Sandals, Pricemart support families’ Back to School efforts

Recognizing the challenges that would be faced by many parents and guardians as they prepared their children and wards for the new school year, Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International has teamed up with Price Philanthropies and PriceSmart Barbados to lend support of close to BBD $20,000 to the island’s families.

This September marks the first full academic year of students returning to face-to-face classes bringing with it an unparalleled excitement and anxiety for students and parents alike. To aid with the financial needs, borne even more now as families continue to navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic, Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation expressed delight at its ability to broaden its outreach through the newly cemented partnership.

“Back to school outreach has been a staple activity for the Sandals Foundation, but this year, more than ever, we are grateful to be able to bring a wider level of relief to families grappling with the uncertainties brought on by the pandemic.”

Clarke, who described the partnership with Price Philanthropies and PriceSmart Barbados as a blessing, said the newly formed relationship will be instrumental in doing even more.

“We are firm believers in the value of partnerships as they make it possible to reach more people and do more through shared resources. The relationship with Price Philanthropies formed out of a recognition of the similarities in our missions to inspire and empower the lives of persons who call the Caribbean home. We are humbled by what we have been able to do today and look forward to future efforts across Barbados and the region.”

Sandals Foundation volunteers with Sandals Barbados General Manager Nicholas Simmonds and principal of St. Christopher Primary Rosalind Goodridge.

For David Price, Vice President of Environment and Social Responsibility for PriceSmart, partnering with Sandals Foundation was a natural fit.  “Not having a pencil, notebook, or basic school supplies should never be the thing that keeps a child from going to school.  PriceSmart and Price Philanthropies have developed the Learning and Growing program which provides school supplies to thousands of students in our Spanish-speaking Latin American markets.  Sandals Foundation’s vast experience with this kind of support is helping expand our reach to help students in the Eastern Caribbean.”

Over 40 volunteers from Sandals Royal Barbados, PriceSmart Barbados, students of the Barbados Community College gathered recently at the Sandals Royal Ballroom to carefully pack, then distribute 1,000 bag packs of stationery and learning supplies to families.

Sandals Barbados General Manger Nicholas Simmonds described the atmosphere as fulfilling.

“Fresh off the backs of the recent iCare Clinic we now turn our attention to the students of Barbados. We are immensely thrilled to be able to do this with our new partners and some of the familiar faces of our wonderful volunteers.”

For Rosalind Goodridge, principal of St. Christopher Primary, the resources received will help the school to reach a larger number of the students, especially those whose families have been impacted financially by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The packages have come at an ideal time – just ahead of the start to the new school term. They will allow us to greatly enhance the assistance the school is offering to several students. It has been a difficult year for some, therefore we are extremely grateful to the Sandals Foundation and PriceSmart Barbados for including St. Christopher Primary in this venture.”

Across the Caribbean, the Sandals Foundation has invested in the readiness of schools and educators by providing teacher training to support the new learning environment, providing digital learning devices, furniture and other classroom resources, installing playground equipment, water and sanitation facilities, upgrading bathrooms, kitchens and other key infrastructure.

(PR)