How Sandals Helps Kids Go Back to School
We think the Sandals & Beaches Resorts deliver an amazing experience to their guests. But there’s something else they do that makes the places where their employees live and work so much better. Here’s a look at how the Sandals Foundation is helping kids go back to school this season.
GRENADA
The Sandals Foundation, the non – profit arm of Sandals Resorts, has come on board to provide the Ministry of Education with resources needed to continue the assessment and intervention programme of the School for the Deaf. The donation, valued at just over US$11,000/EC$28,000 continues the Foundation’s commitment to supporting educational advancement across the Caribbean.
The donation includes a portable audiometer, literature and language resources, internationally standardized assessment tests, Kindles and an LCD Projector. Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke, said it is critical that no child is left behind, especially those with special needs and disabilities who already face multiple challenges.
“Assessment is critical in providing teachers and caregivers with the information needed to plan the best way forward to assist children with disabilities. The provision of the right resources to test and accommodate learning for children with special needs increases their access to a better education, which is why we are very pleased to support the Ministry of Education in ensuring that the school has all that is needed to provide these children with equal opportunity for a successful future,” Clarke said.
Teachers of the School for the Deaf are excited and grateful for their new up to date tools which will make their work even more efficient; “The various forms of assessments we now have thanks to the Sandals Foundation will enable us to zero in on specific problems our students may have whether it be their functional auditory skills, speech perception, comprehension, vocabulary, pronunciation or signing. We can then analyze the results of these new tests and work from there to improve each child’s performance,” expressed Michelle Brathwaite, Principal of the School for the Deaf.
Through the Special Education Desk (SEND) Programme, the Ministry of Education has placed a special interest in sourcing assistance for special needs children on the island. There are currently eleven schools participating in the programme which is aimed at identifying and providing the right learning environment for children with special needs.
Brathwaite continued, “We express our sincere thanks to the Sandals Foundation for acceptance of this project proposal for early screening and intervention for the deaf and seeing this as fundamental as you highlighted in your 2018 report; an investment in Education is an investment in the future- it provides both children and adults with the tools they need to create better outcomes for themselves and their families; this is integral in creating the type of society we dream of in the region.”
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Kevin Andall commended the region-wide reach of the Sandals Foundation; “We recognize your generosity and your commitment not only in Grenada but right across the region. Every Ministry of Education does a lot but critical to our functioning is engaging partners to support us in our commitment to our students. I believe, once we provide quality education we will equip our people to ultimately be globally competitive.”
Equally impressed and thankful are the parents of hearing-impaired children; “Thank you to Sandals Foundation and all the organizations here in Grenada who continue to support deaf education, because of your support our children have a voice and are able to receive the opportunities they rightfully deserve,” Florence Holmes, parent of a hearing-impaired child.
ANTIGUA
Sandals Foundation volunteers and guests recently attended the Zone 4 Literacy Festival in Antigua where they distributed school supplies for reading and mathematics, coloring and composition books, backpacks, and pencils to the over 400 students from 15 public and private primary schools who were in attendance.
JAMAICA
All 685 students at the Priory Primary and Infant School in St. Ann were given a greater chance at fighting and preventing cavities after the Sandals Foundation and Great Shape! Inc. brought their school-based oral health preventative programme, also called Sealant Programme, to the school recently.
A sealant is a clear liquid material that dental professionals coat on to the surface of permanent molars to cover deep fissures and pits on the biting surface of the tooth. The quick, painless procedure greatly assists in the prevention of tooth decay by effectively sealing out bacteria that cause cavities.
“Oral health is a very important part of overall proper health and even more critical for children as they develop healthy habits. We must ensure that the proper dental hygiene is taught to children as early as possible, and where necessary, provide preventative services such as sealants, to help prevent future damage to their teeth. Our partnership with Great Shape! Inc. has, for the past decade, brought health care services to hundreds of thousands across the Caribbean and that is something we are proud of,” said Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke.
Principal of the Priory Primary & Infant School, Dwight Minto, was particularly moved by the effort and expressed gratitude to the Sandals Foundation and Great Shape! Inc.
“Almost all our students were seen, several tooth extractions were done, even teachers and staff members received cleanings. The parents are so grateful for what happened here this week.” Minto said.
In addition to receiving sealants, each student also received a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste with lessons on how to properly care for their teeth, something that Ministry of Education, Education Officer for Primary Schools, Dr. Carol Dcaccio said is very important to teach children at a young age. The students were also taught how eating certain unhealthy foods could damage their teeth.
“This type of outreach has been phenomenal, considering that access to proper dental care is not affordable for many of our students. The volunteers are all great individuals and our hearts swell with appreciation for the work they have done. The infusion of brighter smiles brought about by Great Shape! Inc 1000 Smiles and the Sandals Foundation has been a wonderful experience,” she said.
Dr. Keerthi Vittal, first-time volunteer to Great Shape! was first introduced to the project on previous vacations to Sandals Resorts in Jamaica and St. Lucia. She decided to be a volunteer and return to Jamaica with the mission as, she said, the Jamaicans were so warm and hospitable and the culture reminds her of her homeland, India.
“The team of volunteers here are very respectful and professional and the children are amazing, I just love them all. Before I begin a procedure I would explain why the abscess or tooth has to be removed and how to prevent any more from occurring. Yes, sometimes they are scared but we comfort them. The end result is always the best, they offer the most precious hugs and smiles,” said ‘Dr. Kiki’ as she was affectionately called by all the children.
During the week, 39 volunteers administered the sealant procedure on the students at the school. The volunteers also removed dozens of decaying teeth. The message of good oral care was also shared with all classes at the school. The Sealant programme was launched in Jamaica in 2010, led by Great Shape! Inc Executive Director, Joseph Wright.
“Our project is a preventative one. Our mission is to go into the schools to reduce and prevent cavities and using sealants is a proven and cost-effective way to do that,” Wright said.The Sandals Foundation and Great Shape! Inc. partnership has provided eye care and dental services to over 240,000 people in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Grenada and Turks and Caicos.
TURKS & CAICOS
For the past decade the Yellow Bird Foundation has been supporting the Sandals Foundation in the funding of projects in the Caribbean. The annual Yellow Bird Charity Golf Classic recently raised funds to assist with repairs to the Lanthe Pratt Primary School in Turks & Caicos, which was one of many schools severely damaged during the 2017 hurricane season.
