Long walk of Hope

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 while. A walk of hope. And 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 during my tenure it is seemed timely to embark on this exiting 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 at the National Cancer Institute in 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 for them too. And I hope.

My trek

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.

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 carrying any medication, tentage, equipment or responsibility 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

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

The pledges have been structured to gain support from all who wish to support and for those virtual trekkers who want to join me but cannot.

There is neither restriction nor limitation to the number of pledges that can be made is nothing more than a guideline and not restricted to any single amount or distance. In truth every cent counts in helping this cause.

To facilitate transparency your pledge goes directly to the two organizations and no one else and the pledge is equally divided between the two projects.

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

Did you know that in Sri Lanka

* 385 child cancer patients are discovered annually under the age of 14
* around 44 per cent of deaths was caused by cancer last year
* between one and three people die of oral cancer daily
(Source: Sri Lanka Health Ministry)

About 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 well being. 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 is currently completing the final phase of construction of 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 carers, as well as adult outpatients with cancer in Sri Lanka.

For more information visit: http://www.cccfoundation.org.au

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