Dr. Elli Returns to Fiji

A refreshing return reinforces her belief that the annual visits from Loloma Foundation’s visits are truly making a difference.

The Loloma Foundation has been organizing these trips for the past 11 years and we are seeing the results of their efforts serving the healthcare needs for the Islands of Fiji. While The Islands are rich in beauty, they are poor in their availability of local healthcare. The Islands’ lack of basic medical and dental needs are supplemented with the work of The Loloma Founda- tion’s missionary trips that offer the services of groups of doctors on annual visits. Dr. Elli Abtahi, who practices locally here in Laguna Beach, said “We had a different team this year with new dentists joining us to serve the islands and handle the dental needs. We revisited a school and the kids actually remembered me from last year. It was such a heartwarming experience that they really look forward to our care.”

The team travels each day in a small boat for transportation from island to island where they were greeted by lines of local villagers, many of whom walked miles and miles to bring their family members for treatment. After hours of working in less than decent conditions, Dr. Elli and the others would board their tiny boats and head back to the hotel to rejuvenate and refl ct on the day’s events.

Dr. Elli said, “Our team worked for 11 straight days, 7 to 5:30 non-stop offering from basic cleanings to extractions with our medical ser- vices to the locals. But there was a light at the end of the tunnel at the end of each day when we returned in the evening

to stay at the Navutu Stars Resort.” The owner generously offers their 11 bungalows, shutting down the resort for the use of the Loloma Foundations team and offer- ing the services of their staff. Dr. Elli couldn’t say enough about the accommodations and the incredible staff of the resort for making their trip so enjoyable. If you go to Fiji she asks that you please consider Navutu Stars Resort and give them credit for the donation to a great cause. www. navutustarsfiji.com

Dr. Elli’s goal next year is to try joining the surgery team as their general dentist. “I learned of this opportunity to join the surgery team as a referral from one of my patients, so I want to try that program next year. There are actually some local doctors I will be joining.”

For more information and about fundraising opportunities to support the work of Loloma Foundation visit www.lolomafoundation.org