Velaa Marks Six Years of Fehikuramaa Supporting Noonu Atoll

Marking six years of its community-led Fehikuramaa initiative, Velaa Private Island has renewed its ongoing dedication to Noonu Atoll by continuing to fund adaptive, locally focused outreach programs.

Themed “Positive Lifestyle,” the 2026 iteration focused on physical activity, athletics, and community involvement across all 13 inhabited islands in the atoll. From August 26 through September 10, local sports festivals reached 3,034 students, using interactive events to highlight how teamwork, daily movement, and active living boost overall health.

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The festival series officially launched with an opening ceremony on Henbadhoo and wrapped up on Holhudhoo, signalling another success in Velaa Private Island’s long-standing partnership with Noonu Atoll’s resident communities.

Six Years of Evolving with the Community

Established in 2021 as a cornerstone of Velaa Private Island’s Corporate Social Responsibility framework, Fehikuramaa was initially designed to help Noonu Atoll’s local populations navigate waste management issues. Its primary focus from day one centred on spreading awareness, offering direct assistance, and inspiring sustainable habits throughout the region.

Over the past six years, the project has steadily broadened its scope. What began as baseline waste education quickly grew to encompass marine pollution, recycling, waste sorting, and direct eco-solutions. In 2023, the initiative introduced home composting and gardening, while also distributing reusable tote bags, refillable bottles, water dispensers, and waste-sorting bins. The following year, under the theme “Homemade,” the focus turned to locally crafted sustainable alternatives, highlighted by Velaa’s donation of industrial waste shredders to all 13 islands to boost local recycling capacity.

The programme subsequently expanded into areas of water safety, nutrition, and healthy living, reflecting a more holistic approach to community wellbeing. In 2025, Fehikuramaa reached all 13 inhabited islands for the first time, placing a primary focus on nutrition and wellness. Today, the initiative has evolved once again, shifting from foundational health habits toward encouraging active, sports-driven positive lifestyles.

3,034 Students Take Part in Fehikuramaa 2026

The 2026 programme brought sports festivals directly to each of Noonu Atoll’s inhabited islands, creating opportunities for children to participate together in an energetic and inclusive community environment.

With 3,034 students taking part, the initiative placed enjoyment, participation and movement at the centre of this year’s programme. Rather than focusing solely on competition, the festivals encouraged children to experience sport as a way of building confidence, teamwork, friendships and positive daily habits.

In response to frequent requests from the local communities, every participating student also received a new reusable bottle and tote bag. The practical gifts reinforce the wider Fehikuramaa message of making positive choices that can continue beyond the festival and into everyday life.

“Fehikuramaa has always been about more than a single programme or a single year. For six consecutive years, we have had the privilege of working alongside the communities of Noonu Atoll and learning from their needs, ideas and aspirations. What began with a focus on waste management and environmental awareness has grown into a broader commitment to wellbeing, education, sustainability and community development”, said Mohamed Mausoom, General Manager of Velaa Private Island.

“This year, we wanted to bring people together through something positive, active and enjoyable. Sport provides a wonderful platform for building confidence, encouraging healthy habits and strengthening community connections. Seeing more than 3,000 students take part across all 13 inhabited islands has been a particularly meaningful chapter in the Fehikuramaa journey.”

A Long-Term Commitment to Noonu Atoll

Fehikuramaa embodies Velaa Private Island’s core belief that true community engagement requires long-term dedication. By intentionally avoiding a rigid, one-size-fits-all format, the initiative continuously adapts to reflect the evolving needs and interests of the local populations it serves.

The programme regularly unites schools, local councils, community organisations, industry experts, and residents, delivering hands-on knowledge alongside practical, physical support. This collaborative model underscores the deep, enduring bond between Velaa Private Island and the neighbouring island communities of Noonu Atoll.

This underlying philosophy is embedded right in the initiative’s name. Derived from Dhivehi, “Fehikuramaa” loosely translates to “Let’s make the environment greener”—a title originally selected to highlight its foundational eco-centric goals. Over the course of six years, however, that concept has expanded to encompass a much broader mission: fostering resilient, healthy, and self-sustaining communities. As highlighted back in 2023, the initiative has transformed from a strictly waste-focused project into a fully holistic outreach movement.

Looking Ahead

“As Fehikuramaa enters its seventh year, Velaa Private Island remains committed to continuing the journey together with the communities of Noonu Atoll”, the resort wrote in their press statement. 

The programme will keep expanding and adapting to meet local needs, building on its six-year foundation to discover fresh ways to advance education, health, sustainability, and community progress across the region. For Velaa, Fehikuramaa is far more than an annual event; it is an enduring, long-term commitment that thrives on active listening, collaboration, and shared local involvement.

About Fehikuramaa

In Dhivehi, “Fehikuramaa” translates to “Let’s make the environment greener.” Introduced by Velaa Private Island in 2021, the initiative was created as a lasting CSR effort dedicated to driving sustainable progress across Noonu Atoll’s communities.

Starting with a focus on waste-management awareness and environmental education, Fehikuramaa has since broadened its scope to cover a diverse array of community projects, including sports, nutrition, education, water safety, general wellness, and eco-sustainability.

Designed in direct dialogue with local residents, the programme is carried out alongside island councils, schools, and civic groups to ensure tangible, enduring benefits for the population of Noonu Atoll.

About Velaa Private Island

Set within the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, Velaa Private Island redefines exclusivity through world-class amenities and service that transcend standard luxury resort expectations.

The property was envisioned by award-winning Czech architect Petr Kolar as a sophisticated blend of Maldivian heritage and modern luxury, subtle with local nuances.

Velaa—which translates to “Turtle” in Dhivehi—was born from a vision to build an ultra-exclusive boutique sanctuary. The name honours generations of sea turtles that nest and hatch on its shores. From above, the island’s aerial profile mirrors a turtle: the main landmass forms the body, while the overwater villas are arranged to resemble the head.

The hideaway features 47 private villas, houses, and grand residences. Among the 18 perched over the ocean, the ultra-private Romantic Pool Residence stands apart, accessible exclusively by boat for total seclusion.