The island of N. Magoodhoo has marked the successful completion of the ‘Budu Fothi’ program – an initiate aimed at reducing diaper waste and promoting sustainable parenting practices – with participants reporting that they saved over MVR 1,000 on diapers each month.
The ‘Budu Fothi’ program was collaboratively led by Soneva Namoona, Magoodhoo Council, the Magoodhoo Women’s Development Committee, and the Magoodhoo Health Center.
The four-month trial, which ran from August to December, provided 33 children from 31 families in Magoodhoo with a cloth diaper kit, educational resources on their usage, and access to a community support group.
The initiative sought to evaluate the economic, environmental, and social benefits of cloth diapers while encouraging behavior change within the community.
On January 31, families, stakeholders and local leaders gathered in Magoodhoo to acknowledge the program’s impact and recognize outstanding participants.
'Budu Fothi' program launches in N. Magoodhoo on July 29, 2024. (Photo/Soneva Namoona)
The event featured an official ceremony, stalls with educational and sustainability-themed activities, and opportunities for families to share their experiences.
Key achievements of the ‘Budu Fothi’ program:
60 percent of the participating children adopted the use of cloth diapers, with most families using them alongside disposables.
Four parents fully transitioned to cloth diapers during the trial, including one parent who had already adopted cloth diapers prior to the program.
Parents reported significant financial savings and noted that cloth diapers contributed to faster potty training for their children.
Over 80 percent of participating parents stated they would recommend cloth diapers to other families.
Four S Traders, a local retail shop in Magoodhoo, has now been established as an official agent for cloth diapers, ensuring continued access to sustainable diaperoptions in the community.
'Budu Fothi' program launches in N. Magoodhoo on July 29, 2024. (Photo/Soneva Namoona)
Reena Mohamedfulhu, a mother who participated in the ‘Budu Fothi’ program, said she had initially been hesitant about switching to cloth diapers.
"At first, I was hesitant about switching to cloth nappies—I worried whether they would be comfortable for my baby. But to my surprise, my baby didn’t seem to mind the difference at all. In fact, using cloth nappies helped speed up the potty-training process, which was an unexpected benefit,” she said.
Reena also reported significant savings of diapers.
“And the savings have been significant—since making the switch, we’ve saved over MVR 1,000 every month. I’m really glad we joined this program, and I would definitely recommend cloth nappies to other parents,” she said.
Reflecting on the program, Maajidha Hassan, president of the Magoodhoo Women’s Development Committee, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative.
'Budu Fothi' program launches in N. Magoodhoo on July 29, 2024. (Photo/Soneva Namoona)
"Budu Fothi has demonstrated that small changes can lead to significant benefits for families and the environment. By reducing waste and offering a healthier alternative, this program has empowered parents to make sustainable choices for their children’s future,” she said.
Khadeeja Hamid, Reduce Manager of Soneva Namoona, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in driving systemic change.
"The success of this trial provides valuable data to inform future advocacy and policy efforts. Our hope is that this initiative serves as both a model and a catalyst for other communities, encouraging the wider adoption of reusable alternatives,” she said.
According to Soneva Namoona, the insights gathered from the ‘Budu Fothi’ trial will be used to advocate for policy recommendations, further community outreach, and educational campaigns to promote sustainable diapering solutions across the Maldives.