Former American felon helping lives in Fiji
Dream Machine Foundation has treated more than 33,000
Aformer American felon who turned over a new leaf is working to help save lives in Fiji. Stephen Arrington is the Founder and President of The Dream Ma- chine Foundation. A non-profit Christian Foundation working to provide health education and water filtration systems to Fiji. Mr Arrington explained he fell in love with Fiji more than two decades ago, and for the past 17 years he’s been working to make a difference.
In February, Fiji was hit with a category five cyclone, Cyclone Winston. It is the largest cyclone to ever make landfall over Fiji, taking at least 44 lives. “We need a lot of help right now because the villages have been devastated,” said Mr Arrington.
Fijians need fresh water, food and medical attention. While tending to the Fijians immediate needs, Mr Arrington and volunteers also work year-round to improve the lives of villagers. “Tens of thousands are homeless,” said Mr Arrington.
“Our sand water filtration systems and our clinics are working right now, they are saving lives.” Fiji can bounce back, just like Mr Arrington once did. Mr Arrington was a respected Navy Frogman who started using marijuana, and was eventually honorably discharged. After that, Mr Arrington got involved with transporting cocaine. He landed behind bars after getting caught smuggling cocaine that was intended for John DeLorean. DeLorean, a leading automaker, was caught in an FBI drug sting but later found not guilty.
“In prison I realised that the fault was my own,” explained Mr Arrington. “I decided to turn my life around and focus of only doing good for the rest of my life.” And he did. In the last 17 years, the Dream Machine Foundation has saved lives and treated more than 33,000 Fijians for free. The foundation works solely off of donations. The foundation has also inspired other organisations to begin humanitarian work in the area, such as The Mission at Natuvu Creek.