Joy and Inspiration
April 3rd, 2009
Rafael enjoys a dance at the company Christmas party 2008
If you were a guest at our resort you may have passed a smiling Rafael Tromp in the hallway at one time or another.
Rafael’s strength and stamina have been invaluable to our housekeeping department as he lifted and carted piles of linens to and from the laundry or helped to bring supplies to the room attendants. Rafael kept our floors and windows sparkling clean and assisted the department anywhere and everywhere.
I met Rafael 16 years ago when Ewald introduced me to him as a new member of our team at Bucuti. A local foundation called Centro Man na Obra had contacted him to inquire if we needed any help because of a long standing friendship he had developed with the organization. http://www.svgaruba.info/obra.html
Ewald successfully integrated members of Centro Man na Obra into his organizations throughout the years and we all watched them thrive under the protective care of the entire team.
I once pondered the thought of Rafael and the term ‘mentally challenged’ and wondered what the world would have been like if everyone were as challenged as Rafael… because his challenges seemed to have left him without the ability to be unkind and I doubt if he knew what ‘hate’ was. His world seemed full of love and laughter, kindness and smiles. It was a pleasure to see Rafael each day and receive the warm and fuzzy expression on his face as he enthusiastically belted out a good morning.
Tragically and quite unexpectedly, we lost Rafael this week.
Through the sadness and grief of our entire team, I believe I can speak everyone’s behalf when I say that Rafael inspired us to live to our potential as he did, and not to squander our gifts or take them for granted.
He will live in our hearts, memories and in Bucuti’s history always.
April 5th, 2009 at 6:15 am
We are sad to hear the news of Rafael and wish family, colleges and friend all the strenght to cope with this unexpected loss.
April 6th, 2009 at 5:27 am
We too remember Rafael as the kind man in the hallway who always greeted us with a big smile when we vacationed there, and who was always very busy working on one project or another. It is gratifying to see organizations employ people with disabilities then discover what a joy they bring to a workplace. I have spent my career helping people with developmental disabilities with their own career development and have seen many businesses discover the potential in this underdeveloped resource. Congratulations to Bucuti and my prayers are with Rafael’s family as they cope with his passing. I hope many more will have the chance to brighten workplaces throughout the world.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Susan, thanks for making us aware of Rafael’s death and loss of him to the Bucuti family as well as his own. We agree with the earlier post that Rafael was always smiling, always busy, always most pleasant to run into during our visits over the years. He “made a difference” with his life.
Please pass on our respect and condolences to the Bucuti family as
well as Rafael’s personal family. We will miss him
April 6th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Susan, we also appreciate your sharing of this information with us through your blog.
Rafael will be missed. He will always be remembered in the fondest way.
Please send our condolences to his family and to the Bucuti team. Love the picture of him! He was a very sweet man.
Sandy and Scott
April 14th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Susan, that is indeed sad news,on our many trips Rafael would always greet us in the hallway with that GREAT smile of his.He was a fixture at the Bucuti for sure and I’m sure a great loss to you and Ewald not to mention his family.Give our condolences to his family.
Gary and Jackie
April 18th, 2009 at 5:57 am
Dear Bucuti Team,
We are very sad that Rafael will not be greeting us at the door. He was part of the wonderful Bucuti family that we love.
We are with you and his family in thoughts and prayers.
Allen and Madeleine Forte