We are one of our community’s oldest and most active NGOs and we work to create a stronger community through projects that involve or affect all the people of our island.
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Environment
Amway Visit & Donation to Atoll Marine Centre
This time last week the Naifaru Juvenile team was feeling very exhausted, but delighted, after a mid-week event that was set to make our Marine Centre's year. We were being visited by Amway Europe - one of the world's largest direct selling companies, operating in more than 80 countries and territories. The company rewards its top sellers or ABOs (Amway Business Owners) every year by taking them to far flung exotic places to relax, unwind, socialise
Read moreThe Nature Club has started!
The new school term has meant that we can finally start the nature club. There are two schools in the Lhaviyani atoll taking part in the nature club. We aim to improve their knowledge of the marine environment and its importance. 'Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world,' especially when educating youth who are our future leaders. There will be lectures and activities such as beach clean ups. The first session
Read moreJanuary brings Hawksbill and Olive Ridley turtles
2016 has brought a lot of action to the Atoll Marine Centre. The centre received La Petite from the four seasons resort, an Olive Ridley turtle that had its left flipper severed when hit by a boat. Four seasons tended to her wounds and then she came to the centre to spend time in the sea cage and see if she could start to dive again. If a turtle cannot dive, they cannot survive in the wild. Two hawksbill turtles were brought to centre. The
Read moreAtoll Marine Centre in December
In December we saw the arrival of a green turtle hatchling, which was soon named Jonathan by our Marine Biologist, Ben. At two weeks old he was in very good shape and active. We finished our art piece, made from recycled bottle caps. The idea is to raise awareness about the impacts of plastic on the marine environment and to show potential ways of recycling. Hopefully what we have produced is thought-provoking and will inspire people to come
Read moreHosting a stall at the LECReD fair
The Low Emission Climate Resilient Development (LECRed) Progamme works to mainstream resource efficiency and climate change into local development planning. Atoll marine centre was invited to take part in the event. We used our stall to present our marine conservation projects and to expand our partnerships! The stall was very popular with the local people and government officials. We met lots of interesting projects and motivated people
Read moreOut of Sight, Not Out of Mind – Turtle Conservation Fundraiser
On the 19th of July our brilliant volunteer Asher Nowlan ran a quiz evening in Australia in aid of sea turtle conservation and our work here on Naifaru. The evening was a huge success and all her efforts, and the generosity of attendees, managed to raise 1500 Australian dollars for our turtle conservation programme! This sort of dedication, generosity and passion, even when returning back home, is so very special and we want to sincerely thank Asher
Read moreLet’s eliminate plastic bags on Naifaru – an Eco-Bag for every household!
Distribution has begun of eco-friendly shopping bags for all residents of Naifaru. These bags were developed through a World Bank funded program called “Let’s Go Zero Waste” of which the final aim is to eliminate excess waste from Naifaru and to reduce the amount of plastic burnt to keep our island beautiful and atmosphere safe. Plastic bags and bottles are an increasing problem, and contribute daily in their masses to the waste problem. Every
Read moreMaldives Environmental Management Workshop for Local Facilitators
The Maldives Environmental Management Program, funded by World Bank, has been in full swing this week on Naifaru! We’ve been pleased to welcome facilitators from Live & Learn to be running a five-day workshop, Training of Trainers (TOT), to create facilitators to work throughout the northern atolls. Representatives have come from Noonu, Raa, and Baa atolls to attend this workshop, joining Naifaru and Hinnavaru-based attendees from Lhavianyi
Read moreEnvironmental Waste Program for School Students
Over the month of February, two international volunteers ran an awareness course in Madharushathul Ifthithaah School for Grade 10 students about management of the community’s natural resources. Matthew Morgan, from England, delivered presentations on topics such as the dangers of overfishing, sustainable fishing methods, critiques of current local fishing practices, as well as general fish and coral identification of local species. Clara Scheuring
Read moreClean Up the World Event
The community came together to help clean up the island on Saturday the 15th of September for the annual Clean Up the World event. The event was carried out between two local NGOs, Naifaru Juvenile and Eco-Youth, divers from Prodivers at Kuredu resort and two divers from the MNDF. Prodivers from Kuredu initially took the initiative and invited NGOs from Naifaru to a meeting discussing the prospect of doing a day of cleaning on the island. They agreed
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