This pandemic has shown us people all over the world tapping into their creativity, often finding a previously dormant version of themselves and emerging as entrepreneurs, leaders and visionaries. I have observed this in abundance on Curaçao, the island my husband and I have called home for the past three years.
When we first moved to the island, it was already clear that it was a place where people tried their darndest to realize their business dreams. Curaçao is buzzing with forward-thinking university graduates, hoteliers, artists, foodies, farmers, environmentalists, digital marketers and other business-minded people from all walks of life. People are constantly reinventing their businesses and themselves, creating an almost tangible sense of progression.
In contrast to much of the world, Curaçao sailed through the first wave of the pandemic thanks to very strict measures taken when there were only four active COVID-19 cases recorded. However, the second and third waves have shaken the island, woken everyone up from an understandable level of complacency and sparked a revival of visionary thinking. Businesses have partnered up all over the island to find ways to keep one another afloat. Restaurants have wasted no time switching to delivery and takeout, many with logo-wrapped delivery vehicles that seemed to have emerged overnight. Farms have become more visible, creating farm shops with very organized online ordering and pickup systems. And all of these incredible businesses and organizations have increased their social media presence considerably.
And the heart of the island remains tender and generous as people form groups and organizations to help care for the most vulnerable. Daily food programs have become more sophisticated and visible thanks to businesses volunteering to provide advertising for these initiatives. Animal rescue organizations are also working overtime not just with the animals themselves but with getting the word out about the endless need for homes and funding for care.
Despite the huge hit to the economy, people are not sitting idle in this easy, breezy tropical paradise. They are learning, creating, revising and rebuilding where they can. They are realizing the potential for new ways of doing things, especially in areas such as farming, tourism, business administration, marketing and service — ways that will help them in the immediate and distant future. If we can see beyond lockdown, beyond the pandemic itself, it's not hard to believe that Curaçao will bounce back and flourish. The visionary perspective is infectious.
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