The Sandals Foundation; Educating, Building And Protecting The Caribbean

The Sandals Foundation, the official philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), was established last year in order to harness the company’s resources, energy, skills and brand power to tackle life-impacting issues in the Caribbean. The Foundation seeks to tackle a multitude of issues in the three broad categories of community,  education and environment and, according to Adam Stewart, CEO of SRI, aims to “change lives, shape futures and lift spirits” in the countries where Sandals operate.

Citing that education “provides the best opportunity for individuals as well as nations to improve their lot,” Stewart emphasises that this is a key focus of the Foundation’s work. All SRI resorts across the Caribbean are required to adopt schools and, in some cases, entire communities to ensure that the message of health, safety, environmental concern and opportunity is filtered throughout.  From procuring new computer labs and building additional classrooms, to funding scholarships for top performing students and hosting career days, resort staff members continually share their resources with the Caribbean’s youth.  Plans are also in place to expand mentorship programmes further in order to encourage the success of local residents.

Healthcare is another top community priority for The Sandals Foundation.  The company sponsors several health clinics to help ensure that all members of the community have access to proper healthcare. The company supports the international humanitarian group, “Great Shape 1000 Smiles Project,” which, in 2008 saw over 17,000 free dental treatments administered across Jamaica. This year, the partnership with Great Shape Inc. has expanded beyond the Thousand Smiles Programme to include a Literacy Programme; and a new Eye-Care Programme, and it is anticipated that over 20,000 people will benefit. Education programmes aimed at healthy living are also part of the Foundation’s work including HIV/AIDS awareness, senior citizen wellness and youth arts and sports programmes. Hospitality training programmes for resident citizens and agricultural partnerships with local farmers are among the empowerment programmes that teach lifelong skills and provide economic opportunity.

The final component to the Foundation’s mission is the environment and here, Sandals Resorts has a long tradition of protecting its home region.  Today, all Sandals and Beaches Resorts are certified by Green Globe– the worldwide benchmarking and certification programme for sustainable travel and tourism. This was due to the work that SRI, and The Sandals Foundation, undertake in the local community, working tirelessly to restore, clean and maintain the region’s delicate coral reef; educate fishermen on environmentally-friendly fishing practices; and regularly conduct beach clean-ups and tree-planting programmes. In December 2008 Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa even became the world’s first and sole recipient of the inaugural Green Globe Platinum award, recognising that the resort had reached an entirely new level of achievement in its sustainable tourism practices.

SRI brand partners, such as Sesame Workshop, have joined with The Sandals Foundation to expand its impact.  Throughout the year, the Sesame Street characters, who have been delighting Beaches Resorts guests for more than four years, journey into local communities to participate in anti-litter campaigns, teach children about road safety awareness, and to help comfort the sick.  Sesame Workshop has also worked closely with Beaches Resorts to create ongoing educational programmes such as “Story Time with Elmo,” designed to instill a passion for reading in children, and “Exploring with Grover,” an environmental programme that emphasises oceanography and teaches children how they can participate in helping the environment.

Guests of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, The Royal Plantation Collection or Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts may also participate in the work of the Foundation through: cash donations made online or at the resorts; special purchases in the gift shop, with a percentage of proceeds going to the Foundation’s efforts; or community work, where guests can roll up their sleeves and donate some of their vacation time to work alongside resort team members out in the community.

To learn more about The Sandals Foundation, please visit www.sandalsfoundation.org, or send enquiries to: foundation@grp.sandals.com