When Leo and myself started KSL, we did a 1 page Word document that highlighted values we would like to inculcate through our business. One of the key aspects was COMMUNITY. As ordinary individuals we had no big savings or financial backing. We did have people who believed in us. Friends and families who through our association believed in helping us achieve our \crazy' dream of a creating a kitesurfing community in Sri Lanka.
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I remember our long term kitesurfing friends offering us a loan to start our business, I remember the middle income Sri Lankan gentlemen who on experiencing what we have started offered part of his life savings,, I remember our families giving their savings. Trust in 2 individuals with the belief that we could do something extraordinary.
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We fast forward to the present. Many people who experienced KSL are amazed at the hospitality and kindness of our team. Some even ask me why. All I say is I am very grateful. There were people who supported us in a time of need and in their name we carry this legacy of hospitality and kindness. Our lives are too short to amass wealth and status - rather lets lift each other up and give self worth to all.
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Covid has made us all question many things - about ourselves, our lives, our world. A personal struggle for me was questioning whether I had failed as a businessman. We survived the troubles last year and we simple didn't have the reserves to survive another. Had I mad a bad decision somehow? It was then, with our team we reached out to our community for help by means of a fundraiser. The response blew us away. We were amazed at how many people contributed, shared and spread the post around. People contacted me personally, some did not have money but they assured me with their thoughts and prayers which were strenght in itself. Around two and half weeks later we exceeded the campaign goal.
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As in the start of KSL, this time we had more help come in the form of a interest free loan by guests to help us cover our bank loans! Another example of persons putting their savings to help a total outsider. I was so grateful to the God above.
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Through all this the biggest lesson I have learnt that it is not just Leo or myself that 'own' KSL. We are simply the 'trustees' of an amazing community of people. KSL is ours. Ours meaning YOU who have supported us by sharing in our experience; be it by supporting us financially, staying here with us as a guest, creating a mural/ painting, planting a mangrove or tree, serving in the team or as a guest musician, by prayer support or giving us a suggestion. I am more motivated to continue to be a blessing to others - people and community - in the name of you who supported and kept KSL afloat during the hardest of years of our existence.
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As I write this, I work on a proposal to grow more mangroves and create an educational center, regrow more trees on our beach property, talk about potential waste management apps and solutions and say yes to talk to Management Trainees in the Corporate Sector via Zoom. My life would never be the same. I am encouraged by the goodness in people and now on a mission, more than ever before to use the tool of Kitesurfing Lanka to make a positive change in our community, country and world.
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