This week I had the opportunity to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony at a school supported by the Sandals Foundation in Ochi Rios Jamaica. Tucked away beside a tiny church was the Boscobel Public school. You could hear the school before you saw it, stuffed full of more than 250 children dancing, laughing, and brimming over with joy and happiness. All the kids, in Grades One through Six, were excited by the visitors from far away gathered in their tiny school to celebrate the opening of their brand new computer lab.
The children put on dances and plays for the visitors, speeches were heard and thanks were given. Then the ceremonial ribbon was cut and the computer lab all in one large air-conditioned room was officially opened. A momentous occasion.
It was heart warming to be able to steal a few minutes with some very grateful kids as they just acted like themselves. Enjoying some vanilla, pistachio or rum and raisin ice cream.
Showing us their classrooms where they work and learn each day.
Stopping to show off for those smiles and huge personalities for the camera.
A few even mugged for photos with me.
When I asked this young man if I could take his picture?
His response was “Yes please Miss.”; and with that one look, he stole my heart. 
I’m grateful to have had this opportunity to meet these incredible kids, for the chance to donate to the Sandals Foundation, and for the important work Sandals Resorts does to support their own communities. They are harnessing the power and passion of the Sandals and Beaches brand to invest in their own communities, and in the process creating better learning environments for the children of the Caribbean. It’s inspiring to see the love and dedication the entire Sandals family has for supporting and giving back to their own communities.
For more information on the Sandals Foundation or how you can help, find them on social on Twitter and Facebook.
What an amazing opportunity! Definitely memories made!
Sandals and Beaches Resorts truly provide their guests with a unique way to help support their communities. Memories made for sure.
Wow- sounds like you created some amazing memories for the kids and yourself!
I consider myself lucky to have been there at the opening of the computer lab and am already counting the days until I can return!
that sounds like a great memory you’ve made
It was an experience I won’t soon forget 🙂
A truly memorable experience! I don’t think I would want to leave 🙂
I was one of the last people out of the yard 🙂 It was a great day.
wow, I am sure they were grateful for you being there. The singing and dancing makes me
think that they were/are happy.
The children seemed to love to perform for us, and I know they enjoyed having their picture taken. It was a very special day.
Thanks for sharing this, we are not aware of these good programmes.
You’re welcome! I hope you found this information as inspirational as I did!
Wow, this is wonderful. I’m glad you got to go and see this, and that sandals could help.
Sandals does amazing things for their community and I was so honoured to have had the opportunity to participate. They make you want to give back with every vacation!
So much of your vacation looks to have been fabulous, but this would have been an experience to truly remember.
These are the kind of moments you never forget, and honestly, this was my favourite part of the entire week.
What a great opportunity you had to be part of that wonderful celebration. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I was honoured to be part of this celebration. It was one I will never forget. Thanks for following along on the adventure!
This would definitely be a treasured memory for sure. I am very happy to learn that sandals support their communities. Wonderful!
Sandals and Beaches Resorts are huge supporters of their communities. One more reason I’m happy to visit, write about and vacation at their resorts.
Its crazy the difference a mere 4 hours can make…
We are so blessed, so happy to have been able to pay it forward a tiny bit.
What an amazing opportunity! Thank you for sharing your experience 🙂
It really was an incredible opportunity, thanks for reading 🙂
Beautiful story ! Thanks for sharing !! 🙂
You’re welcome, thanks for following along!
I’m so glad I got to share that experience with you. It was incredible!
So happy to have had this experience with you, already looking forward to our next adventure!
Wow what an amazing opportunity. Ive always wanted to go visit and help one of those communities. What an eye opener
One more reason to visit a Sandals or Beaches Resort, they can assist you in setting up one of these incredible experiences.