We experienced the worst of times and the best of times on our January mission to Fiji. 
Our arrival was perfectly aligned with the largest deluge of rain in 60 years, flooding the western side of Fiji in Nadi, destroying infrastructure and leaving many villages in the Yasawa Islands with no viable food from their crops.  So much rain fell in a two week period that everything literally rotted from sogginess.

Many changes happened to original plans because of the weather.  Our cataract team was diverted to the main hospital in Suva instead of setting up their team at Navutu Stars in the Yasawas.  St. Vincent DePaul in Nausori flooded so their rummage sale moved to Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva.  The rummage sale that Terry Holladay had planned for fund raising at Vuaki Village in the Yasawas moved to Suva as well.  Terry had spent the year collecting an inordinate amount of hotel linens and bedding for the sale to raise money for the village’s solar project.  Everyone was thrilled to have the opportunity to buy Terry’s linens.


Word spread quickly and the proceeds from the  four day rummage sale provided $20,000.00 worth of abundant gifts.  Allison Batlin had the assistance of Bernadette Ganilau and Nancy Duell and many, many other local people who worked tirelessly to make the sale a huge success.  As a result,

·         150 school tuitions will be funded
·         A school library will be finished at Ratu Emeri primary school ·         $3000 of the profits from the sale were contributed towards the purchase of two weeks worth of food for 150 of the neediest families in Yageta, Vuaki, Nabukeru and Malakati Villages. 

It was gratifying to see how everyone,  foreign and local, came together to help each other during this week. 

The rain stopped, the cloudy skies parted and the brilliant sunshine and calm seas returned.  This enabled our medical team to travel to Navutu Stars on Yageta in the Yasawas.  Owners Maddalena Morandi and Manfredi do Lucia had hastily put things back together after the storm for our arrival.  Each year, they have hosted us in exchange for providing a weeks worth of medical clinics and supplies at various locations in the area. 

Fredi and Madda personify the best of humanity.  They have taken on the responsibility of making sure the surrounding villages have enough food.  They will also initiate a re-seeding program so the villages can replant sustainable crops that will produce sustenance quickly.  It is a daunting and commendable task to reach out beyond your own needs in the time of need. 


After one of their employees died this year, they set up a foundation called “the Lion Cubs”.  It is intended to provide support for 40 of the neediest children in Yageta Village.  Through the foundation, tuition, uniforms, books and medical expenses will be provided.  In their spare time, Madda and Fredi are the parents of adorable 2 year old twins and they also just happen to run the resort quite well too!  
 


Following is a summary of what our team completed:

In 6 days, Drs. Phil Higginbottom, Derek Jones and Brian Modena saw a total of 304 people from four different villages.    Intake screeners Allison Batlin and Rich Kwasny helped with paperwork and dispensing of medicine. 
 
Our portable dental unit was skillfully run by Dr. Bob Duell and assisted by Nancy Duell and Linda Kwasny.   Bob was able to fill 47 teeth, bond 8 teeth and he extracted 25 teeth.  It’s incredibly labor-intensive work . 

Bob is happiest  that he could save 47 teeth from extraction. 
The Loloma Foundation is honored to be partnered with Navutu Stars and we look forward to returning annually to jointly support improving the quality of life for the gracious Yasawa Islanders. 
Many thanks to all of the volunteers who gave their time, energy, financial support and their hearts to make this challenging trip successful.