Velaa Private Island has launched the 2025 edition of its acclaimed community outreach initiative, Fehikuramaa, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and public health in Noonu Atoll. The programme was inaugurated on 1 September in Landhoo Island and is set to be implemented across all 13 inhabited islands of the atoll throughout the month, for the first time in its five-year journey.
Developed as part of Velaa Private Island’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, Fehikuramaa focuses on promoting nutrition and healthy living, particularly among schoolchildren and families. This year’s campaign is being conducted in collaboration with UNFPA Maldives, expanding its scope and technical reach. Through interactive, school-based sessions, the programme offers practical education in healthy eating, daily physical activity, and the connection between lifestyle habits and long-term wellbeing.
Every participating student receives two key items designed to support healthy choices beyond the classroom—a nutrition-divided plate to guide portioning at home, and a gym bag to promote regular movement. Lessons are enriched with input from a multidisciplinary team of specialists who bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.
Mohamed Mausoom, Resident Manager at Velaa Private Island, emphasized the grassroots nature of the initiative, stating, “Fehikuramaa was created to meet community needs island-by-island, and this year we highlighted the everyday habits that shape lifelong wellbeing. Our aim is to empower students with simple tools and knowledge they could use immediately—at school, at home, and in their communities.”
The programme has been developed in close partnership with local councils, schools, and community organisations since its launch in 2021. By working hand-in-hand with residents, the initiative continues to evolve each year, targeting practical outcomes and nurturing the holistic development of youth in the region.
Shadiya Ibrahim, Head of Office at UNFPA Maldives, highlighted the wider social and environmental impact of such efforts: “Everyday choices in food practices and interaction with the natural surroundings determine future health outcomes.” She also reiterated UNFPA’s ongoing support in uniting private sector leaders and technical experts to build a more inclusive and equitable society, particularly for women and young people living in remote island communities.
In addition to the Fehikuramaa campaign, Velaa Private Island extended its philanthropic reach earlier this year with a charitable donation of MVR 500,000 to two major national non-profit organisations—the Cancer Society of Maldives and the Maldives Autism Association. This contribution, made on 26 May 2025, further underscores the resort’s commitment to national health and community wellbeing beyond its immediate geographic sphere.
As one of the Maldives’ most exclusive luxury destinations, Velaa Private Island continues to serve as a model for responsible tourism, combining excellence in hospitality with a deep and sustained investment in the social fabric of the surrounding islands. Its dedication to fostering long-term, positive change through strategic partnerships reflects the resort’s vision to uplift not just guests, but also the communities that form the heart of the Maldives.
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