Raffe Hotels & Resorts has launched the Malolo Lailai Community Trust to empower and support the local communities within the region. As the parent company of Plantation Island Resort, Lomani Island Resort & Spa, and Fiji Gateway Hotel, Raffe Hotels & Resorts reaffirms its dedication to the cultural values and traditions inherent to Fiji.
The trust, named after the island of Malolo Lailai in the Mamanuca Islands, introduces a structured application and grant system that allows community members to apply for funding. This initiative will focus on five vital areas: education, health, environmental care, emergency relief, and community wellbeing. The overarching goal of the trust is to deliver effective support where it is most needed, thereby enhancing resilience and promoting community-led partnerships.
CEO Lee Pearce highlighted that guests frequently express a desire to give back to the communities that enrich their experience in Fiji. Inspired by this enthusiasm, the trust was established to formalize and sustain the generosity exhibited by guests and staff in past initiatives, such as providing school supplies and offering assistance during natural disasters.
To encourage guest involvement, Raffe Hotels & Resorts invites visitors at all three properties to contribute a small, voluntary donation—ranging from $1 to $10 per stay—towards the trust. In a show of commitment, the resorts will match these contributions dollar-for-dollar, effectively doubling the impact of each guest’s donation. This collaborative funding will be allocated through a transparent grant system, with regular updates provided to guests on how their contributions are utilized.
While this marks the first formal structure for charitable support at Raffe Hotels & Resorts, the company has a longstanding history of initiatives focused on education, environmental restoration, health, and empowerment, primarily spearheaded by the team at Plantation Island Resort. Pearce noted that previous projects have already positively impacted many lives, and the new trust will build upon these efforts, ensuring that local community needs remain at the forefront of all decisions.
Community leaders are encouraged to apply for funding to support projects aligned with the trust’s five core pillars beginning in 2026. Potential projects may include solar power installations for schools, infrastructure improvements, disaster recovery efforts, and health and wellbeing programs.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in Raffe Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to uplifting local communities while ensuring that guests feel connected to a cause that contributes meaningfully to the health, education, and wellbeing of the people of Fiji. Through collective efforts, the trust aspires to sustain this support for generations, fostering a deeper bond between guests and the communities they visit.