Ahura Resorts Fiji Support MALOLO ISLAND YARO VILLAGE KINDERGARTEN UPGRADE

1. Ahura Resorts - the Fijian family company who owns and operates Malolo Island and Likuliku Lagoon Resorts, has partnered with Australian family business - SpotGo Premium Cleaning Products and owners Brendan and Nancy Small, to upgrade the Kindergarten and teacher’s quarters in the local Malolo Island village of Yaro.

Officially known as the Navatalesau Brigid Kindergarten, the school has 10 students from 4 to 6 years old, and is a partnership between Fiji’s Ministry of Education, Yaro Village,  Ahura Resorts and owners the Whitton family.
 

Beginning in August,  an investment of FJD$45,000 (approx. AUD$30,000) will go towards the upgrading of the Kindergarten Building and surrounding services and, the Kindergarten teacher’s quarters – a joint project between SpotGo and Ahura Resorts Yaro Village Kindy Foundation.

SpotGo’s Brendan and Nancy Small are not only multiple return guests to Malolo and Likuliku over the years, but Brendan is also a grandson to Roy Whitton, which is why he has such a love and connection to Fiji and his Fijian family.    It was on one particular visit when Brendan and Nancy took the resort Village Tour in February of this year, that they decided they would like to partner with Ahura Resorts and the Whitton family to assist the Kindergarten.   Since then, they have undertaken several fundraising efforts in Australia from which the generosity of those who have donated funds, has now enabled this vital work to proceed. 

50% of the funds will go to installing solar electricity to the Kindy classroom, water storage for toilets and washrooms, and an upgrade of the classroom and playground.

The other 50% will be allocated to upgrading the Kindergarten teacher’s quarters which will include providing electricity via solar panels, water storage, kitchen and bathroom extensions, and other ancillary services.  

The project will take two weeks with a team of construction workers and volunteers, together with the solar engineers and Yaro village Kindy committee.

Ahura’s Fijian owners Tony and Brigid Whitton said, “We are delighted that both our beautiful resorts have re-opened after being closed for almost two years due to the COVID pandemic and, now able to support the Kindy again by carrying out critical upgrades of services and infrastructure.   Providing high quality education to the children of our resource owners on Yaro village is so important and we are so grateful that we can partner with Brendan and Nancy and all their family and friends who, through their efforts, have ensured these vital works can go ahead. “

Brendan and Nancy Small, the owners of SpotGo said, “When we visited in February we realized that the Kindergarten was closed for almost two years and was only now slowly re-opening.  We know that much of the village economy relies on Tourism and COVID lock-downs had a big impact on the children of Yaro village. We went back home and talked to friends and donors on how the Kindy was in need of assistance and started this fundraiser.  So we’re delighted to see the works begin.” 

About Yaro Village

Yaro Village owns the land on which Malolo Island and Likuliku Lagoon Resorts are located and both resorts have a 99 year lease, given by Yaro Village.    The lease is issued by Fiji’s Native Land Trust Board on behalf of the Resource owners, and this lease is between Yaro Village and the tribe Mataqali Ketenamasi, and the Whitton family - who are the developers and owners of the resorts.   The lease gives permission to develop the land, and in exchange the Resource owners get paid a percentage of every dollar that our guests spend when they stay.

Ahura Resorts also supports village infrastructure improvements and education scholarships, and over the years, has helped supply the village with water, power, and currently financially supports the Kindergarten and teacher’s quarters in partnership with Mataqali Ketenamasi and other third party stakeholders like SpotGo.    Resource owners also receive employment at the resorts.   

More information on the Resorts can be found on Malolo’s and Likuliku’s websites.  

More information on SpotGo Premium Cleaning Products can be found here.

ENDS

MALOLO ISLAND RESORT IMAGES & VIDEO

LIKULIKU LAGOON RESORT IMAGES & VIDEO 

Ahura was an ancient god of creations who symbolised life, kindness, equality, care of the environment, charity, loyalty and faithfulness to settlement, tribe and county. The omnipresent sun was an enduring symbol of radiance, purity and life sustenance.  Today, Ahura Resorts embodies these same values.  As a 100% Fijian-owned company, with nearly 50 years’ experience in tourism and hospitality throughout the Pacific, Ahura is dedicated to providing quality holiday and lifestyle experiences while preserving cultural values and the surrounding environment.  Ahura is the management company operating two of Fiji’s most popular, award-winning and well-known resorts - Malolo Island Resort, and the luxury escape for adults-only featuring Fiji’s first and only authentic over-water bures - Likuliku Lagoon Resort.  Experience the Warm Heart of Fiji with Ahura Resorts.  www.ahuraresorts.com

For further information please contact: 

Samantha Muspratt dosm@ahuraresorts.com 

PH: +61 412 497296

Image 2: Holding sign L to R: Brendan and Nancy Small from SpotGo and at the very back L to R, Brigid and Tony Whitton