Atmosphere Foundation hosted a celebratory event on 16th January 2025 at the Meermuaa Event and Conference Centre, bringing together donors, project partners, and stakeholders to reflect on its remarkable journey over the past three years. The evening highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to sustainability and inclusivity through a range of impactful initiatives tackling social, environmental, and educational challenges in the Maldives.
Environmental Milestones
One of the standout initiatives celebrated was the Bamboo for Climate Change Mitigation project, an ambitious effort addressing climate change and promoting carbon sequestration. With over 4,000 bamboo plants nurtured and distributed across 30 locations, the initiative supports the Maldives’ commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.
A key achievement of this project is the HDh. Vaikaradhoo Bamboo Park, now home to 83 bamboo plants representing 13 varieties, making it the most diverse bamboo collection in the Maldives. Additionally, the Foundation’s World Environment Day 2024 celebrations showcased competitions, awareness sessions, and bamboo crafting workshops, fostering environmental consciousness and highlighting local talents.
Education and Vocational Training
Education has been a cornerstone of Atmosphere Foundation’s work. The Kakkaa Vathi Training Kitchen at Imaduddin School Jewel Centre provided certified culinary training to 44 students with diverse learning abilities. The accompanying Kakkaa Vathi Student Sponsorship programme enabled two graduates to pursue advanced education at the Maldives National University.
Literacy was another area of focus, with the Read Right with The Reading Room programme reaching 5,329 students across 13 atolls and training 1,500 teachers and 1,330 parents to support young readers in Dhivehi and English.
Vocational training has also played a significant role, with initiatives like the Vocational Skills Training programme in Fuvahmulah equipping 25 participants with skills in carpentry, bakery, housekeeping, and computer programming. Eleven participants successfully passed competency assessments, improving their career prospects. Additionally, Campus Day for TVEC Students provided career guidance and internship opportunities at Atmosphere Core resorts.
Women’s Empowerment and Innovation
The Foundation’s commitment to empowering women was reflected in Soft Toy Making Training programmes conducted in HDh. Vaikaradhoo and Sh. Goidhoo. These initiatives taught 29 women to craft soft toys and use recycled materials creatively, fostering economic opportunities. In Sh. Goidhoo, a young innovator with a passion for creating electronic models from recyclable materials received a laptop and ongoing mentoring.
Health and Community Care
Health initiatives have been central to the Foundation’s mission. The Community Outreach and Caregiver Workshops with Aged Care Maldives provided health screenings, specialist consultations, and caregiver training to over 874 senior citizens. Similarly, the Community Screening for Dementia initiative trained 75 screeners and reached 747 individuals, while the Eye Camp in Haa Dhaalu Atoll offered cataract surgeries to senior citizens.
The Speech and Hearing Camp in Faafu Atoll provided consultations for 91 children with speech and hearing impairments, while 45 teachers were trained to support classroom interventions effectively.
Promoting Marine Ecosystem Awareness
Atmosphere Foundation also played a vital role in promoting environmental awareness through its support for the Vaavoshi Festival in N. Kendhikulhudhoo. The festival highlighted the importance of marine ecosystems, with a particular focus on sea turtles.
Building Sustainable Communities
Reflecting on the Foundation’s work, Vice President Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem stated, “The Atmosphere Foundation envisions a world where communities are not just recipients of aid, but active participants in their own transformation.”
The Foundation’s event concluded with a shared sense of purpose and optimism as attendees reflected on its achievements and vision. With four new projects planned for the first quarter of 2025, Atmosphere Foundation continues to pave the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future in the Maldives.
