Marta Tooma grew up in a family of medical missionaries who devoted their lives to serving underprivileged populations in the biodiverse Amazon. This upbringing allowed her to witness, early on, the stark challenges faced by countries dealing with diseases and inadequate healthcare systems. She also experienced the joy of helping those in need, the beauty of nature, and the richness of various cultures.
Currently, Marta serves as the co-founder and dental director of The Mission at Natuvu Creek, a clinic located in Buca Bay, Cakaudrove, established to honor her parents’ sacrifices and inspired by her children. A dentist by profession, she has been visiting Fiji since 1997. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, she reflected on her transformative journey and aspirations for the future.
Marta recalled her concern for her children, who were growing up in a privileged California city, surrounded by luxury and materialism. Wanting to preserve their innocence, she prayed for an opportunity to help them connect with a different reality. Her prayers were answered when she received an unexpected call to volunteer in Fiji, leading her on an unforgettable journey.
She brought her children, along with her sister, a nurse, to Fiji. Upon landing in Savusavu on a rainy day, they faced immediate logistical challenges, including a lack of transportation. As they navigated the bumpy roads to their destination, Marta felt a wave of anxiety about her decision to bring her family to such an unfamiliar place.
The initial visit to the mission revealed a significant lack of organization and resources, compelling her to return better equipped. She recognized that effective dental care required proper tools and staff, prompting her vision for a more capable setup. On her subsequent trip, she arrived with portable dental equipment and a dedicated team, continuing to build on the limited facilities available.
Marta’s children played an active role, assisting with sterilization and facing health challenges of their own while adapting to the environment. These experiences spurred her and her husband, Dr. Thomas Tooma, an eye surgeon and the mission’s ophthalmology director, to purchase 750 acres of land in Buca Bay to establish a full-fledged medical facility, which opened in 2006.
Her commitment to serving the Fijian community was magnified by a pivotal moment when she lost her luggage during a visit, leading village members to generously offer her their best clothing, despite her previous donations of worn items. This experience taught her a profound lesson about generosity and service, driving her to provide the highest quality dental care to the Fijians.
Today, The Mission at Natuvu Creek features state-of-the-art equipment, comparable to leading clinics in the U.S., and hosts numerous volunteer medical missions each year. Dr. Marta emphasized that the clinic’s aim is not only to provide physical healthcare but also to contribute to spiritual healing.
In her recent visit, the clinic experienced high turnout for free eye and dental services, reaffirming its role in the community. The facility offers a holistic approach to health, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility among volunteers and locals.
The mission also collaborates with students from Pepperdine University, who come annually to volunteer, and operates through funding from the Tooma Family Foundation. Dr. Marta’s vision is to continue offering superior healthcare to Fijians while ensuring that everyone involved—the patients and the volunteers—experiences transformative healing, leaving with peace of mind and heart.