Caribbean News
Sandals Foundation Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary with Strengthened Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
On Monday March 18th, the Sandals Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International – celebrated its 10th anniversary of fulfilling its promise to the Caribbean community and impacting over 850,000 people. Investing in projects directly related to improving communities, fostering growth through education and protecting the environment, the Sandals Foundation has committed to doubling down on protecting the Caribbean natural ecosystem and bringing its over 14,000 employees and its customers together to support environmentally sustainable projects over the next decade. The Sandals Foundation currently operates in Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Turks & Caicos.
“Our goal has always been simple – to unite the Caribbean region, elevate its people, and protect its delicate ecosystem and I am so proud of how far we’ve come in our first decade,” said Adam Stewart, Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts International and President of the Sandals Foundation. “To build on our momentum and bring even more awareness to the importance of supporting the Caribbean, we are tapping into the power of social media, our local and international partnerships and the strong support that we have within Sandals Resorts International to galvanize the world to join in our efforts.”
Since its inception in 2009, the Sandals Foundation has worked with its extensive network of donors, volunteers, partners and team members to implement projects and programmes valued at over US$58 million. The Foundation has worked with 578 schools across the region, impacted over 348,000 community members and reached over 43,000 people through environmental programmes.
“We have been very fortunate in the support we have received over the past 10 years that has allowed us to impact so many people across the region,” said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation. “It has been especially gratifying to know that we have uplifted the spirits and improved the quality of life for thousands of children and adults alike and this has fueled us to make this significant commitment for the way forward.”
The Sandals Foundation has constructed three early childhood institutions, awarded 180 five year scholarships to deserving students, implemented programmes to promote literacy and technological advancements and completed major infrastructural developments to schools. The Foundation has also taken significant strides to protect the environment, managing two marine protected areas and supporting another four in Jamaica. The Foundation has also taken steps to reduce plastic pollution in the region and educate adults and children on the dangers of irresponsible waste disposal, distributing 5,000 reusable water bottles to students and 10,000 reusable shopping bags in an effort to promote environmental protection. The Sandals Foundation has also supported programmes aimed at protecting endangered species including turtles, conch, forestry and coral reefs.
The Foundation’s work in communities have seen the donation of critical medical equipment to hospitals, support for women farmers, pregnant teens, artisans and the provision of critical dental and eye care services to over 240,000 people.
Over the past decade, the Foundation has also extended support to neighbouring islands on the ground in times of crisis, including natural disasters in Haiti, Dominica, Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, and some of the out islands of the Bahamas.
Face It… The Caribbean Marine Ecosystem Needs Your Help Today
While the Sandals Foundation will continue to support projects across each of its core pillars, the organisation is placing a special emphasis on the environmental component in the years to come.
Clarke said the Sandals Group of Companies and the Sandals Foundation have already started to intensify their efforts by reducing plastic pollution through their operations which is indicative of the pledge they have made to protecting the Caribbean’s natural resources.
“The Caribbean Sea connects more than 700 islands and coastlines which is a source of livelihood for thousands of people. The role we all play in supporting protected areas and teaching the next generation the importance of caring for their precious environment is crucial now more than ever.” Clarke continued.
Last year, in partnership with Oceanic Global, a non-profit focused on providing solutions to issues impacting our oceans, all 19 Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts eliminated the 21,490,800 single-use plastic straws and stirrers used across the resorts each year, along with plastic laundry bags and plastic bags throughout gift shops. As of February 1, 2019, all resorts have eliminated Styrofoam. The company is currently exploring opportunities to eliminate other plastic across its resorts by September 2019.
Face the Future!
Over the next year, the non-profit commits to putting a special emphasis on expanding awareness and funding to support the beautiful, yet vulnerable, Caribbean ecosystem. With the help of partners, key stakeholders and volunteer team members, the Foundation is committed to engaging 100,000 people in environmental protection and conservation over the next 10 years. This commitment includes working with schools and educators to integrate marine education in their lesson plans, spearheading hands-on field trips to protected areas and engaging residents in coastal communities on proper solid waste management programmes. In line with its mission to reduce waste, the Foundation will also provide school children in the region with reusable lunch kits to reduce their dependence on Styrofoam.
Funds raised through donations and partnerships will help to expand on training workshops aimed at building the capacity of educators and club leaders on environmental conservation, as well as engage wardens and provide enforcement equipment to ensure proper management and protection of marine areas.
With even greater focus on turtle conservation, the Foundation will work to certify Sandals and Beaches Resorts in turtle protection, continuing support of the highly successful turtle tour and help to rehabilitate beaches to provide safer nesting grounds.
The Foundation pledges to strengthen the resilience of coral reefs in the region, with a commitment to plant 30,000 coral fragments onto reef systems over the next 10 years. As part of this, community members will receive training in coral restoration, and guests at Sandals and Beaches Resorts will be able to participate in coral planting dives.
With the devastating effects of climate change on the environment more evident than ever, Clarke urges residents and organisations across the region to join the pledge to make sustainable environmental practices a part of their everyday lives and operations.
Press Release: Sandals
Photo Caption: Sandals Foundation representatives with faculty and students of the Clement Howell High Schoo
ABOUT SANDALS FOUNDATION
The Sandals Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was created to continue and to expand upon the philanthropic work that Sandals Resorts International has undertaken. It is the culmination of three 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
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
“Founded on the principles of Unity, sisterhood and community service,” is how Alicia Swann, One Nation TCI Founder, and President, describes the organization as it gears up for its inaugural showing, to be marked by a pageant and parade of nations, family fun day and cultural show.
When Magnetic Media spoke to Swann she explained the inspiration behind the name.
“The reason why we chose ‘One Nation’ was because we wanted to ensure that all of our beautiful ladies within the Turks and Caicos feel as if they are a part of our society. Speaking with the ladies I’ve gotten the opinion that a lot of them feel as if they are in our country but they don’t actually feel fully a part of it,” she explained. With constants whose heritages span the DR and TCI, TC-Trinidadians and more the contest is showcasing the rich and diverse culture of the country.
At least two contestants flew in from the UK and the US to participate in the pageant and the event is not just an array of pretty girls.
“We’ve taken the aspects of pageantry to another level, the young ladies have a platform based on our pillars of the organization which include education and mental health,” Swann continued “We wanted to ensure that they understand the value and importance of having a role and voice in society.” 
The contestants were all allowed to choose an area to speak on and advocate for, and the President told Magnetic Media that so far the young women are taking the challenge seriously. There are 10 contestants overall, five in the ‘Miss’ category and five in the ‘Teen’ category.
The pageant is already receiving regional recognition as the eventual winner has been invited to take part in a regional pageant in St Kitts in August, a feat which Swann says she is extremely proud of.
In addition to that event a cultural showing, family fun day and parade of nations will be held.
“We will be honoring people from across the Turks and Caicos, out of every island, for their lifetime achievement in terms of giving back to their society. The persons being honoured are unsung heroes. They have been active in their communities in various roles and we felt the need to recognize all of them.” Swann explained.
The Founder didn’t share the names of those being honoured, preferring to leave it a surprise but did drop hints about who would be highlighted during the event; a smiling clinic nurse in South Caicos, a Grand Turk Taxi driver committed to the island’s development, a dedicated principal from North Caicos, a shipping pioneer from North Caicos as well and a creative founder from Providenciales.
“Our company is huge on ensuring that the community is involved and a part of doing that is ensuring that persons in the community are honoured,” the president said.
Several sponsors have stepped up to the plate including
No monetary support has come from TCIG but endorsements from both Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, and Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism, have been shared and the girls are currently undergoing intense training with a pageant coach in preparation for their big night.
Swann is hoping that once the community has a chance to see what One Nation TCI is doing they’ll understand the importance of the events,
“We are a diverse culture and society and– we want people to understand the importance of diversity, supporting our young ladies and empowering them so they can see they have a role in the Turks and Caicos– The more we offer our young ladies [the more] we are able to retain that talent. Once they feel empowered the sky’s the limit.”
The Pageant and Crowning will be on the 25 and 26th of April while the parade and family fun day will be held on the 27th.
Caribbean News
Agriculture Ministry Providing Two Water Trucks to Serve St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine
#Kingston, Jamaica, April 24, 2024 – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is to unveil two more water trucks this week, which will be used to service communities in St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine.
Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
He also informed that of the $90 million earmarked to support farmers being impacted by the current drought, the Ministry will be
providing additional support for storage and drip-irrigation systems.
“So, we have targeted about 600 water tanks and about 400 12-millimetre drip irrigation hoses, and that distribution has already started. Additionally, we have earmarked about $8 million to really help with our livestock farmers,” Mr. Green said.
“We know the difficulty that you’re facing now in this time; [it’s] very hard to get the right nutritional support for your animals. As such, we will be providing some hay, and we will [also] provide some trucking of water to you. Again, our livestock farmers, if you are in need, please contact the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and let us see how we can help in these times,” he further stated.
Mr. Green also encouraged farmers to download the RADA App, so that the Agency can “help guide you, not only in relation to what is happening on the rainfall side, but also in relation to your integrated pest management”.
“We do see some increases of certain types of pests during this time, and it’s important that our farmers are paying attention to that. It’s also important that you’re taking drought management seriously [by undertaking] soil mulching, looking at planting drought-tolerant crops, timely harvesting, implementing land husbandry treatments and contour ditches,” he stated.
Contact: Latonya Linton
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, speaking during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
Donald De La Haye Photo
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