Sandals Foundation celebrates a decade of making a difference in the Caribbean
THE CARIBBEAN is arguably the most tourism-dependent region in the world. Not only does tourism provide employment both directly and indirectly for millions of people, it can also be utilised to drive positive change in communities. When the Stewart family opened their first resort in Montego Bay in 1981, they recognised just that and started working to bring about positive change in the nearby community of Flanker. Then, in 2009, the now globally recognised Sandals Resorts International launched the Sandals Foundation, providing travellers with the opportunity to play an even greater role in positively impacting the islands they have come to know and love.
Sandals and Beaches Resorts guests join in the development of the region by bringing muchneeded supplies to local schools, purchasing locally made products in the resort gift shops, and by making direct donations to their favourite projects. They also have the opportunity to experience the Caribbean through the foundation’s community tours to read to children, sample local cuisine, or witness the natural wonders of a turtle hatching.
Ten years after its inception, the Sandals Foundation is very proud of having worked together with its over 14,000 team members, travel partners, and guests to implement projects and programmes valued at over US$58 million across the Caribbean.
The foundation has focused on the pillars of community, education, and environment, undertaking projects such as refurbishing and equipping hospital wards, constructing schools, investing in paediatric cancer programmes, training teachers, providing skills training and sports outlets for disadvantaged youth, managing marine-protected areas, delivering disaster relief, providing free medical services in rural communities, and empowering women to change the outcomes of generations that follow.
From building sustainable linkages to the tourism industry with its projects in climate-smart agriculture and capacity building for local artisans to changing the outcomes of children through improved education, the Sandals Foundation remains committed to using tourism as a driving force for positive change across the Caribbean.