The paediatric department at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) within the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has received critical medical equipment valued at a little over £100,000 following funds raised through the successful staging of the Sandals Foundation Island Challenge in October 2024.

The equipment, which includes two incubators, one infant warmer, one ultrasound machine with a paediatric echocardiography probe, three SP02 monitors, and syringe pumps, Dr. Mishka Duncan, paediatrician of the MCMH, said “will make an immediate change in our ability to care for infants requiring specialized treatment. The tools provided will improve how we manage critical cases, allowing us to deliver high-quality, timely care to the most vulnerable members of our community.”

The paediatric department at the MCMH manages neonates and children up to 15 years old, on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Annually, there are approximately 600 - 700 children admitted to the paediatric department, 140 babies to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and approximately just over 1,000 admitted to the maternity ward.

“It’s all about ensuring that families have access to life-saving care when they need it most. The right medical equipment can mean the difference between uncertainty and hope, between struggle and survival. At the Sandals Foundation, we believe that investing in healthcare is investing in life itself, strengthening the very foundation of a country’s future.” Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation continued, “We are incredibly proud to support the dedicated team at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital with the tools they need to deliver specialized care to vulnerable infants. This is what true Caribbean connection looks like, coming together to uplift communities, strengthen healthcare systems, and create lasting change for generations to come.”

The Sandals Foundation Island Challenge brought together over 30 athletes from the UK and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who completed a grueling four-day journey of running and kayaking across the islands to raise funds for the initiative. Thanks to their dedication and the generous support of local and UK sponsors and partners, including the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment; the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, Team Athletics SVG, and a team from Unique Vacations UK Ltd., an affiliate of the worldwide sales and marketing representatives for Sandals Resorts, over £100,000 was raised to enhance pediatric healthcare services in the region.

Still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Beryl which affected south coast communities in July 2024, over two hundred fishers in Whitehouse, St. Elizabeth, and Clarendon’s Portland Cottage have received supplies totaling approximately $2 million to bolster their livelihood operations.

Eight months after the category 4 storm hit the island’s predominantly fishing communities, many have not been able to resume full operation following the loss of up to 100% of their tools and resources. Recently, members of the Sandals Foundation, following the technical expertise of the National Fisheries Authority, and working in collaboration with the Barmouth Fishers’ Association and the Gillings Gully Fishermen’s Cooperative distributed an assortment of 40,000 yards of 4-foot fish pot wires, 900 lbs of fishing nets, 2000 deep sea fishing hooks, and rolls of 4-foot fish pot wires at the Barmounth Fishing Beach in Portland Cottage, Clarendon and Whitehouse St. Elizabeth.

The supplies, which will strengthen the ability of fishers to earn a living, support their families, and the indirect commerce of surrounding communities – was made possible by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) Humanitarian Assistance Programme operated by the Canadian High Commission to Jamaica. Launched in October 2024 and executed by the Sandals Foundation, the recent outreach culminates a series of restorative projects to support livelihood recovery within the island’s agriculture, education, and marine space.

“The effects of a storm and in this case – a hurricane transcends months and even years,” says Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation. “The supplies provided today will not only directly help the men and women who navigate our waters for their daily catch, but it will also fuel the commerce of fish markets, local restaurants, villas, retail shops, and wholesales, as well as the families and residents who rely on those services to maintain their lives.”

Seventy-nine years old William Daley, who has been a fisherman for some 65 years welcomed the donated supplies noting that, “It will help out a lot.” Reminiscing on the effects of last year’s storm, Daley shared, “It was a very very dangerous hurricane. It destroyed the greater part of my savings. My house, farm, animals, fish pots. I don’t fully recover from it yet.”

Charmaine Allen, who has operated a cook shop at the Barmouth fishing beach for the last four years says the residents have limited economic opportunities and as such, “the shop isn’t doing so well right now because people are not buying and going out to sea like they used to." The recent support, she disclosed will bring much boost to her operations.

"Now that they have the supplies they needed like nets and such they will be able to go out to sea more often. Since they’ll be fishing more, they’ll have better income, so they can come and spend more money at my shop."

The fishers’ livelihood initiative forms part of a wider JMD $ 5.1 million humanitarian outreach and disaster relief project under the Humanitarian Assistance programme of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

The Canada Fund for Local Initiative provides modest funding for small-scale, high-impact projects in more than 120 countries eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA). Projects are planned and implemented mainly by local organisations, and are selected and approved by the relevant Canadian Embassy or High Commission.

Additional projects implemented under the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives’ Humanitarian programme through Sandals Foundation involve the distribution of $2. 2 million cash grants to over 50 farmers in Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth in December, as well as the November 2024 donation of 30 new teachers’ desks valued at some $1.4 million to Hampton School in St. Elizabeth.

Some one thousand (1000) Providenciales residents are set to benefit from the resurfacing and renovation of the Juba Sound Basketball Court following a partnership between the Sandals Foundation and the Turks and Caicos Sports Commission.

The project, valued at some US $50,000, supports residents of the Juba Sound, Long Bay, and Grace Bay areas, as well as students at the neighbouring Mills Institute and A Louise Garland High School providing a safe space for healthy recreation and socialising.

“Community courts – be it basketball, netball, tennis or badminton provide an essential service in helping residents stay active, exercise, build community spirit and support mental health,” says James McAnally, Managing Director at Beaches Turk and Caicos Resort, “At the Sandals Foundation we believe in investing in the holistic development of our communities and residents of all ages. The renovation of the Juba Sound Basketball Court will help in this regard.”

Speaking at the recent park handover ceremony, Jarrett D. Forbes, CEO of the Turks and Caicos Sports Commission said, “the renovation of the Juba Sound Basketball Court was necessary to provide a safe, high-quality recreational space for the community. The existing court had deteriorated over time, with surface wear, inadequate fencing, and insufficient lighting making it less accessible and less safe for users. Given the growing interest in basketball and community sports, the renovation was essential to ensure that residents—especially youth—have a well-maintained facility where they can play, train, and engage in positive activities.”

Forbes added: “The renovated court will have a significant impact on the Juba Sound community and surrounding areas. It will provide a safe and structured environment for young people to develop their basketball skills, stay active, and engage in healthy competition. Additionally, the court will serve as a community hub, fostering social interaction, mentorship, and a sense of pride among residents. With added features such as dusk-to-dawn lighting and enhanced fencing, the facility will be safer and more accessible for extended use. Ultimately, this renovation supports youth development, promotes physical well-being, and strengthens community bonds.”

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services Hon. Rachel Taylor said, “this mission is a culmination of public, private partnership where the youth of the Turks and Caicos Islands are the winners. We are grateful for this support as we commend the work of the Sandals Foundation and Beaches Turks and Caicos resort of helping to foster a safer and healthier community for our youth.”

“This partnership goes beyond the just sports for this community. This is the first phase of development for the social and physical development of our youth. We stand proud of beneficiaries of volunteerism from our partners the Sandals Foundation in community development and education for the youth of the Caribbean. We are looking forward to the continuation of other developments that will help u maintain our beautiful by nature, Turks and Caicos Islands,” Taylor noted.

Across the Caribbean, the Sandals Foundation supports the creation and maintenance of community spaces that facilitate youth sports and nurture the health and wellbeing of residents.

As part of efforts to build the climatic resilience of south coast farmers, the Sandals Foundation has partnered with the Rural Agricultural Authority (RADA) and Isratech Jamaica Limited to host and provide drip irrigation training and infrastructure to vegetable, produce, and small ruminant farmers in and around the Beeton Springs community.

Ten farmers from the communities of Cave Mountain, Robins River, Beeston Springs and Bluefields on Friday received technical and practical training on the installation of drip irrigation to support production in their fields throughout the current dry season which runs December to April.

The intervention, valued at just over $4 million forms part of the philanthropic arm’s Westmoreland Irrigation Project will also see each participant receiving irrigation hoses with emitters, 1000 gallon water tanks, and other key resources for an irrigation infrastructure to support a quarter acre farm lot.

“Strengthening the capacity of our island’s food producers to sustainably provide for their markets and families, requires an investment in climate adaptive technologies. Drip irrigation provides an efficient method to maximize on limited water supply especially during the dry season and we are happy to support our farmers in this respect,” says Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Manager, Sandals Foundation.

Leading on irrigation best practices training, Everton Robinson, Manager of the Farm Water Management Unit at RADA says, “There is a direct correlation between best practices, efficiency and productivity. By sharing with farmers how they can operate, maintain, and trouble shoot glitches with the technology, we can make life easier for them.”

Noting that no one approach is universal for all, Robinson says, “We like to have conversations with farmers and understand the cultural practices they employ. Where possible we always try to integrate that information into the irrigation technology to encourage their continued development.”

An irrigation demonstration plot has been established at the Beeston Spring Greenhouse built by the Sandals Foundation, to support installation training. Over the next week, Isratech will provide additional capacity building as they install the infrastructure on the farms of participating farmers.

“Our team will provide hands-on training, ensuring that farmers understand how to set up, operate, and troubleshoot their systems effectively. Empowering [them] with these skills minimizes water loss, optimizes crop yields, and reduces operational costs, particularly during the dry season when water conservation is crucial,” says Patricia Grant, Marketing Manager at Isratech Jamaica Limited. “By combining education with practical implementation,” Grant continues, “Isratech aims to equip farmers with the knowledge and confidence to sustain their irrigation infrastructure for years to come,"

The Westmoreland Irrigation Project forms part of the Sandals Foundation’s intensified food security programme. Over the last 5 years, the philanthropic arm has been building the capacity of students, farmers, agriculture training institutions and communities in various climate smart technology, training and research to bolster the capacity of the Caribbean’s various islands to produce more of what it grows.