Pink Gin Beach, Grenada, October 17, 2017: Junior Achievement (JA) is a community based initiative that encourages students to hone their individual potential as an asset in the economy. It introduces financial literacy, ethics, entrepreneurial skills, leadership, teamwork and drive- all within a strategically developed program with alternative teaching methods that focus on active practical engagement. Teachers and volunteers lend their time and effort to carry out the program, in cooperation with the Junior Achievement organization that provides the necessary training and tools to deliver these lessons.

At a program launch ceremony, held in St. George’s, Grenada on Tuesday, George Harford, a local JA Director, commended Sandals Foundation for reviving the Junior Achievement for Primary Schools, as the program came to an abrupt hault in 2015, due to a lack of sponsorship. Notably, he commended another JA sponsor, Grenada Electricity Services Ltd. for their continuous support of JA for Secondary Schools. These sentiments were echoed by, Mrs. Maria Viechweg, Acting Deputy Chief Education Officer of the Ministry of Education, who also addressed the ceremony.

Delivering a motivational speech was, JA President of the year 2016- 2017, Wesley Simon, student of the Presentation Brothers College. He encouraged other students to ‘aim high’ and persevere despite the challenges that arise as they pursue this program. Additionally he advised that their time management, team work and creativity skills will all be challenged and improved by the experience.

Regionally, Sandals Foundation has been a longstanding partner of Junior Achievement and looks forward to this new undertaking in Grenada, “We are so pleased to partner once again with Junior Achievement. We have witnessed first-hand the enthusiasm of students who partake in this program and the new skills they walk away with. We are particularly excited to support this program at the primary school level as we believe that it is never too early to introduce entrepreneurial skills in the classroom. Through the hands on learning approach we feel the children really get a better understanding of the different aspects of a business and problem solving, which is knowledge we hope will lay the foundation for their future success. We thank the JA team for their continued commitment to this program and look forward to a productive and exciting year ahead,” Corporate Director of Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke.