A Look Back on Hello Hallu by MUI

Sunday 9th of August 2020

A Look Back on Hello Hallu by MUI

The Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) is a multiple award-winning marine conservation initiative based at Six Senses Laamu, a 5-star resort in the Maldives. MUI consists of staff from the resort, as well as its three partner NGOs: The Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation and The Olive Ridley Project, all of whom work together to enable research, guest education and community outreach goals.’

Hello Hallu

In 2019, 195 snorkeling sets were donated to all 13 schools in Laamu Atoll, where MUI took 114 children on snorkeling excursions so that they can see in person all that they have learnt about in the Hello Hallu program. Hello Hallu means ‘hello solution’ in Dhivehi and aims to educate groups of school students about the environmental issues faced in their communities. The programme encourages students to take part in creating solutions for tackling such wicked problems and overcome the detrimental impacts.

Protection through Kids

54 students completed the HelloHallu program in 2019, with 6 survey hours spent exclusively on collecting biodiversity data by snorkeling. Students enjoyed the work very much, with some of the curious little ones committing themselves to such activities for the very first time. 8 local shops and cafes were surveyed about plastic consumption and 200 Blue’s Plenetari Makerzines were distributed to students from 6 schools, who wrote letters to policy makers in the Maldives requesting the protection of Laamu’s marine habitats.

MUI aims to expand this program to reach all 13 schools and over 3,000 students across the entire atoll, and ensure marine conservation becomes a core component of the national school curriculum. The conservation efforts of the Maldives Underwater Initiative are made possible by the generous contributions and donations of its supporters, which is Six Senses Laamu resort.