Some 65 children in the after-school programme of Child First Foundation in the Buena Vista community will now be able to create content for television thanks to the provision of audio-visual equipment by the Sandals Foundation.

Valued at some USD $4,000, the items which include a camera, wireless microphones, a video mixer switcher, and a controller now forms part of a television studio that can in fact provide national coverage.

The programme, spearheaded by Sandals Royal Curaçao Editor, Stephen St. Jago who also stands as Managing Director at Growpicture Media Production & TalkThat says the newly acquired equipment will enhance the offerings and operations of the after-school curriculum.

“The television studio will enable the production of informative and educational programmes through a unified platform which allows for national coverage. Our programme will feature contributions from children, parents and experts exploring various social and emotional topics.”

A lifelong dream of St. Jago to reinvest in the neighbourhood in which he was raised, the studio, he explains will also help develop important life skills.

“This platform offers numerous opportunities to our children and community to stream. The children will learn how to work with the equipment, collaborate in teams, produce, shoot, and present a programme.”

The development follows the Sandals Foundation’s installation of a computer lab at Child First Foundation in 2023. Patrice Gilpin, Public Relations Manager at Sandals Foundation says the space has been a beacon of hope for many.

“Since the installation of the computer lab, students and residents in the surrounding communities have enjoyed targeted lessons to sharpen their capacity to navigate the needs of today’s highly digital world. This TV studio will only further the skills being developed within this community and we are confident that the sky is the limit,” says Gilpin.

Community development forms a key area of investment for the Sandals Foundation wherever a Sandals Resorts operates. Since opening in 2022, the foundation has supported the implementation of key school infrastructure development projects, food security initiatives, youth sports programmes, biodiversity protection and marine conservation efforts.

Approximately 500 students from Leeward District Seventh Day Adventist Primary School, Layou Government School and Buccament Government School are now able to advance their digital literacy skills following recent donations of 50 desktop monitors, 47 chairs and eight (8) tables for the three schools’ computers labs, giving children critical access to technology.

The project, valued at some US $15,000 also involved internet installation, the refurbishing of tables, and the provision of keyboards, computer mice, retail systems and printers – made possible by Sandals Foundation Canadian partners Barter Network Ltd., Compugen Finance Inc., and James Sutton.

Special recipients at Leeward District Seventh Day Adventist Primary School were thrilled to see the opening of the school’s computer lab for the very first time following the handover of 15 desktop computers and accompanying resources, enhancing the learning experience of their 111 students.

At the handover and official opening of the school’s computer lab, the principal at Leeward District Seventh Day Adventist Primary School, Ginette Pierre, said the initiative has provided the students with essential tools needed to bolster their computer literacy in this digital age and has given them a renewed sense of learning.

“At Leeward District, we are preparing our children not only for now, but for eternity. We are living in a digital world, and with online learning and technological advancements, we are now able to help our children learn better. Not only our children, but also our teachers can now advance their work through the use of the internet for research and access to resources,” Ms. Pierre said.

Layou Government School received five (5) 8-ft tables and 20 chairs to accompany 20 desktop computers, and Buccament Government School also received new furniture to accommodate 15 desktop computers.

The principals at Layou Government School (Carmine Williams) and Buccament Government School (Milton Weekes) also echoed the sentiments of Ms. Pierre with regard to the multitude of benefits of students having direct access to computers and Internet connectivity.

“This is the age of information technology and the children today are technology natives,” said Ms. Williams. “Words cannot express fully just how appreciative we are for these tools that will help our students to navigate the digital world with the necessary skills!”

At the recent handover to Layou Government School, General Manager at Sandals Saint Vincent, Tamon Allen, said: “Sandals takes corporate social responsibility very seriously and we are always looking for ways in which we can invest in the communities within which we operate. It’s a symbiotic relationship because in order for the tourism and hospitality industries to flourish, so too must the people!”

Patrice Gilpin, Public Relations Manager at Sandals Foundation, said: “Digital literacy is a major area of focus within the education space. It is very important to build the capacity of students across the Caribbean to confidently navigate a world characterised by technology. . By no means should any child be left behind.”

The Sandals Foundation is committed to the growth and development of Caribbean schools, with a number of projects tailored to the creation and strengthening of key programmes and infrastructure, giving students tools that support their psychosocial and academic needs.

Project Lemon Aid, a community-driven education and research initiative led by Sharks4Kids is redefining how students in the Turks and Caicos Islands engage with marine science, shark conservation, and ocean literacy. Funded by the Sandals Foundation, Save Our Seas Foundation, and Rock the Ocean, the program has enjoyed key support from local partners—including the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR), Big Blue Collective, and the Ministry of Education. Together the team—delivers dynamic, curriculum-aligned experiences that bridge classroom learning with real-world shark research.

A cornerstone of the initiative is the opportunity for students to join scientists in the field to observe juvenile lemon sharks in their natural mangrove habitats. These immersive, hands-on experiences allow students to witness scientific research in action, learn field methods, and connect academic concepts to the vibrant marine ecosystems around them.

“Our goal is to empower students with knowledge and spark a lifelong interest in science and conservation,” said Jillian Morris, Founder and President of Sharks4Kids. “By bringing shark science directly into classrooms and providing immersive field experiences, we show students that science is not only important—it’s exciting and accessible.”

This year, the team hosted four field trips, bringing 31 students and teachers from Clement Howell High School, British West Indies Collegiate, and A. Louise Garland High School (Long Bay) into the field. Students participated in every stage of the research and data collection process, gaining firsthand insight into marine biology and conservation.

“The trip I had the privilege of attending was truly incredible. I thought it was eye-opening. Even though I’ve never been afraid of sharks, seeing them as babies and realizing just how small they are when they start changed how I view them. I learned so much, even in just a few hours. It was a fantastic experience, and I would recommend it to anyone—whether you’re afraid of sharks or not—because it really shows how amazing these animals are.”

— Keegan James, British West Indies Collegiate.

“We selected students for the Sharks4Kids activity because we believe in hands-on, immersive learning that sparks curiosity and deepens understanding of the world around us. These students showed remarkable enthusiasm, a thirst for knowledge, and a strong commitment to learning, making them ideal ambassadors for this exciting exploration into marine biology and conservation. We’re not just teaching facts; we’re cultivating future advocates for our planet.”

— Mr. Forbes, Principal, A. Louise Garland High School.

Project Lemon Aid is designed to ignite curiosity and inspire environmental stewardship. Interactive classroom lessons focus on lemon sharks, local ecosystems, and the critical role apex predators play in maintaining healthy oceans. These sessions align with local science standards and provide students with a unique opportunity to engage directly with marine biologists.

During the spring 2025 research trip, the Sharks4Kids team reached nearly 1,400 students across 11 schools and the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre. This included 16 individual sessions at Enid Capron Primary School, one of Providenciales’ largest government schools. Local team member Arenthia Baker, along with Kaylam Pratt and Bailey Stefani from Big Blue Collective, also visited schools in North and Middle Caicos, further extending the program’s reach.

“Our institution is committed to providing students with learning experiences that enhance personal growth and development,” said Sophia Garland, Principal of Enid Capron Primary School. “Learning about sharks helps dispel myths and misconceptions while deepening students' understanding of marine ecosystems. They gain valuable insight into the importance of conservation and the interconnectedness of all life.”

Forty-five (45) Senior Officers from three cohorts at the National Disaster Organisations (NDOs) and National Emergency Sectors in seventeen (17) Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Participating States have benefited from a Strategic Leadership Development training programme that is in its third year, building their capacity and advancing disaster preparedness and response across the Caribbean.

As we enter the Atlantic Hurricane Season (June 1 - November 30), Senior Officers from Anguilla, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, , Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia , Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands and British Virgin Islands have been equipped with strategic leadership skills to enhance their ability to develop and implement disaster preparedness plans, coordinate and manage emergency responses, and support recovery efforts to strengthen their coordination, communication, and leadership in times of emergency.

Taking a holistic approach to Disaster Risk Management, the intensive programme enhances leadership skills through six (6) courses over a six-month period with modules in Leadership, Strategic Management, Project Management, Financial Management, Proposal Writing, and Crisis Communication and Incident Management.

In partnership with Sandals Foundation and the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business (ALJGSB) at the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), the carefully curated curriculum successfully used interactive lectures, one-on-one coaching, and psychometric assessment to enhance officers’ approach to community wellbeing before, during and after a natural hazard.

Gayle Drakes, Education and Training Specialist at CDEMA, said, “The preventative approach to Disaster Risk Management at CDEMA is risk-reduction centred, emphasising an understanding of hazard exposure, vulnerabilities and capacities, and styling appropriate interventions for building more resilient communities.”

“By completing this three year programme with the Sandals Foundation, our region’s Senior Officers now have enhanced knowledge in advanced level competencies, all aimed at promoting our Comprehensive Disaster Management agenda [an integrated approach to risk management],” Drakes added.

“CDEMA is proud to have collaborated with the Sandals Foundation and the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business on this initiative to strengthen the foundation of national and regional resilience. As we enter the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, we are confident that this cadre of professionals is better equipped to lead preparedness, response, and recovery efforts that result in safeguarding lives and livelihoods throughout the Caribbean." said Executive Director of CDEMA, Elizabeth Riley.

Sandals Foundation, for its part, provided necessary funding to implement the programme for its three-year duration, valued at some US $150,000. Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at Sandals Foundation, says she is optimistic about the future for both NDO Officers and the citizens of the Caribbean.

“Improved Disaster Risk Management starts with our leaders. A holistic approach starts with education and training. When we equip our leaders with the resources they need, we feel confident in their ability to guide us toward a culture of preparedness and awareness, especially in the face of natural hazards,” said Clarke.

The Sandals Foundation has routinely partnered with organisations that promote disaster preparedness and building resilience across the Caribbean – training NDO Officers and small business operators, and educating youth and community members in safety protocols and disaster mitigation and prevention. Some of its partners to date have included the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Jamaica, and the Youth Emergency Action Committee (YEAC) in Grenada.