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The Lion Cub Foundation was founded
by Navutu Stars Resort in November 2008 after the premature
death of one of our beloved staff, Leone, from Yaqeta
Village. Leone was a warm hearted man who cared for his
family of three children, and also for the children of his
late brother, who had died in the previous August. Upon his
death, his wife and his pregnant sister in law were left to
care for eight children with no income whatsoever to support
the young children’s education and their medical
needs. Navutu Stars decided then to help them and
other children from Yaqeta in need.
With the help of our two marvelous barmen Kikau and Sunia,
43 children aged from 1 to 17 were selected. Some had lost
one of their parents, others had been left in the care of
grandparents who did not have an income to financially
support them, and some others were the children of single
mothers.
Health and education were and still are our priorities and
form the core the Foundation.
The Lion Cubs receive regular medical checks by American
doctors from the Loloma Foundation during the yearly Health
Clinic hosted by Navutu Stars Resort. For Medical
Emergencies we provide transport to and from the mainland
for the sick child and a guardian, and we pay for any
medical expense.
The Lion Cubs are now also offered a brighter future with
the Foundation purchasing school uniforms, stationery, books
and paying for school fees, which can be quite high for
secondary school (especially when boarding is needed) and
which are usually too expensive for Fijian islanders.
The Foundation started only with a donation from the Resort
and is now receiving the help of its guests who every Sunday
are able to meet with the Lion Cub children, who come to the
resort to sing, drink some juice and mingle with the
Papalagi (Foreigners). The children love to be part of the
group and are usually accompanied by all the children from
the Sunday School and together they bring to us their joyful
laughter and curiosity.
Thank you very much
Vinaka Vaka Levu |