Fiji, a country of over 300 islands in the South Pacific, is one of the most unspoiled places on earth. It has an abundance of pristine reefs, white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, magnificent rainforests and over 800,000 incredibly friendly, giving, and fun loving Fijians. But everything is not perfect in this paradise, as unfortunate side effects dampen the idyllic. The glare of the sun off the dazzling white sands and reflections off the water result in a significant incidence of cataracts among natives. Gum disease, missing teeth and cavities are prevalent. Medical and dental care is virtually non-existent, and where it is available, it is prohibitively expensive. Island dentistry typically features a freely wielded pair of pliers and no anesthetic. Many Fijians rely on plants and herbs to cure or alleviate symptoms of most disorders. In some cases, they just suffer for long periods. Their diet is high in sugar and starch. There is a tremendous need for immediate medical care, long-term solutions, and education. And with hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting, it’s imperative that programs be implemented to preserve the environment and culture.

Since the early 1990s, a few dedicated individuals have tried to remedy these problems in various areas of Fiji. Over this same period, guests at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort (“The Resort”) and other concerned people from around the world have wanted to contribute to the well being of the Fijian people, who historically have had no outside support beyond their subsistence standard of living. As an outgrowth of these informal contributions and commitments, in early 2004, The Savusavu Community Foundation (“The Foundation”) was formed to provide health, education, transportation, environmental, and cultural preservation support to the community around Savusavu, the main town on Fiji’s second largest island of Vanua Levu, as well as continuing support in other areas of Fiji.

The Foundation is very pleased with the commitment toward its success made by Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort. In turn, we have borrowed the Resort’s stated ethic: “to take as little from the environment as possible, to give back as much as we can, and to respect others with whom we share this place.” It’s with good reason that Conde Nast Traveler magazine in its September 2005 issue named The Resort its top ecotourism destination/resort in the world.

The Savusavu Community Foundation welcomes outside support, donations, and grants, which go in entirety to the Foundation. Because the Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization in the U.S., all donations are tax-deductible for Americans. (Tax ID# is 20-1038213.) Residents of other countries should consult their tax advisors. Because of the generous support from so many people and organizations, all assistance is provided absolutely free of charge to all beneficiaries.