Soneva Fushi is located on one of the many coral-reef islands in Maldives' Baa Atoll and is surrounded by several inhabited islands, many of which benefit directly and indirectly through interaction with the resort. Soneva Fushi employs a total of 350 hosts, 60 % of which are Maldivian and 30 % of which are from Baa Atoll. It also obtains goods (such as local fish, fruits and vegetables) and services (for example for construction or repair work) from the surrounding area.
In addition to the benefits brought about by employing many skilled and qualified members of the local community and hosts from other Asian countries, a number of contributions are made to social projects each year. These activities utilise Soneva Fushi's human and financial resources and are primarily, though not exclusively, funded through our Social and Environmental Responsibility Budget. This budget consists of 0.5 % of the total annual revenue (approximately USD 70,000) and the total guest laundry revenue (approximately USD 20,000).
The following initiatives provide examples of the type of schemes that have been funded:
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Soneva Nature Trip: Every year, the resort and "EcoCare", a national NGO, organise and sponsor a week-long field trip for dozens of school children from the neighbouring islands and the capital Male'. The aim is to increase awareness of local social and environmental problems and the unique flora, fauna and geology of the Maldives.
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Soneva Career Fair: Career fairs are organised by both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili to help Maldivian school graduates access information about career opportunities at Soneva Resorts. Many students as well as government officials and senior members of hotel schools attended the two-day fairs, and hotel school trainees were employed at the resorts for an extended period.
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Cultural Centre in Maalhos: Several years ago, a Maldivian cultural centre was built in collaboration with the island community. The centre showcases local arts and crafts including boat-building, mat-weaving, grinding of herbs and spices, thatch-making, dance and music. It helps to increase awareness of Maldivian culture amongst both guests and islanders.
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Blood donation programme: Together with the Society for Health Education, a local NGO that promotes family well-being and works, among other services, to screen people for thalassaemia (a blood disease common in the Maldives), Soneva Fushi arranges blood donation events amongst its hosts and thereby supports local thalassaemia patients.
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Drug awareness programme: The National Narcotics Control Bureau is the main agency responsible for drug prevention in the Maldives and has helped Soneva Fushi carry out drug awareness events for its hosts and nearby communities.
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Eye camps: The resort initiated a very successful Eye Camp in 2001, whereby 1200 people on several local islands in Baa Atoll were examined by doctors and nurses and received eye glasses or medical treatment. Another event is planned for 2007.
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Tree Planting on Eydafushi Island: In March 2007 Soneva Fushi implemented a tree planting campaign in conjunction with the residents of our neighbouring island Eydafushi, as part of the resort's social responsibility programme. A group of hosts and resort guests presented 300 saplings to the staff and students of the island high school. Many guests are interested in the environmental profile of the resort, inquiring about the energy systems and environmental programmes of the resort by talking with our in-house perma-culturalist or reading the "Green Book", one of the in-room compendiums.
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Other benefits to local communities: The resort has donated personal computers to several schools, sponsored an expensive scanning unit for the atoll hospital, financed waste disposal areas on local islands, pays the monthly electricity costs for the neighbouring island's harbour lights and carries out weekly mosquito-prevention programmes on other local islands. The Eydhafushi Island Development Committee is also supported by employing women for island-cleaning activities on a weekly basis. Furthermore, numerous disabled children on local islands are continuously supported financially, and the medical treatment of the hosts and their families are regularly facilitated too.
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Soneva Fushi also participates in Six Senses' group-wide Social Responsibility Project in association with "Care for Children". This Thailand-based charity exists to relieve abandoned and orphaned children by the introduction of strategic initiatives in child care practice. The resort invites guests to offer financial support for "Care for Children" and therefore helps brighten many children's lives.
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