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Strengthening local food and agricultural sectors to ensure families and communities have sustained access to fresh foods for nutritionally healthy lives.

Improving Food Security &amp; Nutrition

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We've joined forces with the globally renowned Netherlands' AFC Ajax soccer club to launch Future Goals.

From the Ocean,&nbsp; For the Future.

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Creating a strong foundation for success.

Enhancing Education

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Strengthening social programs and tackling issues to empower all.

Developing Communities

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Protecting the natural resources that sustain life.&nbsp;

Conserving the Environment

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Empowering women positively impacts lives!

#WHOArevolution

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Did you know that you can make a difference in the Caribbean destinations where you travel simply by packing needed supplies and bringing them along in your suitcase?As a valued partner of Pack for a Purpose®, the Sandals Foundation encourages guests staying at any Sandals or Beaches Resort to pack up to 5 pounds of needed school supplies to help further the educational needs of students in the islands. All donations can be dropped off at the resort’s Front Desk and the Sandals Foundation will ensure timely delivery to local school(s) in the region. &nbsp;For a complete list of the supplies needed by the educational institutions we work with, visit <a href="https://www.packforapurpose.org/">packforapurpose.org</a>

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Bring much needed school supplies to students in need.

Pack for a Purpose ®

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Give back on your vacation when you go back to school on an unforgettable journey and help local students improve their reading and comprehension skills.

Reading Road Trip

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Tourism has the power to drive positive change and through these 40 stories of love and more, our 2022 Annual Report shows how together we are building a tangible platform of hope across the region we call home.

Love Transforms

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Using the power of hope and love to transform communities and improve lives

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In its simplest form, to inspire is defined as the action or power of moving intellect or emotions. We, the Sandals Foundation, believe that the action of inspiring hope is a force that can move mountains.The Sandals Foundation is a non-profit organization launched in March 2009 to help Sandals Resorts International continue to make a difference in the Caribbean. All costs associated with administration and management is supported by Sandals International so that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly towards funding impactful and meaningful initiatives within the key areas of Education, Community and Environment.

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We create and endorse initiatives that engage and inspire people through skills training, sports, health initiatives which help to tackle complex social issues head-on to strengthen communities.

Empower Lives

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We provide both children and adults with essential tools such as scholarships, supplies, technology, literacy programmes, mentorship and teach training to help them reach their full potential.

Encourage Dreams

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We promise to raise environmental awareness, develop effective conservation practices and teach future generations how to care for their communities to our precious Islands and their resources.

Cultivate Tomorrow

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Bahamas

Turks & Caicos

Jamaica

Antigua

Saint Lucia

Barbados

Grenada

Curaçao

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Who we are

We Are the Sandals Foundation

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Sandals Foundation has partnered with the Violence Prevention Alliance alongside Coca Cola LA and the Social Development Commission on a project geared at educating youth, parents, teachers, and community members on alternative positive pathways to build community peace and wellbeing and increase employment opportunities for youth in Steer Town. Against the background of November being recognized as National Parenting Month, the group is commemorating a number of activities that have been activated under the theme Steer Town: Building Community Peace and Wellbeing through Positive Youth Engagement and Youth Economic Empowerment. In the coming months, partners and community stakeholders will come together for a series of community engagement activities including job readiness workshops, psychosocial development workshops, and remedial and vocational training for children and youth in Steer Town.Dr. Deanna Ashley, Executive Director at the Violence Prevention Alliance says, “The priority of the VPA is to work within the framework of a public health approach that seeks to build resiliency in children and youth through interventions that strengthen and support efforts to promote positive behaviour and cultural changes in communities especially among children and youths.” “Our vision is a violence-free and safe Jamaica, and we work towards this by using a multi-sectoral approach to unite around this shared vision for Jamaica,” Ashley said. The launch of the Peace Park at Steer Town Primary School on November 27 marks a significant step towards fostering harmony and understanding within the school community. This dedicated space for conflict resolution will not only enhance the learning environment but also actively involve parents and students in collaborative activities like tree planting and painting, symbolizing the growth and unity of the school community.To engage and promote positive behaviour among the children of Steer Town, the Steer Town Youth Intervention project has implemented parent education training sessions and collaborated with schools in the area to organise life skills workshops and remedial literacy, incorporating sport and music-based activities for students at the primary school level. The youth intervention project goes further to engage young adults in the community through employment readiness and employability training workshops, job fairs, and remedial and vocational training aimed at increasing economic empowerment and employment opportunities for the community members. Training in business and entrepreneurship will also be provided to community members, with the top five (5) businesses receiving start-up grants. These combined efforts will impact a total of forty (40) community members per year between the ages of 18-29. “While the project is focused on youth engagement and economic empowerment, it takes a community-based approach to reducing the occurrence of violence among high-risk children and youth,” says Karen Zacca, Director of Projects at the Sandals Foundation. “Involving parents in education opportunities helps to improve parenting skills, promoting non abusive approaches to discipline and providing a supportive home environment for their children. Re-establishing the Steer Town Primary and Junior High Parents’ Place supports a parent-friendly culture and reinforces parenting education by providing a dedicated space for group seminars, recreation, and parent-child collaboration,” says Zacca.The Sandals Foundation is committed to the growth and development of Caribbean communities with a number of projects tailored to the creation and strengthening of key infrastructure that support the psychosocial, economic and wellness needs of residents.

Steer Town Builds Community Peace through Youth Engagement and Economic Empowerment

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The Port Maria Hospital, serving over 125,000 people from St. Mary and St. Ann, has received eight (8) Internet Protocol cameras to provide digital video surveillance as a part of their newly upgraded security system funded by the Sandals Foundation’s 2023 staging of the Sandals Golf &amp; Jerk Festival.Valued at approximately $924,000, the system will be an important tool for maintaining a safe and secure environment for patients, employees, and the valuable, life-saving equipment on the grounds.Speaking at a handover recently, Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation described the development as a successful indication of what can be accomplished through shared goal and partnership.“Today, we recognize the invaluable service provided by our medical professionals, recognize our equal responsibility in supporting our island’s healthcare infrastructure, and celebrate the impact of partnerships that make a difference,” says Clarke.“I stand representing the support of United States based golf and utilities company Tropicars, Digicel Jamaica, Best Dressed Chicken, AC Marriott Kingston, CPJ Market, Starbucks Jamaica, Jamaica Observer, Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and all partners that came on board.” Security systems are important tools for maintaining a safe and secure environment at hospitals. They help to protect patients, employees, and equipment, ensure compliance of hospital regulations, protect patient data, prevent theft and vandalism, and monitor high-risk areas like Accident and Emergency - thus helping [staff] to monitor and respond quickly to incidents. Senior medical officer at the hospital Dr Sydney Powell said: "It is difficult to find words to speak to Sandals Foundation for its generosity and unwavering support. This donation is the cornerstone in the provision of a safe work environment for all staff, mitigation of patients who abscond, and added measures to the safety of our admitted babies. Continued, quality health care is ensured and would never have been possible without your selfless and continued support. Together we will continue to positively impact the health of all we serve."Earlier this year, the Sandals Foundation hosted the 3rd staging of the Sandals Golf &amp; Jerk Festival at the Upton Estate Golf and Country Club in St. Ann. The event, which provided a unique combination of sports and a celebration of the island’s cuisine, brought together over one hundred (100) local and international golfers and twenty-four (24) local jerk chefs tantalizing the taste buds of patrons.

Installation of New Security System Creates Safer Environment for Staff and Patients at the Port Maria Hospital

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The Ministry of Education and Department of Agriculture’s comprehensive farming programme, ‘Let it Grow’, which saw the launch of the island’s first in-school hydroponics system at the Clement Howell High School earlier this year, has brought great success to the Turks and Caicos Curriculum Development Unit.The ‘Let It Grow’ programme, supported by the Sandals Foundation, was designed to support the establishment of school farms at all public and private educational institutions, providing over 4,000 students and 110 teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to foster the development of agriculture as an alternative career choice, while promoting entrepreneurship and sustainability within the community. Now, at the close of its first year of execution, ‘Let It Grow’ has successfully established farms in fourteen (14) public and two (2) private schools, with each introducing clubs centered around farming concepts. To support the farming in schools programme, upgraded irrigation systems were also set up in eight (8) schools, with others benefiting from needed soil, fencing and other farming resources. The programme provides more hands-on experiences to students - reinforcing the three pillars of the Let It Grow programme - Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Responsibility.Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at Sandals Foundation, expressed delight in the outcome of the programme which saw farming concepts being introduced to schools’ curriculum via guides, lessons, and project-based learning. “The Let it Grow programme saw the systematic capacity building of students and teachers from all 14 of the island’s public schools where they learned to establish and maintain small farms. These schools have since set up gardens that enable students to grow their own vegetables and fruits, which not only promotes healthy eating habits, but also provides a sustainable source of food for the school. As the foundation zoned in on projects this year that support the region’s food security, we couldn’t ask for anything else.”Elisann Delancy, Curriculum Development Officer for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Department of Education, says, “The Let It Grow Programme has made significant progress since implementing Phase 1. Positive results have been seen across the board, with feedback from students and teachers being overwhelmingly positive. The programme's impact has surpassed initial expectations, with students showing an increased interest in gardening and a deeper understanding of environmental issues.” “The success of Phase 1 has raised hopes for future phases of the programme”, Delancy continued, “With continued support and investment, the Let It Grow Programme can expand its reach and impact, further promoting environmental awareness and sustainability in schools and communities. The programme has truly proven its worth, and its continued growth and success will undoubtedly benefit future generations.”

‘Let It Grow’ Programme Blooms in Schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands 

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Twenty-four (24) bird and nature guides have been trained and certified in bird identification and guiding techniques in the recently concluded Sandals Foundation sponsored Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training Program.The event, which took place October 23 to 27, forms part of the Caribbean Birding Trail Project – an initiative of BirdsCaribbean aimed at promoting nature-based, authentic experiences that benefit local people and encourage the protection of the Caribbean’s natural resources, including birds and their habitats.Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director at BirdsCaribbean says, “The 5-day interactive program targeted persons working as guides who would like to expand their businesses by adding birdwatching or “birding” to their tour offerings. The sessions were also open to those who work in outreach and education about birds and nature.”Participants explored the importance of preserving the Turks and Caicos Islands’ birds and nature while strengthening the island’s local ecotourism sector. They also learned bird identification, guiding techniques, and environmental interpretation—making connections to natural resources through story telling. Everyone received a package of materials including binoculars, a bird field guide, bird ID cards, CBT hat, endemic birds of the Caribbean, and many other resources.“Globally, the tourism market for wildlife watching and wildlife photography is growing, and birdtourism is a significant part of this market. The Caribbean Birding Trail seeks to attract these markets to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the wider Caribbean. Integral to this is having well-trained guides who can help connect ecotourism travellers with the cultural and natural resources of the island, creating meaningful and authentic experiences,” said Sorenson.When asked what they most appreciated, one participant commented, “The mix of different people and to be inspired by the facilitators to seek a profitable but sustainable way forward and also a healthy way forward for the spirit. The materials given were awesome! And more than I was expecting.“The content of the workshop was outstanding, presented at the right pace and by the best instructors,” said another participant.Known for its commitment to the conservation of the Caribbean’s natural resources and ecosystems, the Sandals Foundation funded the training workshops and other initiatives to support the creation of a cadre of trained bird and nature interpretive guides on the islands.Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation said the organisation was, “proud to support this programme which taught participants how to inspire people and engage audiences through storytelling aimed at preserving TCI’s incredible birds and nature.”“Collectively,” Clarke continued, “We can build a stronger eco-tourism market in TCI that provides sustainable livelihoods and supports environmental conservation. Helping trainees learn about the bird tourism market and how they can tap into this rapidly growing and lucrative ecotourism sector will be beneficial for years to come.”The Caribbean Birding Trail Certified Interpretive Bird Guide Training Workshop was hosted and coordinated by BirdsCaribbean and the Turks and Caicos National Trust, with additional support from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. BirdsCaribbean is an international, non-profit organisation committed to the conservation of Caribbean birds and their habitats. The organisation aims to raise awareness and empower local partners to build a region where people appreciate and conserve bird populations and ecosystems, through education, science and advocacy.Similarly, the Turks &amp; Caicos National Trust (TCNT) is a membership, non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of the natural, historical, and cultural heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Bird Tourism Market Takes Flight in the Turks and Caicos Islands with Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training 

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