As villagers struggle to put food on the table, a resort in Yasawa has stepped up to provide food for struggling families.
Turtle Island Resort staff members and management rallied over the past few days to hand out $60,000 worth of groceries to 370 families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the resort, the funds were raised through a GoFundMe page set up by the island’s management team.
Tourism operators in the region provide the majority of employment for the families in the Nacula district.
Because of the global COVID-19 travel restrictions, many tourist operators in the area have temporarily closed and with no tourists, inter-island transport costs have increased and have affected access to much needed supplies.
After an initial $15,000 donation to the district’s COVID-19 food relief program, which also included the purchase of fishing and farming equipment as well as food supplies, the resort reached out to its global partners to raise additional funds in an effort to further support struggling families.
The funds raised were used to provide essential Fijian staple foods such as rice, flour, sugar, biscuits, yeast and baking powder.
Deliveries to all the families were done last week by the resort management team and staff members.
Turtle Island managing director Richard Evanson Jr said the supplies were distributed to each of the seven villages within the district.
“These supplies are gratefully received and will go a long way in helping our tikina during these challenging times,” he said.
“I’ve had many families come up to me to say thank you and ask that I share their deepest gratitude to everyone who donated, saying that these food supplies have arrived at a time when it was needed most.
“We are deeply touched by the support and generosity of our Turtle family, guests and friends from all over the world.”
The GoFundMe page received a total of 97 donations which came mostly from past guests of the island with some choosing to share their memories with their donation.
Donors left messages of support for the resort and their efforts to assist their community.
“We were married on Turtle Island 35 years ago. We love beautiful Fiji and the beautiful Fijian people. We want to visit again when this virus is gone. Stay safe,” said a donor.
“Turtle Island is magical — but it’s the people there that make it so special. We hope things get back to normal soon.”
