Hotel workers have unique way to boost morale during COVID

by Marlon Madden

Best friends Erica Arthur and Keisha Holder are hoping to be a beacon of hope for their fellow tourism and hospitality workers who have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the two Mango Bay Hotel workers were also laid off from their employment earlier this year when the island witnessed a sharp and dramatic fall in tourist arrivals as international travel halted, they simply could not stay still as worry and frustration began to set in among some.

It was with this in mind that Arthur and Holder came up with the ‘We Got This’ Barbados scavenger hunt, which was designed to help boost the morale of industry workers who had been laid off for months and were beginning to worry about their future and meeting various obligations.

It was around midnight one night in June when the country entered the curfew period, that Arthur came up with the idea, and immediately she contacted Holder and they started to fine-tune their plan.

“The reason why we came up with it … the whole tourism industry was unsure when they would be back to work,” Arthur told Barbados TODAY.

However, about two weeks before the first scavenger hunt, they had no idea where they would get sponsorship from to provide prizes, but as fate would have it, several businesses and individuals reached out to them and volunteered to help when they learned what was being planned.

The pair also received invaluable support from their parents, and they formed a partnership with one charity.

The first activity took place on July 5, about three months after most tourism industry workers were laid off. The second scavenger hunt was on August 29.

“People were depressed. I come from a family where almost my entire household works in the industry, my neighbours, and my friends. So it was about ‘let’s do something fun and meaningful’,” Arthur recalled.

They said by the time the first fun-filled scavenger hunt came around, the majority of the industry workers were concerned that the moratoria they received on their loans would end, and they were growing increasingly worried.

“So we wanted to get the industry workers out and make them feel positive about life and let them know that regardless of the circumstances at this time, we got this and we will get past it and we will be back and tourism will be booming again.

“We also wanted to help those who are less fortunate because we know each person’s situation is different. So that is how it came about really,” she explained.

Participants would contribute a $20 fee and their group received a T-shirt. Those who were able to donate would also give food items that would be placed in a hamper to assist their less fortunate colleagues.

While the duo was expecting only about 50 people to show up, they were surprised that over 120 people took part in both hunts. In fact, they said a number of the people were not even from the tourism and hospitality industry, but they too had been laid off.

Arthur, 39, said she wanted to send one message to anyone who continues to struggle during the current circumstances – “We got this. Times may be hard, the struggle is rough, but a couple months from now we can look back and thank God for the experiences.”

Admitting that while she was able to get unemployment benefits, it was still “rough”. The St George resident said what she really appreciated most was that she got to spend more time with family.

“We got to relax. I don’t know the last day I did. From the time of my work life I get vacation and that was it, but I actually got to spend quality time with my family and friends and I got to put in some extra studies and conceptualize the We Got This and we just can’t stop now. We just want to be out there helping people,” she said.

The former Springer Memorial Secondary students were both laid off for about seven months. They have been back on the job for the past three weeks as they engage in the upgrading of their skills.

Arthur said without family support and lots of prayer she suspected things would have been harder than they were. “I do know families who had a really rough time. It is mentally taxing on the brain and you just feel like ‘I cannot go anymore. Whatever happen, happen’. But that is not what we strong people do,” said Arthur.

She advised residents who were working to continue toreach out to those who continue to struggle. “It doesn’t have to be something big … it is so remarkable how many people we hear saying ‘we got this’ now. That is strength in itself. I say it often in encouraging people,” said Arthur.

Holder, 38, said for her, coping during the unemployment period was difficult and it was also her family and values that kept her going.

“There was a time, I would say probably in August coming on to September, I had a little breaking point. But I had to say to myself, ‘this is not me’. I always portray myself as a strong person no matter what, and I always think positive. So I had to shake myself out of that,” she said.

The St Thomas resident said the scavenger hunts helped her with self-confidence and self-esteem.

“So there are a lot of positive things that came out of it, and I am thankful. Some people may have regrets with this virus, but for me, I don’t because it opened my eyes to a lot. God does not take us where he doesn’t want us to go, and he doesn’t put on us more than we can bear,” said Holder.

She has some advice for those who may not be back out to work just yet. “I want to let everyone know to hang in there. We are going to be back to normalcy some time, but hang in there and don’t give up. Always remain positive and lean on your friends and family for support. We are all in this together and we got this,” said Holder.

They have another scavenger hunt planned for November 29, dubbed the Barbados Independence Edition.

ww(marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb)