pacificEyeWitness.org

pacificEyeWitness.org received a reply this week from Seabreeze owners Wendy and Chris Booth. Here’s a heartening update for our readers asking for information on the Seabreeze Resort in Samoa.

As you already know, the resort, on Upolu’s South Coast, was severely damaged by the tsunami on the morning of Tuesday 29^th September.  It is now closed until further notice. Seabreeze Resort is located in Paradise Cove in the village of Aufaga in Aleipata.

Miraculously, Seabreeze suffered no loss of life, with all its tourists and staff escaping without physical injury, unlike other tourist resorts which, tragically, did not fare so well. But it is with great sadness that they remember those who were not so fortunate.

The Booths, an Australian couple who built Seabreeze three years ago, report internet access is back on for the very first time since that horrific Tuesday morning. Their phone lines are now working.

“We sincerely thank you all for your kind words of support & look forward to our re-opening as soon as is possible.”

Refusing to buckle to the tsunami’s fury, the day after, Wendy and Chris flew the flag of Samoa, “high above the rubble to show our determination to rebuild,” writes Wendy who this week celebrated Stage One of salvaging, securing and making safe “whatever we could”.  Despite the disaster, all 27 staff have remained with Seabreeze with many continuing to turn up for work each day at Seabreeze since the disaster.

“Waiters, chefs, kitchenhands and cleaners work tirelessly to clean up and then rebuild their beloved Seabreeze.”With no employment opportunities in the South Coast or Apia, though many are looking now for jobs, Wendy says they are endeavouring to keep as many of their staff as possible. “For those who turn up for work we are still feeding and paying them at this stage.” Seabreeze has received several donations which have gone to the upkeep of the staff and their families.

But Wendy points out a dim economic reality facing the local Samoans they employ from the nearby village. “This disaster goes far beyond that of the tragedy on the day of the Tsunami and will impact on locals in the coming months, says Wendy.

It’s a reality facing about 20 other villages throughout the South Coast of Upolu, and elsewhere, that have relied on tourism to support families and villages.

“Several (staff) are dealing with the loss of loved ones, have no chance of employment, and no money for the families that they support” she says reflecting on the challenges facing her staff at Seabreeze.

“Several…support up to 15 other family members so it is vital that we give them any form of employment that we can. We are grateful and thank God that all quests, our wonderful staff and Chris and I escaped without injury,” writes Wendy.

Seabreeze Resort sustained serious damage from the tsunami, but none from the earthquake, which Wendy says is “a testament to Chris’s excellent building skills.” The tsunami swept away a large portion of the resort’s land, wiped out the restaurant and two fales. Miraculously, the Lagoon View Fale was left untouched. But the Honeymoon Fale was extensively damaged and needs to be demolished. All the other fales were left standing but need extensive rebuilding work.

The Booths, who are insured, are now awaiting an engineer’s report to determine the level of rebuilding required, along with a government assessment as to whether they can reclaim lost land and fill so they can build on the same location.

For now, they’re doing their best to keep their 27 staff employed, and are forging ahead with will and determination.

If you would like to make a donation to help Seabreeze Resort, please contact Seabreeze directly by clicking this link.  If you wish to make an anonymous donation, email us at reliefdonor@pacificeyewitness.org and we will do our best to facilitate that.