MARTA Tooma was raised by medical missionary parents who dedicated their lives to serving underprivileged communities in the lush Amazon rainforest. Throughout her childhood, she witnessed the grim realities in regions afflicted by disease and insufficient healthcare services. Additionally, she embraced the fulfillment of aiding those in need, cherished the natural world, learned from various cultures, and became a healer for the less fortunate.
Today, Dr. Tooma is the co-founder and dental director of The Mission at Natuvu Creek, a clinic located in a stunning forest-to-sea estate at Buca Bay, Cakaudrove, dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of her parents, inspired by her children. A dentist, Dr. Tooma has been visiting Fiji since 1997 and recently recounted her transformative journey and aspirations for the future.
Reflecting on her past, she shared, “I have two children who were growing up in a large city in California, surrounded by luxury and privilege, which concerned me about their future. They were good kids, and I prayed for an opportunity to help preserve their innocence.” Her prayers were answered when she received an unexpected call to volunteer in Fiji, over 5,000 miles away, which changed her life significantly.
Determined to make the trip, she packed her children, her sister, who is a nurse, and her niece, embarking on the uncertain journey to the Pacific Islands. Dr. Tooma vividly remembers her arrival at Savusavu Airport on a rainy day, where even the pilot walked barefoot to avoid muddy shoes. However, upon disembarking, she realized that no one had come to collect them, which left her feeling anxious about having brought her children to an unfamiliar place.
Determined, she found a taxi driver and managed to secure a ride to Vatuvonu (Buca Bay), navigating along a bumpy, unpaved road that caused their luggage to tumble.
The initial mission in Vatuvonu, under the Dream Machine Foundation, was rudimentary and chaotic. The dental equipment promised to her had not arrived, prompting Dr. Tooma to return equipped with necessary tools for a successful operation. Her vision was beginning to take shape as she stated, “There was nothing. I had to create something from that nothing.”
On her subsequent trip, she arrived with portable dental equipment capable of connecting to diving tanks for air pressure and drilling. Despite this, the volunteers continued to work out of a school classroom. Her children joined her on these trips, assisting with sterilizing instruments while enduring bouts of illness from contaminated food.
After overcoming numerous challenges, Dr. Tooma and her husband, Dr. Thomas Tooma, an experienced eye surgeon and the mission’s ophthalmology director, purchased 750 acres of scenic land at Buca Bay, establishing The Mission at Natuvu Creek in 2006.
Dr. Tooma committed herself to serving the people of Fiji wholeheartedly. One poignant experience that marked her dedication occurred when her luggage was lost during an early visit, leaving her without clothes. In a gesture that touched her deeply, local villagers brought her their finest clothing, reflecting the generosity and love of Fijians. This act taught her a profound lesson about service, leading her to use her skills in dentistry to better the lives of Fijians.
Today, the facility at The Mission at Natuvu Creek boasts equipment that rivals the best clinics in the United States. Each year, up to 20 volunteer missions take place at the clinic, where leading doctors offer a variety of medical services. Dr. Tooma believes that providing dental care is a crucial gift for the people of Fiji, emphasizing that her experiences have imparted invaluable lessons about community and compassion.
The clinic has transformed countless lives, providing care to over 10,000 local patients annually through an array of free medical and surgical services. Dr. Tooma describes the mission as not just a healthcare facility, but also as one rooted in spiritual healing.
Having traveled to Fiji multiple times each year, her recent visit marked her first since the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, hundreds gathered at the mission to access complimentary eye care services, with a dental clinic scheduled to run until September 13.
“Natuvu Mission on the Creek is not a resort for entertainment; it offers a healthy experience intertwined with unique cultural interactions,” Dr. Tooma stated. She highlights the special nature of the Fijian community, emphasizing how residents care for one another and embody a spirit of peacekeeping.
Additionally, the mission hosts students from Pepperdine University in California each year, contributing to its volunteer efforts. Self-funded by the Tooma Family Foundation, the mission strives to provide healthcare and a transformative experience for all who participate, whether as patients or volunteers, in the hope they return home with peace in their hearts and a sense of purpose.