The sound of a ribbon being snipped, the genuine show of emotion expressed through happy tears, and the gleeful laughter of children at play – these were the moments that signified a dream come true for Sudbury Primary and Infant School in rural St. James.

On Friday, the school officially opened a brand-new playground, a space that will help children aged 3-6 thrive through enriched learning and recreation, contributing to their holistic development.

Valued at approximately J$800,000, the new playground is equipped with four swings, two seesaws, and a jungle gym. It became a reality thanks to a generous donation from Wanda Keefer, the owner of All Seasons Vacations out of Pennsylvania, and was facilitated by the Sandals Foundation.

In her speech at the opening, Suzanne Davis, Principal of Sudbury Primary and Infant School, highlighted the profound importance of play in children's growth. "Play helps our children develop socially, physically, and educationally. They need to play and interact with one another so that true learning can take place. This dedicated play area will encourage students to continue learning beyond the classroom, fostering cognitive development and essential life skills such as socialization and teamwork," Davis shared.

She went on to express her deep appreciation for the addition of such an important tool in the school’s mission to nurture well-rounded, active students who understand the value of a healthy lifestyle. "We are a rural school, and sometimes it feels as though we are forgotten. But thanks to the Sandals Foundation, we've been rescued," Davis said with heartfelt gratitude.

For Wanda Keefer, the driving force behind the new play space, the day was one of deep joy and reflection. She first visited the school five years ago, when she sponsored over 300 backpacks filled with school supplies. "This school was out in the middle of nowhere, yet the children here touched our hearts. We dreamed of returning one day to do something even bigger for them," Wanda recalled, holding back tears as she remembered her first visit. "I’ll never forget the moment I discovered that they [kids] didn’t have a playground and when the Principal told me, ‘We don’t have a playground, but we make the best of what we have.’ From that moment, I promised myself that we would build them a playground."

Though Wanda didn’t know how she would make that dream a reality, she was determined. Along the way, there were many challenges, including setbacks caused by the pandemic. But she pressed on, and eventually, with the help of her team and the Sandals Foundation, the dream came true.

When given the opportunity to name the new space, Wanda chose to honor her late husband, Terry Kershner, who passed away from cancer 14 years ago. "Terry was always deeply involved with the Sandals Foundation. Coming here today and seeing the sign for 'Terry’s Playground' was such a special moment," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Wanda expressed her profound gratitude to her team, who had worked tirelessly alongside her for over a year to raise funds for the playground project. "Reaching this point feels like a miracle, and I am forever thankful to my team, my family, and, of course, the Sandals Foundation for all the support and logistics that made this dream a reality," she said.

In addition to the new play area, Sudbury’s students also received three large boxes of school supplies, lightening the financial burden on some parents.

Principal Davis, while thanking Wanda and the entire team for their generosity, encouraged them to continue making a positive impact in the lives of local children. Your efforts help pave the way for our children to become educated global citizens. You’re making a profound impact on Jamaica’s future," she said warmly.

Through various partnerships, including collaborations with travel partners like Wanda, the Sandals Foundation is dedicated to empowering students across the Caribbean. By providing essential tools for academic and psychosocial development, their projects strengthen key programs and infrastructure, helping students thrive in all aspects of their lives.