#Providenciales, August 12, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – A couple of weeks of sweat equity and over $10,000 in donated paint and professional painters will ensure the new school year is more aesthetically appealing and conducive for learning for the 585 students of the Ianthe Pratt Primary School (IPPS) in the Bight.
“We thank Sandals Foundation for all that they are doing because we know
that when the children return to school in September, they’re going to be excited
and happy, because they are going to be basically in a new
school. Outside is painted, inside is painted, doors will be painted
and I know the teachers will be so grateful. So thank you!”
The Sandals Foundation volunteers of Beaches Resort, which sits next to
the school, began the work on Friday with tremendous help from TCI Paint &
Supply.
Wendy-Faye Rodriquez, project manager from Beaches Resort explained the
mission of the 35 volunteers from Beaches and 15 volunteers from ER
Construction.
“Sandals Foundation is in a joint venture with TCI Paint which supplied
us with the necessary paint materials and supply of the different paint
brushes, rollers and the tools required to do this job. We are very
happy to have TCI Paint and ER Construction, not only did TCI Paint donate the
paint and supplies but ER Construction to actually have professional painters,
painting here with us.”
Minister of Education, Karen Malcolm was joined by her Director of
Education, Edgar Howell in the announcement of the big donation for the Ianthe
Pratt Primary School family.
“I am elated for the work that Sandals Foundation and TCI Paint along
with their partners are doing here at the school. At the Ministry of
Education, we are always grateful for those in our community, our corporate
partners who come on board and assist us during the summer
holidays. This is not the first project that Sandals has done, I can
recall them helping us with Enid Capron as well as Clement Howell High School.”
TCI Paint & Supply owner Brenton Berry’s wife is a former teacher at
IPPS and that is admittedly a part of the inspiration for his company ‘jumping
at the chance’ to support the project.
“Ianthe Pratt holds a very special place in my heart because my wife
actually taught here for quite some time, so its nice to be able to give back
to the community. It’s nice to be a part of good things going on.”
Eleven-year-old TCI Paint & Supply was asked to come on board by the
Sandals Foundation.
“I think it is a testament of Sandals Foundation and all of the other
people that are here working, volunteering their time to take care of the
future of the country; they are the leaders and the future of the
country. We are proud to be a part of it.”
The school grounds and classrooms have by now been cleaned-up in
preparation for the new coats of paint, aimed at beautifying the buildings and
classrooms.
“We also have volunteers who are here to help clean the areas, the
doors, the windows, the ceilings the fans, the light fixtures; whatever is
needed for us to apply the quality paint we received to these areas,” said Mrs.
Rodriquez, who added that, “We are grateful that the Ministry of Education has
allowed us and opened arms to us to be here to make this venture, a successful
venture for us and our future leaders, our kids of this school.”
A message of care for the facilities which came from the Minister was
not merely for IPPS children, but for students at public schools across the
country, said Minister Malcolm.
“There is a lot that is going into ensuring you have comfortable
environments, so I would ask that you take care of it, just like you would take
care of your homes. You spend most of your time during the day here
at Iathe Pratt and I would encourage you to do your best to ensure that your surroundings
are kept clean, your classrooms are kept clean, put your garbage in the bins
and just help your teachers by behaving and learning because you are here in
school to learn.”
It will mean Ianthe Pratt Primary teachers return in August to fresh
looking classrooms and it will mean, the same for students in September – all
agreed this is imperative for a successful education.
Mr. Berry concluded: ‘It’s gonna be a brand-new school once Sandals Foundation is done with it.”
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#iantheprattbeautificationproject
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