Time zone MST (UTC+05:00) | Distance to Malé 140 km (87 mi) | |
 | ||
Kendhoo (Dhivehi: ކެންދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of Baa Atoll, Maldives. It is located in the northern part of the Baa Atoll.
Contents
Map of Kendhoo, Maldives
Culture
Traditionally, fishery and thatch making is the main occupation and major livelihood of the people of Kendhoo. A significant number of the island’s youths work in resorts. In addition to this, there are people who do construction work and retail business.
History
Kendhoo is famous for its historical and cultural significance. It is said that the island was visited by the Arabian scholar, Abdul Barakaath Yoosuf-al Barbari, also known as Thabreyzgefaanu, who is believed to have been responsible for introducing Islam to the Maldives in 1153. While he stayed on the island, he taught Islamic rituals to the islanders and offered daily prayers there. The place where he stood to offer the prayers was marked by building the house named after him.
Education
The island has a higher secondary school which teaches up to grade 12. In the school most of the teachers are local teachers. In addition, the island has a pre-school which is run by Kendhoo Zuvaanunge Gulhun.
Health facilities
There is a Health Centre on the island which opens for eight hours a day. Currently the centre has an expatriate doctor for general consultations. The Health centre has also laboratory that investigate the diseases. The island has also a pharmacy run by a private party. In addition Kendhoo is very famous for traditional herbal medicine, people from different parts of the country and even from other countries visit for treatments.
Electricity
Kendhoo has electricity for 24 hours generated from a powerhouse with three generators. Recently an expansion project of the electricity service in the island was completed by installing a new generator set and replacing the panel board and the entire cable network installed in the island. The project was funded with RF1 million loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank.
Harbour
The island has a harbour of 76 m by 46 m. The harbour was badly damaged after the tsunami in 2004. Transport is by cargo ferries and launch.
Issues
The main issue facing the island is lack of a sewerage system. The residents of the island have raised this issue to the concerned authorities on several occasions. But as of today their concern has not been addressed by the government.