Upcoming Events at Seafarers' House San Juan, Inc.
Despite the pandemic that has affected the entire world, we at Seafarers' House San Juan (SHSJ) have not stopped working, nor have we stopped our small activities and events. Work that cannot be done in the office is being done remotely at our homes. The existence of social networks has helped us greatly when it comes to celebrating these special holidays and events that are of importance to seafarers.
Last June 25th, we gave our appreciation to all seafarers for the great work they do. As a way to celebrate this day, SHSJ uploaded a video in appreciation of their service to the industry. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we are unable to have many activities like we used to with seafarers. But hopefully by next year this will only be a bad memory and we can celebrate special occasions and holidays with seafarers again in style. Apart from the video collage for the International Day of the Seafarer, an art also was uploaded to our social media accounts, Facebook and Instagram.
For the month of October, we will be celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness, SHSJ will create art to upload to our social networks and will also be uploading information regarding breast cancer. Once the cruise industry returns to normal operations, small activities will be planned in the SHSJ center. If we are given the green light to visit seafarers on their ships, we will take our small activities on board and give out small gifts as we have done on past ship visits.
November is the month of Non-Violence Against Women Awareness, which is celebrated on the 25th. SHSJ will be using the motto "Orange the World" for our social media uploads as has been done on previous occasions, along with the motto that the UN will use; "Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent , Collect! ”. And we will also be using the local motto "Not one more, not one less."
And to end the year, the month of December begins with HIV Awareness on the 1st, SHSJ will be creating art which will be uploaded to our social networks as well as general information regarding the topic. December is also the month where the biggest activities of the year are celebrated, Christmas, a holiday full of joy and cheer, as well as New Year's Eve on the 31st, where with great hope for a better future, we will celebrate the new year.
Hopefully the cruise industry will return to normal soon so that we may visit seafarers again on board their ships docked in San Juan’s ports and partake on new activities with them. The industry will inevitably take off again, if not in the next few months, then gradually over time before the end of the year. When this happens, we will be able to celebrate these important occasions with seafarers once again. With hope in our hearts, by next year we may be free of the Coronavirus and everyone may return to their normal everyday lives.
By: Lilliam Alvarado
