Minor Hotels join hands with Ayati Trust

Dillip Rajakarier (Group CEO of Minor hotels international) 3 from left handing over the donation cheque to Shiromi Masakorala-Executive Director of Ayati Trust 5 from left and to Abbas Esufally -Deputy Chairman of Ayati Trust 4 from left.

By Manjula D. Phillips

Continuing the global vision of the Dollars for Deeds programme, where guests’ contributions are matched by the resorts, Minor Hotels has taken another step to create a meaningful impact by directing the funds this time to Ayati Foundation this year.

The official signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding between Minor Hotels and Ayati Trust took place at NH collection, Colombo on last wednesday (08).

Ayati is dedicated to raising the standard of diagnosis, care, and rehabilitation of children with disabilities across the country. The foundation is known to empower  disabled children to reach their full potential,  and to nurture them to engage with modern society. 

The centre has been in operation since 2020 in the country.

Minor Hotels is an international hotel owner across 59 countries including Sri Lanka, and   has been occupied with the Dollars for deeds programme since 2015. This initiative allows guests to opt in and donate one dollar per night of their stay, where possible Minor Hotels then matches dollar for dollar, contributing to meaningful causes that champion environmental sustainability and community welfare.

In Sri Lanka, their support has been directed towards the Turtle Hatchery, Tangalle,  and the Elephant orphanage in Pinnawala before  partnering with Ayati Trust.

Since its opening,  over 14,000 children have registered at the centre with a daily attendance of nearly 60. Ayati also provides transport allowances, meal support and parent encouragement initiatives, apart from planning for long–term sustainability through skills training for the disabled children. 

“We believe hospitality must extend beyond the guest experience to a lasting, positive influence on the communities we serve. Ayati represents exactly the kind of long term systemic impact we aim to support through Dollars for deeds. This partnership reflects our confidence in Ayati and our commitment to enabling a better future for the children of Sri Lanka,” Dillip Rajakarier, the group CEO of Minor International, the parent company of Minor Hotels,  explained his views of the partnership with Ayati Trust.  

“Partnering with Minor Hotels is a significant step forward and we believe this support will help us to expand our reach, strengthen our services and immensely help to build childrens’ lives for the better,” Shiromi Masakorala,  Executive Director of Ayati Trust,  said while thanking  Minor Hotels. 

After the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Minor hotels and Ayati Trust,  a cheque worth rupees five million   was donated by the Minor Hotels to Ayati Trust.