Save The Fig Tree Bequia

My name is Elizabeth Cramer-Ernst and I am a nurse practitioner and love to visit beautiful beaches all over the world. That is how I stumbled upon The Fig Tree Restaurant - located on the island of Bequia - in beautiful St. Vincent & Grenadines
     Covid-19 epidemic  has hurt many companies forcing businesses to  close.   People all over have lost their jobs which has affected travel and spending all over the world.  There are no tour boats stopping by with tons of visitors on them  and with  tourism on the decline  customers numbers have dropped.   With  hardly any active cases of Covid-19 travel is still at an all time low.The dedication and benevolence of the proprietor, Cheryl Johnson, is what engenders such an initiative, as she brings her years of service, working in the field of community development, and with individuals of varying physical and other challenges to bear,  Cheryl Johnson is a pillar of this  tiny island community. 

     Her normally booming business is always busy whether it be for lunch dinner drinks or dancing  with people visiting from all over except this year, this year what would   have  been about 60 people for Christmas Eve dinner  sadly there was only 1 person. The Fig Tree has many long time employees some having been there over 10 years.

     In actual fact - as I eventually found out - The Fig Tree is so much more than just a restaurant. It is an institution of sorts, and a bedrock for the empowerment of young people, who may otherwise face various forms of educable challenges.
     Through its reading program, it has enabled students to excel in the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) exams, and national reading programs. One such individual - a middle distance athlete - who is now on scholarship at the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, is Dean’s list scholar Tamara Woodley
     
     The Fig Tree also serves as a family incubator for its workers, where long term relations are established and nurtured. This working environment, has enabled The Fig Tree to acquire a 4.5 rating across the board, for food, service, value and atmosphere, as patrons come away mostly well satisfied with The Fig Tree experience.

All of this...and much more is now threatened by the economic downturn, emanating from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic which is likely to result in the closure of this “people’s developmental institution,” where personal, economic, and nurturing opportunities, have been cultivated, through ten years of restaurant operations. The reading program however, commenced, fourteen years ago and lets not forget the healthy snack program which many people depend on especially in times like this when there is limited income.
   
It is against this background that this "SAVE THE FIG TREE" initiative has been established, and we ask you to contribute to this most worthy of causes so that the Fig Tree  can ride out the Covid-19 storm and continue to sail on carrying its cargo of humane upliftment and empowerment. 

The Fig Tree is a safe place...a place of community....an engine of commerce that uplifts this small fishing and sailing island.  

It takes a village to help  a village!!!


Please give generously as your situation  allows to this noble initiative!

 Thank You, 
Elizabeth Cramer-Ernst NP