Tony and Brigid Whitton, proprietors of Ahura Resorts and Rosie Travel Group, have recently finalized several community-focused projects aimed at upgrading the infrastructure of Yaro Village and its kindergarten on Malolo Island. This marks a significant collaboration involving the Education Ministry, the local community, the Ahura Resorts Conservation Foundation, and the Whittons themselves. The kindergarten, now named Navatalesau Brigid Kindergarten, serves 15 young children, providing them with improved facilities and learning opportunities.
A notable component of this project is the investment of $15,000 in infrastructural enhancements, which included the installation of new solar batteries to secure an uninterrupted power supply, fresh paint for both the kindergarten and the teacher’s living quarters, and a new rainwater catchment tank. Additionally, initiatives such as workshops on recycling and waste management were introduced, alongside the distribution of recycling bins throughout the village. This recycling initiative empowers villagers to separate various materials like aluminum cans, paper, and glass, which are then collected for processing at the resorts’ advanced recycling facility.
Kindergarten teacher Shivani Shankar lauded the improvements, highlighting that the consistent power supply facilitated by the new solar batteries allows for a better learning environment. Mrs. Whitton expressed genuine enthusiasm about these advancements, especially in imparting knowledge about sustainability and recycling to the young students, cultivating early awareness and understanding of conservation practices.
Beyond the kindergarten, the Whittons and the Ahura Resorts Conservation Foundation have invested over $40,000 in wider community projects such as the inauguration of a new 30-meter footbridge in Yaro Village. Mr. Whitton commended the conservation foundation team for their unwavering commitment to environmental and community initiatives. This foundation, a registered charitable trust, harmonizes with resorts such as Malolo Island Resort and Likuliku Lagoon Resort by prioritizing resource stewardship and environmental accountability.
These completed projects underscore the Whittons’ and the resorts’ commitment to sustainable development and community progress on Malolo Island. Demonstrating the powerful results of effective partnerships and communal involvement, these efforts pave the way for further positive changes in the community, bolstering educational and environmental initiatives that serve as a beacon of hope and progress.