Marta Tooma was raised by medical missionary parents who provided care to underprivileged communities in the biodiverse Amazon jungle. From an early age, she witnessed the challenges faced by countries suffering from diseases and poor healthcare systems. She also came to appreciate the value of serving those in need and embraced the magnificence of nature and diverse cultures.
Currently, Tooma serves as the co-founder and dental director of The Mission at Natuvu Creek, a clinic located in a forested area of Buca Bay, Cakaudrove. This establishment was created in honor of her parents’ contributions and was inspired by her desire to provide a better life for her children. A professional dentist, Dr. Tooma has been visiting Fiji since 1997 and recently shared her inspiring journey and future aspirations.
Reflecting on her past, Dr. Tooma expressed concerns about raising her children in a privileged California city, surrounded by material luxuries. She sought to preserve their innocence and prayed for the chance to guide them towards a different experience. Her prayers were answered with a call for volunteer work in Fiji, prompting her to embark on a life-altering journey.
Upon her arrival in Fiji in 1997, Dr. Tooma experienced a challenging start when no one was there to pick them up from the airport. Despite the difficulties, she pushed through and made her way to Buca Bay. The clinic she helped establish faced significant obstacles, including the absence of promised equipment, which led her to realize the necessity of being fully equipped for dental care.
Determined to create something meaningful, Dr. Tooma returned with all the needed dental supplies, including portable equipment powered by diving tanks. Her children assisted in medical projects, even working through their own health challenges. After overcoming numerous hurdles, Dr. Tooma and her husband acquired land in Buca Bay and set up The Mission at Natuvu Creek in 2006.
Dr. Tooma is dedicated to providing healthcare to the Fijian community and was profoundly influenced by a transformative experience when locals offered her their best clothes after she lost her luggage. This lesson motivated her to give her best in dental care, which she now considers a gift to Fiji. The mission includes high-quality equipment akin to that found in U.S. clinics.
Every year, the clinic hosts multiple volunteer missions from doctors worldwide, offering a wide range of medical services to locals. Dr. Tooma aims to address not just physical health but also spiritual healing, turning the mission into more than just a healthcare facility.
Recently, hundreds gathered at the mission for a free eye clinic, and a dental clinic is currently underway, offering services until September 13. Dr. Tooma emphasizes that The Mission at Natuvu Creek is a place for healthy vacations and meaningful cultural experiences, where volunteers can witness the Fijian spirit of community and peace.
The mission also welcomes students from Pepperdine University, who volunteer annually. Funded through the Tooma Family Foundation, Dr. Tooma envisions providing ongoing health and medical care while ensuring that both patients and volunteers find real healing and peace during their time there.