Breathless.
In awe.
Astounded.
Bursting with some strange combination of heartache and joy that I had never felt before.
This is how I would begin to describe the incredible day my girls and I had when we embarked on our journey with Beaches Resorts and the Sandals Foundation. Our destination; the Mount Airy School in the Mocho Mountains of Clarendon Parish in Jamaica.
Our group of writers, photographers, bloggers and children rolled up in our air conditioned vans, unloaded into the heat, and made the short walk across the hot dusty yard towards the school house. These little people were waiting for us, just peeking out through their large classroom door. 
Everything they were feeling was written all over their beautiful faces. They were bursting with anticipation, waiting for their Christmas party to begin. What they couldn’t possibly know? Their guests for the day, the BeachesMoms, were equally giddy with anticipation and excitement. We dropped off the gifts we had carried with us from Canada, and waited for the celebration of the day to begin.
As the children filed out of the school, I snuck in and took a peek.
The rules of their school, not so different from home.
Their classrooms, clearly worlds apart from ours.
My girls and I had the extreme pleasure of lending a hand during the festivities. Pouring juices, and handing out cake and drinks to the patiently waiting crowd. 
We listened and clapped along to the performances of drummers, singers and spirited dancers. I was left with a smile, goose bumps and a couple of tears. So much sweetness, so much heart! It continues to amaze me that no matter where you go, children everywhere are the same.
Everyone was truly having an incredible time, and this dancer giving it her all in her socked feet, she was a show stopper! 
My heart melted a little more with each and every smile.
Soon it was time for Santa to arrive, along with a few more special guests!
I watched, holding my breath, wondering which children would receive the gifts we had brought from Canada. Suddenly wishing we had filled more then one small suitcase with presents. Desperately wishing I had thought to pack a bag of gifts for the teachers and Principal of this small but mighty school.
One of our gifts went to this little darling in the blue dress. A girl, who’s friends were quick to tell me, had Autism but they were looking out for her. They were her best friends; my heart. I left a little bit of my heart with her and with Jamaica that day. I knew then this is where I was supposed to be and what I was supposed to be doing. Paying it forward with my own children in a very small way, spreading the word that we can make a difference in the lives of others with small gestures of kindness, love and donations. The Sandals Foundation is truly doing incredible things for their community. I urge you all to visit their site, see what they are doing, and help if you can.
This was an experience neither myself nor my girls will ever forget. 
This is the joy of paying it forward.
These are the faces that made me want to find a way to do more.
Learn more about the incredible things happening by visiting the Sandals Foundation website at www.sandalsfoundation.org, or following along on Facebook and Twitter @SandalsFdn A heart felt thank you to Beaches Resorts and Sandals Foundation for making this visit possible for me and my family.
fun, fun, fun. what a way to get involved.
What a great experience and I’m so happy you shared it!
What a fantastic cause and it’s wonderful that your kids could come with you to do this. It’s a great example to them of giving back
This may have been my best Christmas gift this year, the opportunity to take this trip with my girls 🙂
this looks so amazing. thanks for the great read.
Thank you for following along, such a pleasure to cover this event!
I watched you all on instagram and loved each picture. These shots of the children are priceless, Stephanie. Loved reading this and seeing that sandals gives back. That’s something every company and brand should strive to do.
Thank you so much for following along on Instagram! The children were amazing and I adored that we had time to really chat with a few, and my girls got to get in there and help. I adore that Sandals and Beaches is a company that really does give back to their community, it makes you want to hop on a plane to one of their resorts doesn’t? “)
That is an experience of a lifetime! Kudos to Sandals for doing this!
I completely agree! Kudos to Sandals and Beaches!
That trip looks amazing!!! I imagine it must have done just as much for your heart and soul as it did for the kids you were there visiting!!! 🙂 Thank goodness for people like your girls and yourself who take time out to truly be there for others, its a beautiful thing!!!
It was only a day out of our lives but I hope it changed a little something in the outlook of the world for my children. They now really know how blessed they are and that they can make a difference. The people of the Sandals Foundation and Beaches Resorts are amazing, they do so much for their communities and we were just blessed to be guests for the day! 🙂
THIS IS AMAZING …. YOU ARE TRUE ANGLES ON EARTH MAKING A DIFFERENCE. MY DAUGHTER WENT TO PORTUE RICO ON A MISSIONS TRIP TO HELP A COMUNITY ITS SUCH A BREATH OF FRESH AIR TO SEE THE YOUTH TAKING PART IN HELPING THE PLANET BE A BETTER PLACE!!!!!
The very best part of this experience was having my girls with me. No matter how much you try and teach them that they are lucky and blessed, I don’t think it can truly hit home until they see if for themselves. My girls are 14 and 12 and will never ever forget this trip.
Thank you for your kind words!
Loves seeing and hearing about things such as this. Way to go Sandals and Beaches for giving back.! I would love to be involved in doing good deeds such as these but unable to travel so I do it in my own special little ways.
I firmly believe that every little bit helps! We were honoured to be a guest of Sandals Foundation and pay it forward, but I also instill in my girls that even the penny drives at school, donating used clothing, can drives, every little bit of good you put forward it the world helps!
What an amazing experience, kudos for Sandals and Beaches for doing this. When my daughters were in grade school we did the christmas shoe boxes full of goodies to send
I remember those shoe boxes! I believe some school still do those!
Now that I know how much Sandals and Beaches gives back to their community, it definitely puts their resorts a notch higher when I am picking places to visit with my family. They are making a huge difference in their communities.
wow thoughtful of you
It was truly our pleasure to be there, meet these children and be a guest of the Sandals Foundation.
GREAT BLOG
Thank you so much!
Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for reading!
They are so beautiful! It must of made you so happy inside to be able to give a hand! Thanks for sharing!
It has been just over a month now and am still glowing from the experience. I long to go back and pay it forward in a bigger way! Thanks for stopping by today 🙂
Looks like an incredible place, must make a lot of difference for the kids
I really do think this school and foundation make a huge difference in the lives of these children. We drove through some fairly impoverished areas before we reached this bright, happy school. It was amazing!