As part of efforts to preserve Jamaica’s cultural spaces and empower young people, the Sandals Foundation with support from Coca Cola Latin America has donated approximately US$70,000 to support the restoration of the historic Enid Beale Home Economics Centre at Westwood High School in Stewart Town, Trelawny. The iconic building, recognized as a heritage site by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT), serves as an essential training ground for over 700 young women, ages 11-17, enrolled in the school’s Home Economics program.
The restoration of Westwood High School’s Home Economics Lab was essential due to structural aging and deterioration, particularly in the roof and verandah columns. The comprehensive repairs included replacing the old roof, reinforcing support columns, installing new fascia boards, and addressing necessary electrical and plumbing works to ensure a safe and functional space for students.
“We are deeply proud to contribute to preserving a piece of Jamaica’s rich heritage,” said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation. “Investing in spaces like the Enid Beale Home Economics Centre while an investment into the continued skills training of young people is also about creating lasting connections between the past and our future, ensuring our youth are aware of and carry forward the unique culture and traditions that have opened opportunities for so many who have passed through its doors.”
The restoration is in its final phase, with completion anticipated soon. Westwood High School’s principal and the Westwood Old Girls’ Association notes the transformative impact this investment will have on students and the broader community.
“Thanks to this partnership, we’re able to protect an invaluable part of our school’s legacy while empowering our young women with essential skills,” said Margery Campbell, President of the Westwood Old Girls Association. “The Enid Beale Centre’s restoration is a powerful example of how collaboration can preserve the best of our history for future generations.”
The Enid Beale Centre, a cornerstone of Westwood High School’s curriculum, has long been a vibrant space for cultural and community engagement. Built in 1944, the Domestic Science Centre—fondly known as "DS"—served as a hub for culinary learning, where students developed practical skills that resonated deeply with the cultural fabric of the time. During the 1940s, the Centre’s significance expanded beyond education, as it became a gathering place for both students and adults. By day, students used the space, while adults participated in evening sessions, fostering intergenerational exchange.
Over the years, this historic building has been a stage for countless culinary events, bake sales, and community concerts, making it a symbol of shared knowledge and growth. Renamed in 2002 to honor Enid Beale, a former vice-principal who helped shape its development, the Enid Beale Home Economics Centre continues to serve as a cultural landmark, bridging generations and providing a space for life-enhancing skills and community connection.
The Sandals Foundation, Georgia Aquarium, and CLEAR Caribbean have partnered to host a series of shark education training workshops to improve shark education and awareness among fishers, students and technical team members between November 2-6 in Dennery, Soufriere and Gros Islet. The training sessions will build the capacity of stakeholders in understanding the types of sharks in Saint Lucian waters, the importance of sharks to the marine ecosystem, and tips on how to interact with sharks.
The 5-day training hopes to engage one hundred (100) stakeholders including fishers, divers, students, members of the Soufriere Marine Management Association, and Sandals Resorts team members. The series follows the successful completion of similar shark education training in Jamaica in 2023. First of its kind on that island, some one hundred (100) stakeholders including fishers, media, technocrats, students, and conservationists were engaged to increase education, reduce fear of sharks, share conservation tips, and examine the local laws for their protection.
“Generally, there is a significant need for public education on sharks in the Caribbean. The Sandals Foundation sees this latest venture as essential to building the capacity of more regional stakeholders in conservation efforts,” says Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Projects Manager at the Sandals Foundation.
“Promoting marine conservation and education is a pillar of our mission,” said Bailey Dawson, director of education at Georgia Aquarium. “Our partnership with the Sandals Foundation helps us reach more people about the misunderstandings about sharks and hopefully enable more conservation practices.”
Georgia Aquarium, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a nonprofit organisation and the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of oceans and aquatic animals worldwide. Over the years, the United States based team has been working with partners in the Caribbean region towards increasing marine conservation efforts.
The services of the Negril Branch Library to residents in the parish of Westmoreland has been significantly enhanced with the donation of a state-of-the-art printer by the Sandals Foundation - philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International. Answering a critical request for improved technology to support the community, the printer improves the library’s ability to serve its patrons, providing students, job seekers, and the general public with academic and professional support.
The Negril Branch Library serves as a vital resource in the Westmoreland community, offering educational materials, digital access, and various literacy programs. However, limited resources have made it difficult to provide high-quality printing services for the many individuals who depend on the library’s support. Upon hearing of the library’s needs, the Sandals Foundation quickly mobilized resources to provide the necessary equipment.
“This new printer will make a world of difference to the individuals who rely on our resources,” said Nordia Miller-Gray, Senior Librarian at the Westmoreland Parish Library. “ It’s more than just a piece of equipment – it represents access to education, opportunity, and a brighter future. The library is a hub for the community, and now we can better support the needs of our patrons, whether for school projects, job applications, or personal development. This gift will truly inspire hope in so many lives.”
For Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, the intervention was not an option. “Libraries continue to be the cornerstone for education and access to the key digital services for many rural communities in this island. When we learned of the Negril Branch Library’s challenges, we knew we had to step in. This printer represents a bridge that will help students and adults meet their needs.”
Aaliyah Cunningham, Regional Public Relations Manager for Sandals and Beaches Negril Resorts, echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of corporate social responsibility in making a tangible difference. “This donation is part of our ongoing efforts to support the communities where we operate. It’s a reflection of our belief that investing in community infrastructure is one of the most powerful ways to build stronger, more resilient communities.”
In an effort to support avenues for sustainable economic development of 30 local fisherfolk, the Sandals Foundation has joined forces with Kee Fisheries to implement an innovative seaweed farming initiative, building their capacity to cultivate and process seaweed into a high-demand agar product. The project will help fishers tap into an environmentally friendly and alternate source of income by producing value-added products for sale to food and beverage companies locally, regionally, and internationally.
"Through this partnership, we’re empowering local communities to diversify their income in a way that not only benefits them but also supports marine conservation efforts," said Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Projects Manager at Sandals Foundation. "Seaweed farming is a viable way forward, and we’re proud to contribute to a project that uplifts both people and the planet."
Nicholas Kee, Co-founder and CEO of Kee Farms, shared his enthusiasm for the expected outcomes, stating, “We believe that seaweed farming has the potential to reshape the economic landscape for coastal communities. By equipping fisherfolk with the necessary tools and training, we’re creating an avenue for sustainable livelihoods that align with environmental preservation.”
As part of the overall project, a 4 week workshop teaches fishers how to grow seaweed, build rafts for production, and identify suitable sites for optimal growth. Once the seaweed reaches harvestable maturity, which usually takes about 6-8 weeks, Kee Farms plans to purchase it directly from the fisherfolk, or the fishers can choose to sell to the open market. This hands-on approach seeks to enable participants to take ownership of the process and build a resilient, sustainable industry.
Fisherfolk in the programme, ranging in age from 20 to 70, have been embracing the training. Bevin Campbell, a participating fisherman, expressed optimism about the project, saying, “This initiative gives us fisherfolk a chance to earn a steady income. The additional income will help my family and my community. It’s a good feeling.”
The Boscobel Fish Sanctuary was established by the Sandals Foundation in 2013 to bolster marine conservation efforts within the space. Over the years, the team of wardens who manage the protected space have built a strong relationship with local fisherfolk and wider residents who now help ecological protection practices. This partnership with Kee Farms takes that relationship a step further.
