Joali Festive Donation Continues to Make Impactful Changes in the Maldives

Sunday 11th of June 2023

During the past 6 months, the esteemed luxury lifestyle and hospitality brand, JOALI has facilitated crucial funding for numerous institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as part of its JOALI Festive donation initiative conducted collectively through its two award-winning properties in the Maldives.

The art-immersive luxury resort, JOALI Maldives conducts an annual festive fundraiser with guests and hosts, enabling them to contribute towards worthy causes. Over the 2021-2022 festive period, funds were raised via a transformative art project where guests joined the resort’s resident artist to glaze ceramic fish by adding their own personal touch. The end result was a uniquely striking composition of all individual fishes, swimming joyfully in unison, displaying a strong symbol of collaboration.

General Manager of JOALI Maldives, Enver Arslan remarked, “This initiative is part of JOALI’s broader efforts around the ‘joy of caring’. Each aspect of our culture and strategy is designed to reflect responsible luxury. We cherish the positive impact we have been able to create during our time in the Maldives.” 

The JOALI festive donation for 2021-2022 has benefited several parties across the Maldives to carry out pioneering projects that support local communities and create positive change.

Supporting Local Projects & Bringing Real Change

Some of the fund's proceeds were given to three NGOs: the Olive Ridley Project, Women in Tech Maldives and Zero Waste Maldives. Since then, the trio has launched innovative projects managed collectively by JOALI Maldives and its sister property JOALI BEING, the brand’s wellness island.

Women in Tech Maldives – an NGO working to promote, empower and celebrate women in science and technology – conducted a #CodeforClimateMV project at the Raa Atoll School in R. Dhuvaafaru using the donation. This programme trained 18 girls in coding skills, including Python and Machine Learning and was concluded in September 2022.

In October 2022, Zero Waste Maldives utilized the funds to launch its ongoing #FehiFathi project in R. Ungoofaaru. Currently, the organization is working with the Women’s Development Committee of the island to reduce the amount of fabric waste that ends up in landfills by collecting clothes that can be reused or upcycled. This initiative also facilitated entrepreneurial opportunities for 15 local seamstresses.

Another Milestone in the Making

This May marks a new phase in the JOALI festive donation as the Olive Ridley Project is due to begin a 2-week community around Raa Atoll to create awareness about sea turtle conservation. As part of this tour, an expert delegation of marine biologists and educational officers from the brand and organization will visit six islands in Raa Atoll to conduct multi-stakeholder awareness sessions. The aim of this tour is to increase environmental literacy among various community groups and provide residents with knowledge and skills to actively participate in the protection and improvement of their local habitats.

The Olive Ridley Project firms believe that education is a powerful tool to build awareness and engage people particularly young people which would help drive action at local, international and policy levels. This viewpoint is jointly shared by JOALI and the brand will be providing more funds to support the community outreach programme in the future, with multiple tours scheduled throughout the rest of the island in Raa Atoll.

Additionally, JOALI BEING is also gearing up to open an Olive Ridley Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on the island soon. This purpose-built facility will house rescued sea turtles which will be nursed back to health by the resident biologist. The centre will also become a hub for turtle-focused research efforts in the area as well.

JOALI Brand – Rooted in Local Community

Sustainability is a core value for JOALI with several focus areas highlighted for its sustainability initiatives. This includes safeguarding the planet, fostering wellbeing, creating platforms for women and nurturing ethical consumption. In 2023, JOALI also inaugurated its Sustainability Fund which aspires to fund 10 local projects that align with its focus area. The first five projects selected for grant assistance will be offered funds this June 2023.

Since its inception in Raa Atoll, JOALI has demonstrated its commitment to the local community through a number of meaningful routes. This includes partnering with Maldivian organizations to train girls in local schools, offer hospitality internships to aspiring candidates and conduct virtual educational sessions for local university students.

Both properties also conduct school trips, enabling local students to take a look into the luxury hospitality industry and first-hand be informed about the career paths within the flourishing sector. JOALI is striving to facilitate this opportunity for every school in Raa Atoll at least once annually.