Where things stand
Even before reaching the village of Pihimbuwa, the team spent a day at Sarvodaya’s headquarters, our local partner, to get a deep understanding of the organization’s philosophy and how it operates.
What happened today
The team visited Sarvodaya’s headquarters, where they were welcomed by several directors as well as Bandula, the project lead on Sarvodaya’s side. The day included a long briefing on the organization’s philosophy, built around the principles of economic Buddhism, village self-sufficiency, ecotourism, and the development of eco-friendly villages. This philosophy is also tied to democratic principles and the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals— including access to clean water and women’s empowerment.
After sharing a meal with the Sarvodaya team, the group toured the entire headquarters as well as the meditation center. The day continued with a visit to the temple, where time was set aside to discuss Buddhist philosophy.
Highlight of the day
A first deep dive into Sarvodaya’s overall vision, going far beyond the question of water alone: a complete community development model, discovered by the team even before setting foot in Pihimbuwa.
