Curaçao’s reef restoration efforts has gained new momentum as the Sandals Foundation and the BRANCH Coral Foundation recently carried out an ocean dive to repopulate five coral nursery trees and outplant mature staghorn fragments grown under the Sandals Royal Curaçao Coral Nursery Establishment Project. Since launching in January 2025, the initiative has cultivated approximately 800 endangered coral fragments now being steadily restored to the island’s reefs.
The Coral Nursery Establishment Project aims to strengthen Curaçao’s coastal ecosystems through the cultivation and outplanting of endangered coral species. The recent activity marked an important milestone for the program with the successful outplanting of 25 square meters of restored coral from the BRANCH–Sandals Foundation nursery.
“Seeing these corals thrive in their new home is a tangible reminder of the positive change we can make when conservation meets community engagement and further strengthens our promise to the environment. A key pillar of the foundation's mission is the building of climate resilience through the restoration of coral reefs and fish population to, in turn, sustain the livelihoods of persons who depend on the health of this”, says Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation.
In November, the conservation team, supported by the Sandals Royal Curaçao Water Sports team, installed new bamboo frames and attached 300 staghorn coral fragments. After three dives and coordinated teamwork from seven staff members, all structures were planted. Over the next two years, the bamboo frames will naturally biodegrade, leaving behind a thriving, self-sustaining coral ecosystem. This serves to benefit the marine environment as it is a nursery and habitat for organisms and provides disaster risk reduction, reducing the power of waves as they come ashore.
Sandals Royal Curaçao’s General Manager, Jeffrey Speelman, joined representatives from the Sandals Foundation and BRANCH Coral Foundation in returning to the nursery, where he participated in the dives and assisted with the repopulation of the 5 coral trees through the placement of 100 coral fragments to repopulate them. These coral fragments will later grow to maturity and be outplanted to continue the process of manual rebuilding of the reef system.
“This milestone represents an important step forward for our partnership,” said Jeffrey Speelman. “Through initiatives like the Coral Nursery Establishment Project, we are not only helping to protect Curaçao’s marine environment but also securing the sustainability of our coastal resources for generations to come.”
For Natascha Borgstein, Chair of Branch Coral Foundation, the partnership has been a success, “BRANCH Coral Foundation is incredibly proud of the growing partnership with the Sandals Foundation. Having the support of such successful organizations like the Sandals Foundation allows us to continue to follow our goal of growing the reef of Curaçao together with as many local and international organizations as possible. If you are also interested in working/volunteering with us, or simply want to learn more about what we do, please visit our website at branchcoralfoundation.com."
As part of the project’s educational and community engagement goals, the team is preparing to launch the PADI BRANCH Coral Restoration Course. Once certified, the Watersports Team at Sandals Royal Curaçao will be able to train guests and offer hands-on coral restoration experiences—further expanding awareness and participation in marine conservation.
Over 100 fishers in the Whitehouse and Old Bay Fishing communities are better able to resume operations following a $3.5 million donation of 120 rolls of fish wires, and 6,720 litres of gasoline from the Sandals Foundation and RUBiS Energy Jamaica.
On Friday, November 28, the Sandals Foundation began the distribution of fishing wire to 120 fishers – building the capacity of the fisherfolk to produce up to 600 fish pots – their tool of trade. Each fisher also received 56 litres of UltraTec 90 gasoline to fuel their boats from RUBiS Energy Jamaica - a welcome boost for the men and women whose lives and livelihoods have been significantly interrupted by Hurricane Melissa.
“The psychological impact of Hurricane Melissa is something that haunts us each day,” says Diego Salmon, Whitehouse Sanctuary Manager, “You look around and everything is a reminder of the great loss the community has faced. The need is overwhelming, but our fishers are resilient and are working tirelessly to rebuild. We are grateful for this opportunity to strengthen our community.”
A sentiment shared by Michel Malatino, Chief Executive Officer at RUBiS Energy Jamaica, “We are happy to support this important hurricane relief initiative which will help fisher folk return to their livelihoods, provide for their families, and rebuild their communities,” says Malatino.
For Whitehouse fisherman, Oneil Smith, Hurricane Melissa dealt a major blow, “All the boat and fish pot dem mash up so we can’t go out and make money. The help that we receive will give us a start and make me continue my business.”
The Whitehouse Fish Sanctuary was established in 2013 by the Sandals Foundation. Over the years, Salmon with his team of five have developed trust and the support of the community, creating a strong partnership for the preservation of its marine life.
Now, the sanctuary office and its wardens stand as a vital support system to the fishing community – providing care packages, free ice to vendors and residents, and access to power strips and solar powered energy supply to charge devices and maintain connectivity to family, business partners and clients. The wardens have also installed solar streetlights in key locations to improve security.
Since the October 28 passage of Hurricane Melissa, the Sandals Foundation has maintained a sustained presence of relief support – including the facilitation of psychological support for residents with counsellors from the Kahle Journey and the Jamaica Psychological Association. As part of its ongoing efforts, the philanthropic organisation continues to work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to strengthen the capacity of fishers.
“A major pillar of our work is creating and endorsing opportunities that strengthen our communities. Supporting fishers restores income-generating pathways while providing additional food sources to communities that rely on their efforts to sustain their families. We are eternally grateful to our donors and partners that have made this all possible,” says Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation.
As for the long-term livelihood recovery plan, which relies on the health of the marine resource, the Sanctuary Manager affirms, “We all have a deeper appreciation for our sanctuary as it will act as a building block to restoring our livelihoods. Once we have achieved self-sustenance, we will shift our focus to assessing the damage to our reefs and begin replanting corals as needed,” Diego Salmon, Whitehouse Sanctuary Manager.
Company Announces Donation Initiative in Response to Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact, Air Canada Vacations has announced a special humanitarian initiative launching on Giving Tuesday to support recovery efforts in affected communities across Jamaica.
For every vacation package booking made on December 2 and 3, 2025, Air Canada Vacations will donate $10 per paying passenger to the Sandals Foundation Hurricane Relief Mission, helping to provide much-needed aid and assistance to those affected by Hurricane Melissa.
“We are committed to standing with our partners during these challenging times,” said Nino Montagnese, Vice President at Air Canada Vacations. “By working together with our valued customers, travel advisors, and the Sandals Foundation, we are able to bring vital support and relief to the island of Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, helping families and communities rebuild after this disaster.”
The initiative applies to all new bookings, including vacation packages, Flight & Hotel packages, tour packages, and Flight & Cruise packages booked through travel agents or online at aircanadavacations.com. The travel window for these packages extends until October 31, 2026, offering customers flexibility and the chance to make a meaningful difference through their travel choices.
“We are beyond grateful to Air Canada Vacations for joining our efforts to get lives back to normalcy after this disaster. As we continue to meet first relief needs and support hospitals to comfortably care for their patients, we are restoring a sense of stability for children. Over 400 schools are severely affected. We are committed to working alongside Canadian expertise and charities to help rebuild educational spaces for learning, which research shows provides physical and mental support to children that have experienced this level of trauma,” says Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation.
Air Canada Vacations hopes travelers will join them in making a difference this Giving Tuesday. For more information or to book a vacation package, customers can contact their travel agent or visit aircanadavacations.com.
To learn more about the Sandals Foundation, visit sandalsfoundation.org.
About Air Canada Vacations: Celebrating 50 years of making dreams travel, Air Canada Vacations is a leading travel expert that delivers unparalleled travel moments to Canadians. A repeat recipient of the Agents' Choice Award and Travel Pulse Canada Readers’ Choice Award, the tour operator offers expertly curated vacation packages that include allinclusive options, Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, excursions, and a variety of activities and experiences. With destinations spanning the globe, including Mexico and the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, and Asia, Air Canada Vacations makes travel easy and memorable for Canadians. For a seamless travel experience, Air Canada Vacations offers enhanced customer service with access to destination representatives in key regions ensuring local service and support throughout the trip. Air Canada Vacations packages include flights on board Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge and the ability to earn and redeem Aeroplan® points. To learn more about making your dreams travel, visit aircanadavacations.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.
About The Sandals Foundation: The Sandals foundation is a registered charity in Jamaica with the Department of Cooperatives and Friendly Societies, a CRA registered charity in Canada, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States and a registered charity with the Charity Commission for England & Wales that was created in March 2009 to continue and expand upon the philanthropic work that Sandals Resorts International has undertaken. It is the culmination of over four decades of dedication to playing a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where we operate across the Caribbean. The Sandals Foundation funds projects in three core areas: education, community and the environment. One hundred percent of the monies contributed by the general public to the Sandals Foundation go directly to programs benefiting the Caribbean community. To learn more about the Sandals Foundation, visit online at www.sandalsfoundation.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The Sandals Foundation has partnered with the Boys to Men Organization for the Rites of Passage: Boys to Men initiative, dedicated to positively shaping the lives of young men and boys through mentorship.
The initiative, which provides 8 weeks of engagement through sports, teamwork, and guided conversation, seeks to address the unique challenges faced by boys in the Caribbean. By honing conflict-resolution skills, fostering and healthy relationships, the program aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders who are not only aware of their potential but are also committed to uplifting their peers and communities.
“The Rites of Passage: Boys to Men initiative provides a supportive environment for the development of essential life skills, self-confidence, and a stronger sense of community,” says Program Director, Daniel Jeffers. “Through engaging workshops, mentorship programs, and interactive activities, the men and boys will learn from positive role models and gain valuable insights into the importance of personal development and nation building.”
On Saturday, November 1, the first cohort of 25 men and boys met at the Beausejour Sports Academy kick starting the programme that will cover topics of leadership, goal-setting, discipline, emotional intelligence, and financial literacy.
“Activities and discussions are geared towards building trust, supporting reflection, and brotherhood – all to empower the boys to take charge of their future, instilling a sense of responsibility, and giving them the skills to overcome obstacles,” says Jeffers
Birthed in Trinidad and Tobago over 20 years ago, the programme has touched the lives of over 3000 participants.
Helping to bring the transformative initiative to Saint Lucia, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke says the goals of the programme supports key areas of interest for the philanthropic organization - to build confidence, resilience, and leadership in the nation’s youth.
“Our men and boys are large contributors to our society and it is imperative that we support them from a gender-based perspective to ensure that they not only survive but thrive, despite the unique challenges they face. This initiative strengthens the capacity building in our communities from the ground up and we are committed to ensuring a successful and sustainable future for generations to come”, she says.
Highlighting the importance of partnership in creating avenues of hope for young men, Jeffers noted, “We are excited to launch in St. Lucia. Establishing strong corporate-community partnerships like that of the Sandals Foundation, our organization has strengthened capacity building in communities, driving the shared commitment to youth empowerment and nation building.”
