Josh Host, a 38-year-old U.S. citizen and businessman, is the founder of “Visit Mizata and Nawi Beach House”, a hotel and restaurant located in Mizata Beach which generates 54 direct jobs.
Like many businessmen in the tourism sector, Josh’s business has been affected by the nationwide quarantine decreed by the government on March 21 and income has been affected. However, seeing the needs of the community in which he lives and works, Josh promotes an initiative to support the families of the community, especially those people who have lost their jobs or cannot go out to work.
Josh said, “Each one of us can feel the consequences of the current global Coronavirus crisis. But, as always, some people are more impacted than others. Those severely hit are the people in the coastal region of Mizata, El Salvador, that live in constant food insecurity and meet their needs selling their products.”
Initially, the businessman made a personal donation of 5,000 pounds of beans and rice to the members of the community. This initial contribution “only scratched the surface,” and for that reason he began a campaign to collect funds to help the community with donations of food, toiletries and medicines.
Josh’s efforts are a clear example of the positive role of small businesses and how they can find creative ways to mitigate the economic impacts caused by the pandemic in their community. It is also a testament to the strong personal and cultural ties of friendship that bind U.S. citizens and Salvadoran.
With the support of the U.S. Embassy to facilitate coordination with the local authorities, Josh has obtained a permit to carry this assistance to those in most need during this period of quarantine.
Josh commented, “It’s a time of immense adversity on all fronts. This pressure can cook you or create diamonds. We are using this time to improve our systems, strengthen our relationships and be ready for variable transition plans.”
Joshua has lived in El Salvador since 2018 and the U.S. Embassy applauds and salutes him for his contribution to this country in its time of need.
More information can be found on Instagram: https://instagram.com/visitmizata?igshid=1cl82exs6qpyk https://instagram.com/nawibeachhouse?igshid=ffor7i8817u6
