Sandals Foundation Educates and Empowers the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards During World Oceans Day Celebrations

KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 22, 2023 —With a commitment to protecting the Caribbean’s breathtaking natural resources and the unique ecosystems that support their health, the Sandals Foundation engaged schools across the Caribbean in commemoration of World Oceans Day to help students develop an appreciation for the biodiversity of the aquatic space.

“Environmental education is a big part of what we do at the Sandals Foundation because informed people can make better decisions,” said Georgia Scarlett, the Sandals Foundation’s Environmental Projects Coordinator.

“In keeping with this year’s theme for World Oceans Day which speaks to the need for us to conserve our wonderful marine resources for future generation it was important for us to engage children across the region through environmental education sessions. By empowering children to take action for environmental protection, we are creating a strong platform for the sustained protection of our region’s natural resources,” she added.

Across the islands of The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, and Grenada, teams of Sandals Foundation Ambassadors with the use of marine-focused worksheets, story books and other fun learning materials,  engaged students on a cross section of topics including plastic pollution, overfishing, marine sanctuary management, as well as biodiversity and coral health and function.

Robin Cox-Foster, principal at Thelma Lightbourne Primary was elated to have the Sandals Foundation Ambassadors engage students in this manner.

“The curriculum for our upper school students got a major reinforcement from the Sandals Foundation team as they shared in the World Oceans Day presentation. The coral reef benefits and the need for each of us to support the financial protection needed for the fisher folks and other entrepreneurs as well as the tourists who visit for scuba diving and marine life exploration were discussed.”

For 12 year old Shenrika Gabriel, the day’s session was enlightening as the protection of the corals and the wider benefits for the islands were discussed. Today was super exciting as I have learnt that the protection of the ocean and the corals is everybody’s business. The little things that we do will definitely provide for us the environmental protection needed for each of the islands in the long term. The team from Beaches Turks and Caicos made the activities for us very entertaining and fun.”

Earline Raphael, Purchasing Manager and avid Sandals Foundation Ambassador described the day’s proceedings as a success noting, “the opportunity that I had to share with these students was creative and fun. These students were very engaging and knowledgeable about their roles in providing protection for the environment and the corals. They even referenced a previous activity where the Sandals Foundation planted trees at their school as one of the major ways for them to protect the environment and the oceans. Another high point for me was helping them with the activities where they were able to draw and colour corals throughout the day.”

“What resonated best with the children at the Charles Hubert James Primary school in North Caicos was the way that these children were able to share in the group discussions on how to protect the oceans and the corals. They shared that even though the island depends a lot on the tourism industry, it is everybody’s responsibility to protect the fishing industry by not over fishing or deliberately damaging the coral which houses many marine life,” Mary Williams, Kids Camp Counselor shared.

Over the years, the Sandals Foundation has led and supported numerous initiatives geared towards increasing environmental education in schools and communities across the region.

In collaboration with marine education organization Sharks4Kids, the Sandals Foundation has engaged more than 2,000 children in interactive learning sessions about the ocean’s most curious creatures. Participating students learn about shark conservation, shark tagging, and the important role sharks play in the Caribbean waters.

Photo Captions: 

Header: Shanice Maxwell, Sandals Foundation Ambassador from Beaches Turks and Caicos Entertainment department shares with some students from the Charles Hubert James Primary School in North Caicos during the World Oceans Day presentation at the institution.

1st insert: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Director of Sales, Groups and Conventions and Sandals Foundation Ambassador Tanya Swann shares a moment with students at the Charles Hubert James Primary school in North Caicos during the World Oceans Day presentation.

2nd insert: Uldean Harris-Wright, grade six teacher at the Charles Hubert James Primary school pauses from her interaction with the students during World Oceans Day activities at the school recently.

3rd insert: Grade six students from the Thelma Lightbourne Primary school consult each other as they share in their group presentation during the World Oceans Day presentation with the Sandals Foundation team from the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort.