Update on our CSR day in Montenegro

It seems a long time ago now that our fleet of boats arrived at Lady of Mercy Island for an afternoon of back-breaking work.

Every delegate to One Global’s Unity Forum was given a specific task and got to work with no-one shirking their responsibilities in the blistering heat!

When we first set our eyes on it on the island, we were all wowed by the stunning location in the Bay of Tivat.

But as soon as we were on dry land we saw that the island and its church had long been neglected which was the reason we were there for our eagerly-awaited CSR project.

One of the issues facing the island was the fact it had never had running water.

But our financial contribution played its part in making this dream a reality when a ceremony on July 2 saw the Mayor of Tivat Željko Komnenović officially open a special fountain while the water supply system was blessed by the Bishop of Kotor, Monsignor Mladen Vukšić.

This water supply was made possible by a 1,200m pipeline – with 800m of that being under the sea.

Don Ivo Ćorić, who welcomed us to the island, told Online Vijesti: “This island and the sanctuary on it are under the protection of UNESCO, and not only of the State Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Montenegro.

“In this church there is a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary – unique in all of Europe because it depicts the Mother of God in a state of grace, or bliss. From today, all of us together are richer emotionally, culturally and spiritually.”

Following One Global’s visit, the church roof has been renovated while the other buildings have been given a new lease of life, including 12 former monks’ rooms in the monastery which have new bathrooms and toilets.

And with this fresh water supply, it wasn’t long before the island hosted its first event – a subject close to our hearts!

DMC Montenegro Concierge, who we worked with to create such special memories back in April, said they had been working on this event in collaboration with The Chedi in Luštica Bay.

It was organised for members of Leading Hotels of the World, as well as some of the top MICE buyers from the USA.

And feedback we had from the delegates – who were told of our efforts on the island – was that they were impressed with what we had done during our time there!

Read more about the water switch-on here.