With the lock down continuing across the island of Roatán and cases of Coronavirus rising, we’ve seen leaders step up and promote the well being of their island communities. We spoke with Ms. Roya Simmone Woods, president of the Flowers Bay Patronato, to find out how her community is staying strong.
How has Covid-19 affected the Flowers Bay community?
Since Covid arrived, our community has been affected drastically. For many families, their only source of income was tourism. Coronavirus and the shut down has left a lot of people without jobs, and most of them are single mothers. We also have couples and larger families that have been affected as well, mostly because both have lost their jobs. I honestly pray this pandemic pass over soon, so that the people can go back to their jobs and provide for their families.
What is the role of the Patronato during this challenging time?
It’s so difficult to explain our current situation. We work hard to help our community by informing them of any help that is being offered by NGO’s here on the island. The hardest challenge we encounter on a day to day basis is the lack of “order” in the community when there is a distribution. When it comes to helping our community, we want to give our best to them.
How have you seen people come together during this time?
Some community members have come together. However, the community lacks unity in some ways due to the insecurity during this time. As Patronato, we have a group of strong leaders trying their best to reach out to everyone. Because our community’s source of income is tourism, we highly encourage our people to work alongside each other, organizations and institutions. Then we can all come together as a strong community during this time.
Who or what groups have been especially helpful or inspiring, and in what ways?
The community has had the support of many individuals, and organizations including The Abundant Life Foundation, The Grand Roatan Resort, Sol Foundation, Banana Rama, Church of God Universal, and The Baptist and Methodist churches from our community. We have also received help from the municipality of Roatán, as well as aldermens such as Ms. Nidia Webster and Corby Warren. Most of these groups have helped with providing food through distributions. The community also has a fundraising group that has been working together before the pandemic. Most recently, this group has committed to helping a member of the community who is suffering from cancer.
What makes Flowers Bay a resilient community?
Our community is resilient because regardless of the many challenges, we are willing to get up and stand for each other. Flowers Bay is a God believing community. We know He is at our side. As Patronato, we will not give up; we will continue doing what is right as long as the opportunity is there and overcome together.
Despite of the challenges islanders are undergoing due to the lock down we are inspired by the leaders like Ms. Roya who lead through hardship. Everyone must do their part together to keep the island of Roatán safe and healthy through an unpredictable time.
You can contribute to ALF’s initiatives that support Flowers Bay and other communities: the Food Distribution initiative with the Grand Roatan, or ALF’s Covid-19 General Assistance Fund, which has partially been allocated to providing necessities to mothers in Flowers Bay.