In this edition’s cover story, we feature an exclusive interview with Mr. Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem, Vice President of the Atmosphere Foundation, Maldives. Now at its helm, Mr. Azeez champions impactful social, economic, and environmental initiatives across the Maldives. Discover his inspiring journey, the Foundation’s transformative projects, and his perspectives on driving sustainable community development.
Can you share the story behind your journey into the hospitality industry and what initially sparked your passion for it?
I joined the hospitality industry in 1978, alongside some of my colleagues, when we recognized the immense potential of tourism in the Maldives. At that time, the Maldives was still an emerging destination, and the concept of hospitality here was in its infancy. We saw a unique opportunity not just to build a business, but to create meaningful experiences that highlighted the natural beauty of our islands and the warmth of our culture.
What inspired the creation of the Atmosphere Foundation, and how has its mission evolved over time?
Over the years, businesses have continued to provide small, ad hoc grants to local organizations and communities as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR). However, these contributions are often not objectively assessed or monitored to ensure they reach the most deserving beneficiaries.
Atmosphere Foundation was founded as a non-profit, non-governmental organization by the Co-founders of Atmosphere Core, with the purpose of enabling a brighter future for communities in the Maldives. The idea was to promote and assist existing charities and voluntary services, delivering civic engagement and community development, and sponsoring and organizing education and training.
Our approach to CSR has evolved significantly. We moved away from one-off donations to a more structured framework that prioritizes measurable objectives and tangible outcomes, specifically targeting the most vulnerable in society. The purpose was to create meaningful impact over a longer period of time and enable the community itself to become more self-sufficient.
Our mission is to mobilize funds and invest in meaningful social, economic, and environmental initiatives that are impactful and measurable. This approach stems from our core belief in the "Joy of Giving," a value that is at the heart of all Atmosphere ventures. By adopting a systematic and organized methodology, we ensure our CSR efforts create lasting, positive changes in the communities we serve.
What do you see as the most pressing challenges for community development in the Maldives, and how is the Atmosphere Foundation actively addressing these issues?
The biggest challenge we face is ensuring sustainability of community development initiatives. When we invest time, funds, and resources in a community project, our goal is to create meaningful, lasting change. We typically partner with local partners to implement time-bound projects, with the understanding that local organizations and the community will take ownership and sustain the benefits beyond the project period. When we provide infrastructure or equipment, we encourage our implementing partners to take responsibility for its upkeep after a certain period, to ensure that such benefits are accrued to the community in the long term.
Similarly, with training, we hope it equips individuals with skills that lead to better educational or economic opportunities. However, we often observe challenges such as participants leaving midway through the program or failing to apply the skills they’ve learned. Additionally, many local communities lack an enabling environment to support the practical use of skills—such as the infrastructure needed to produce goods or offer services and access to markets.
Another significant challenge is the migration to the Greater Malé area. This trend affects the sustainability of local ventures, as the declining population in island communities makes investments less feasible and impactful, and creates a disconnect between the resources provided and their long-term viability.
To address these challenges, we emphasize the importance of planning sustainability into every project and actively engage with our partners to ensure they commit to taking ownership. While it’s not always easy, we strive to balance our support with efforts to empower communities to sustain the benefits of our initiatives on their own.
Could you highlight some of the foundation's key achievements or projects that have made a significant impact on local communities and the environment?
In just three years from our inception, we have successfully invested in 18 impactful projects from education and community welfare to environmental conservation.
Our first project was establishing Kakkaa Vathi, a state-of-the-art training kitchen at Imaduddin School in Malé. Students with diverse learning abilities follow a certified culinary curriculum. So far, 44 students have gained skills, and two graduates are pursuing higher education at the Maldives National University, fully sponsored by us.
We refurbished the study room at the Children’s Center in Fuvahmulah City by providing new furniture, computer systems, and educational materials.
In partnership with local NGO The Reading Room, 1,500 teachers and 1,330 parents trained in early literacy teaching methods. This initiative also supported interactive workshops for 5,000 students across the Maldives, promoting reading and writing skills.
Collaborating with Aged Care Maldives, we reached 614 senior citizens across four atolls through health screenings, medical check-ups, caregiver workshops, home visits, and an eye camp.
With the Alzheimer’s Society of Maldives, we organized dementia awareness and screening sessions in major population hubs. This project trained 75 screeners and screened 747 individuals for dementia.
We supported ARC (Advocating the Rights of Children) to assess 91 children in Faafu Atoll for speech and hearing impairments and conducted a workshop for 45 teachers to improve articulation in speech.
In Haa Dhaalu Vaikaradhoo and Shaviyani Goidhoo, we trained 29 women in soft toy-making skills. For Vaikaradhoo, we are working with the women and local authorities to establish a mechanism to sell their products to resorts or other buyers.
In Fuvahmulah City, we provided training in carpentry, pastry and bakery, housekeeping, and computer programming for 25 participants, of whom 11 passed competency assessments, enhancing their job prospects.
Our flagship Bamboo for Climate Change Mitigation project focuses on planting bamboo for environmental and economic benefits. We have collaborated with local authorities and NGOs and planted over 4,000 bamboo trees in 30 locations across the Maldives, and contributed 500 saplings to the government’s Rahfehi program, which promotes environmental restoration and resilience-building.
We supported Olive Ridley Project Maldives in hosting the Vaavoshi Festival to raise awareness about marine ecosystems.
For World Environment Day in Vaikaradhoo, we organized community events, including workshops on bamboo crafts, environmental awareness, composting, and photography. Activities also included essay writing, drawing, and bamboo craft competitions. We assisted the island council in monitoring the reef and mangrove areas and supported the establishment of the Vaikaradhoo Bamboo Park, which is now a community hub.
Through these initiatives, we aim to create meaningful impact by empowering communities, enhancing livelihoods, and contributing to environmental sustainability. Our commitment to measurable outcomes and long-term benefits ensures that every project we undertake aligns with our mission to create a better future for the Maldives.
What are the main goals of the Bamboo for Climate Change Mitigation project, and how has it helped the environment and communities?
The Bamboo for Climate Change Mitigation project was launched to contribute to climate change mitigation efforts in the Maldives, aligning with the Government’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement. This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting sustainable, nature-based solutions to tackle environmental challenges.
Bamboo, a fast-growing grass, is renowned for its versatility and ecological benefits. One of its most notable characteristics is its ability to act as an efficient carbon sink. A mature bamboo grove produces 30–35% more oxygen than an equivalent forest area. To generate this oxygen, bamboo absorbs significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing the carbon in its biomass. This exceptional capacity for carbon sequestration makes bamboo a natural and effective solution for mitigating carbon emissions.
To maximize the impact of this initiative, we invited Dr Barathi a leading bamboo scientist from India, to share expertise with government officials, businesses, civil society, and the media during the project’s inauguration. We are also in discussions with the MNU to conduct research on bamboo growth and carbon sequestration in Maldivian conditions. This research will provide valuable insights into bamboo’s long-term contributions to mitigating climate change and supporting sustainable development.
In addition to its role in climate mitigation, bamboo offers diverse practical applications like durable furniture, utensils, and other everyday products, an eco-friendly alternative for construction purposes in sustainable housing and as natural windshields, protecting vulnerable areas from erosion and wind damage.
The groves we planted are now a year old, and most are thriving. While it will take some months to fully measure their impact, the early results are promising. We have already seen signs of their potential to improve the local environment.
Our vision for the bamboo project is not only to contribute to environmental conservation but also to create opportunities for economic growth in the Maldives. By promoting bamboo cultivation and its varied applications, we aim to help communities adopt sustainable practices that align with global efforts to combat climate change.
Can you enlighten us on how healthy aging programs support the needs of Maldivian communities?
Health is a primary concern for the elderly, and early detection of ailments can significantly improve their quality of life. Aging often comes with physical, emotional, and social challenges, and our goal is to address these issues holistically through targeted interventions. Our approach goes beyond immediate assistance to focus on sustainable solutions.
By partnering with organizations such as Aged Care Maldives, we have facilitated programs that include caregiver workshops, home visits, and community-based support, ensuring that elderly individuals receive the attention, compassion, and assistance they need in their daily lives.
By training caregivers, whether family members or professionals, we equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality care. This includes understanding the physical, emotional, and mental needs of older adults and techniques for handling common age-related conditions with sensitivity and respect.
These initiatives not only address immediate health needs through proper referrals for timely treatment but also create awareness among communities. Elderly people are among the most vulnerable groups in our society, and we firmly believe they deserve all the support we can provide to help them live healthier lives.
How does the Atmosphere Foundation collaborate with local and international partners to drive meaningful change?
All our projects are implemented in close partnership with local stakeholders. This ensures that our initiatives are deeply rooted in the needs and aspirations of the communities we aim to support. Collaboration is a cornerstone of our methodology, as it allows us to draw on the expertise, insights, and commitment of local organizations to create impactful and sustainable outcomes.
We have built strong partnerships with local entities, including schools, colleges, island councils, women’s development committees, and local NGOs. Each partner brings unique strengths to the table, enabling us to address community challenges comprehensively. Schools and colleges play a critical role in skill development and educational projects, while women’s development committees and NGOs provide invaluable insight into social and economic issues specific to their regions.
How can individuals or local communities get involved with the Atmosphere Foundation's projects and contribute to its mission?
We are always open to initiatives that contribute to meaningful socio-economic and environmental change. Our mission is to support projects that create positive, lasting change in local communities, and we believe that collaboration with those on the ground is key to achieving this.
Local communities and individuals are encouraged to approach us with project concepts that align with our goals. We value grassroots perspectives and understand that those living in the communities often have the best understanding of the challenges they face and the opportunities for meaningful interventions. Whether it’s an idea for enhancing education, empowering women, improving healthcare, or promoting environmental sustainability, we are eager to explore ideas that can make a difference.
What are the Foundation's future plans, particularly in terms of growth, new initiatives, or expanding its impact?
We are committed to launching projects and ensuring their long-term viability and impact. It is essential that the benefits of these projects extend beyond immediate intervention and continue to make a difference in the community over time and support projects until we are confident that their benefits can be sustained without external assistance.
Our approach to new projects remains consistent: we look for initiatives that address the most pressing needs in the community while ensuring the projects are designed for sustainability. Whether it’s supporting educational programs, fostering economic opportunities for marginalized groups, or addressing urgent environmental challenges, we are committed to contributing to the Maldives' overall development.
Ultimately, our focus is on creating projects that will stand the test of time. We will continue to offer support where needed, ensure the benefits are maintained, and work with local partners to build sustainable systems. By doing so, we can ensure that our initiatives not only provide short-term relief but also lay the foundation for long-term positive change across the Maldives.
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