a retired medical officer. Through Trek4Ceylon’s support, we hope to restore this vital institution, returning it to its former role as a key provider of healthcare in the region.

St. Luke’s Methodist Hospital in Pictures – Today

The 3 pictures below show the only building that has been partly renovated by the Methodist Mission with one room used by retired medical officer to provide 2 hours of consultancy every weekday:

The pictures below show the buildings in need of restoration and repurposing:

Donations

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Ride donations can be made via the following link:

https://donate.justgiving.com/page/sanjaya-dharmasena-1729476011309/donation-amount

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