About 50 Jungle Bay Resort and Spa employees gathered at the Fort Young Hotel this morning to discuss the closure of the hotel and their future.
The award winning hotel which was located at Pointe Mulatre, Delices, near Petite Savanne, was recently devastated by mudslides cause by Tropical Storm Erika.
A press release issued by hotel management said some Jungle bay staff members who were particularly hard hit were provided with small grants to enable them to purchase clothing and other basic supplies. A number of commodities ranging from dried and canned foods to disposable diapers were distributed among the staff.
Owner of Jungle Bay Samuel Raphael discussed a number of topics with the employees, including severance packages and assistance for them to find other jobs.
“I am not in a position to discuss future plans at this time but I would like to find a way to bring our Jungle Bay family together again,” he said.
Raphael expressed gratitude to the employees for their dedication and loyalty over the past 10 years and more.
“Jungle Bay is not the structures that were destroyed by the mudslides, you are Jungle Bay,” he told them.
He added, “Some of you here today started the journey with me with a cutlass on August 20, 2000. It is painful to let go but we have to accept the situation and look forward.”
Raphael promised to do everything he could to support the former employees during the difficult days ahead. He also expressed condolences to the members of staff who lost relatives as a result of the natural disaster.
“Some of you lost your parents, your homes and now your jobs. Notwithstanding the grief and sadness you feel, especially so many of you from Petite Savanne, who had to be uprooted from your beautiful, vibrant community. We cannot look back. We must be grateful that we are still alive and we must embrace hope and not despair.”
Several members of staff tearfully expressed their gratitude for having had the opportunity to work at Jungle Bay, the release stated.
It quoted Food and Beverage Manager Joanne Hiliare as saying, “Jungle Bay made me who I am today and now I feel like I am losing my family, my Jungle Bay family.” Justinian Detouche read a poem he penned for the occasion that glorified his time at Jungle Bay. Other employees said they will miss the camaraderie and team spirit at Jungle Bay.
The meeting got underway with an invocation by Msgr Eustace Thomas who urged the participants to remain hopeful even in despair.
Jungle Bay has often been ranked as one of the world’s leading ecotourism resorts. Over 60 persons worked at the resort while 40 farmers relies on purchases from the resort for their livelihood.
“The loss of this property will have a significant impact on the economy of the southeast of Dominica,” he said.
He has a heart of gold. The more you give, the more you will receive.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “Give and it shall be given unto you.”
You have the godly spirit and of appreciation for your dedicated staff.
I expect, in time the government will assist them but for now they are in dire need of help.
God bless you for your compassion, consideration and generosity. Considering what occurred to your business, you are a strong person.
I hope sometime you rebuild your business elsewhere in D/ca. There are many places in D/ca which could be suitable. However, I realize there will be no place as the first one, Jungle Bay, a name which everyone will remember. Hope you look into the possibility of building elsewhere in Dominica.
May God inspire you and guide you accordingly. Good luck to your future endeavors.
Dear Sam, remember the begining of that story, when the site was just a jungle, and you, Nancy and your staff move stones, cut bush, and you all give us a diamond in the caribean resorts parc…God is great and I know you all will put hands on the deck to welcome us soon again in a rebuilded resort. YES WE CAN
Sam, you lead the way for many others, at home and abroad, to follow and had a wonderful and dedicated team. Special mention to Nancy who work her heart out for jungle bay. My condolences for Jungle Bay.
May god help my people. Dominica will rise again. I am praying.
Sam, you’re a class act.
Sam, you are the a fine example of a humanitarian and businessman. I do hope you will have a future project in Dominica. We need more people like you and your wonderful staff.
I have fond memories of Jungle Bay.
Bless.
I have enjoyed your property and services during its existence and honestly Sam I can testify that you are a very generous and forward thinking man.
Very kind of you and management to support your staff bearing in mind of the significant lost that you have suffered, you have just open the gate to future blessings . Thank you Sam & Family
I sense a family spirit in this. Excellent move here! Best wishes to all.
I know mr sam raphal has always had a genuine heart. God be with all of u.
I Love this. You really cared about your staff. Blessings to Mr. Rahael. Do not worry God will give you a location to set up again, there is hope and faith.
Sam, Bless you……I have been to Jungle Bay many times and have always been pleased with the charm and professsionalism of your service.
Good luck to you and all your staff and family
This really brought tears to my eyes. thank you Mr. Raphael may the good Lord continue to bless and prosper you and your staff.
I am in tears reading this. I don’t know but somehow someway you guys will come out on top.
May the Lord continue to bless you Mr. Raphael for this kind gesture. Truly you have a humanitarian heart. This is so sad, my eyes are full of tears after reading this.
For the people of Petite Savanne I say to you Hold on, Be strong and be of good courage because the Lord is still on the throne.
He said that he’ll never leave you neither forsake you. Keep hope alive, continue in faith knowing that inspite of everything GOD is still in control and that he said he’ll supply All your needs not some, according to his riches in glory.
Mr Raphael
You must be commended for your caring and compassion for your employees. Because of this I have no doubt and I have every confidence in you that you will find inspiration to start another business that these same employees will no doubt want to be a part of. Hats off to you and I recommend that you receive an award of honour or at the very least a meritorious award at the next independence celebrations. It is well deserved.
Just wandering whether the hotel was insured. I am hearing nothing about insurance coverage such as business interruption and loss of property. It would be good to know whether hotel was covered. It should have been given its location and likelihood of storm damage.
He was operating a private business.
Food for thought: Consider, if someone had broken into them and stole the contents or vandalized them? Do you not expect that he would have insured his business along with the contents?
This is an impertinent question. He does not have to divulge this personal matter to anyone, unauthorized people. He does not owe anyone a reply as to whether his business was insured or not.
All properties in Dominica are liable to storm damage. His was no exception. What occurred was unpredictable and unexpected, the same for every property in Dominica.
Now, if a survey was made and he was advised not to build and set up business there, this would be another matter. Obviously, no insurance company would insure his business.
I assume no one made such an observation. He thought his hotel was safe from landslides and flooding. Did someone not state that an earthquake occurred in that area or near it which caused the landslides?
“Jungle Bay is not the structures that were destroyed by the mudslides, you are Jungle Bay,” – Could not have been said better Mr. Raphael. We are all very sorry for your lost; however, very grateful for your contribution to the community and Dominica (by extension) over the years. We pray that one day you will raise again and make a even greater contribution to our country.
Thank you Mr. Raphael
From All Dominican
This so sweet, Sam has a good heart. hugs and kiss to him. Reading this brought tears to my eyes.
Dominica will rise
This was a very good idea from Sam, bringing all the workers together. I share with their plights. And wished them all the best in the future.
Sam over the 10 years your establishment contributed to the economic growth of the south east and Dominica by extension. God’s blessing for the future in what ever investment you may choose.