ACTIVITIES & BENEFICIARIES

Here are brief descriptions of some of the programs and organizations assisted by the Savusavu Community Foundation. The Eye and Dental Clinics are a major focus of The Foundation, since they provide instant and long-term benefit to many community members, and in notable cases provide life-changing improvements. Again, we are particularly appreciative to The Resort for its financial, logistical, and accommodations support for these major clinics, as well as assistance for SCF’s numerous programs undertaken in conjunction with other non-profit organizations in Fiji.

Healthcare

Eye Clinics. Now co-sponsored by the Savusavu Community Foundation, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, and The Beeve Foundation for World Eye Health, the Eye Clinics are in their 15th consecutive year. The 2004 and 2005 Fiji Eye Clinics were held at the Savusavu Hospital, as will the February 2006 clinic. The team includes 20 plus doctors, nurses, and support staff.

Each year, the eye clinics include vision screening for approximately 1500 children and adults, and 150-175 eye surgeries. During 15 years of clinics, the all-volunteer medical team has performed over 1400 surgeries, including cataract removals and corneal transplants, and has dispensed more than 18,000 pairs of glasses, all at no cost to patients. Both formal and informal programs are implemented to provide education to local doctors on surgical and follow-up procedures. After clinics are completed, significant amounts of equipment, instruments, and extra medicines are catalogued and provided to the local hospital.

There are many life changing and heart warming successes from these surgeries. The entire medical team got great laughs when two elderly sisters who hadn’t seen each other in 20 years because of their cataracts, were shocked after having their eye patches removed, and argued as to which of them was now “the ugliest”. A paramount chief over 7 villages on 5 islands had not seen his domain for 20 years because of cataracts, but after his surgery he was taken to the highest spot on his island from which he could see for miles. A grandmother had never been able to see any of her 20 grandchildren, but after her cataract surgery, she could see them as they all came to greet her with lots of tears from her, the children and the eye team. A fisherman’s vision was so bad he couldn’t provide for his family; but after surgery, he was back on the water in a matter of weeks. Two Fijians were flown to the United States for successful prosthetic eye procedures – and are now both confident and have completely overcome shyness.

The Eye Clinics were founded in 1991 by California ophthalmologist Dr. Jerold Beeve and his wife Dorothy, a registered nurse, who continue their incredible involvement and leadership. Many eye surgeons from throughout Southern California, Australia and New Zealand assist in the clinics. Especially helpful has been support from VOSO, a New Zealand based optometry group.

Dental Clinics. The Foundation’s dental team has been providing free clinics in Fiji since the early 1990s, mostly in the Yasawas and Nadi areas. Our first Dental Clinic in conjunction with The Resort was held in late 2003 in Savusavu. The volunteer dental team performed hundreds of x-rays, fillings, extractions, root canals, bondings, sealants, scalings, crowns, cleanings, and surgeries. During the weeklong program, a complete portable dental facility was set up at the Resort, with over $40,000 worth of portable dental equipment, which was donated to The Foundation through the generosity of one of our contributors. The dental clinics are currently held annually, but with the generous contributions of dentists from throughout the world, we hope to hold clinics at least four times per year.

“Even though most of our Fijian patients live in villages lacking electricity and telephones, they now receive dental care at levels similar to U.S. standards”, a volunteer dentist proudly notes. Another dentist beamed “there’s great satisfaction saving a tooth that the patient thought could only be pulled, creating a big sparkling smile, and providing long-term education for these remote islanders to pass down for generations to come.” The Foundation’s success with dental clinics has been great. No longer is a freely wielded pair of pliers the primary dental procedure in this area. One elderly female patient’s bite was so far off it was difficult for her to eat. Two treatments later, she could chew whatever she wished. A young man was painfully shy due to his missing front teeth, but after a composite bonding, he was soon flirting with two young Fijian girls.

Twice a year, we send dental teams to local schools to educate about brushing and flossing and provide children with free toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as fluoride treatments. Each of these weeklong programs serves between 1,100 and 1,500 school children. To most of these young Fijians, the taste of fluoride is as unpleasant as it is foreign, but they eagerly participate once told that this might save their teeth later in life. It gives our dental team great joy when the children clamor to shake their hands and wish them “Vinaka”, the Fijian word for “thank you.” To date, nearly 4000 Fijian children between ages 6 and 14 have had fluoride treatments at least one time, and most of them twice. While we have had tremendous success in obtaining contributions of fluoride, brushes, toothpaste, and floss, demand far exceeds current supplies. So, as you read this, if you can think of a dentist or company that can donate toothbrushes, floss or fluoride, we would be most appreciative.

Other Medical Programs. The Foundation plans to establish clinics in dermatology, pediatrics, and gynecology, as well as other disciplines over the next few years. We will also continue to provide training for local health care providers and provide funds for the acquisition of major equipment purchases for the Savusavu Hospital as well as other clinic locations.

Education/School Programs

Book Donation Program. The Foundation operates an ongoing effort to obtain donations of schoolbooks from the United States and Australia. To date, thousands of books have been contributed and shipped to Savusavu for distribution to local schools. While all subjects are welcome, there is particular interest in history, science, math, biology, and English books.

Educating the Community. In conjunction with Ocean Futures Society and the Resort, the Foundation assists with various conservation-related projects. The newest partnership, the Sustainable Reefs program, helps secondary schools, educators and communities in the Pacific Region to better understand the relationship between healthy reefs and the quality of people's lives. These efforts enable them to become better stewards of their coral reef resources. Founded by Jean-Michel Cousteau in 1999, Ocean Futures Society's mission is to explore the global ocean, inspiring and educating people worldwide to act responsibly for its protection, documenting the connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean's vital importance to the survival of all life on our planet.

Community Infrastructure Improvements

Village Improvements. Seacology is considered the world’s premier non-profit organization with the sole purpose of preserving the environment and cultures of islands throughout the world. Often the group comes to Fiji to implement its projects. Recently, in Nasigasiga (the village home of the Resort's beloved Cultural Host, Niumaia Kavika), Seacology provided a new water tank and water delivery system in exchange for 350 acres, which will remain a pristine rainforest reserve. This gave the village running water and flush toilets for the first time. Upcoming projects in Nasigasiga include a kindergarten and dispensary. The Foundation looks forward to assisting Seacology in these efforts.

Hospital Improvements. The Foundation has provided numerous improvements for the Savusavu Hospital, including painting, air-conditioning, and replacing the electric wiring in the operating rooms. A member of The Foundation’s board of directors is also on the Hospital board and will coordinate future needs assessments so that The Foundation can continue to seek appropriate donations from around the world.

Environmental Protection

Protecting the Namena Marine Reserve. About 20 kilometers from Savusavu, Namena Island is considered one of the world's top 10 dive sites. Thanks to the efforts of the Foundation and a member of the Resort’s Dive Center staff, the reefs around Namena were declared a marine reserve. The designation protects this pristine environment from fishing and other potentially damaging overuse. In conjunction with Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), divers who visit Namena must now have annual user-fee dive tags. Proceeds go to protect the Namena reefs and to a scholarship fund for village children. CORAL is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping coral reefs alive around the world.