Education Initiatives at a Glance

THE SANDALS FOUNDATION EDUCATION INITIATIVES AT A GLANCE

The Sandals Foundation believes education, at all levels, offers the greatest opportunities for positive change in the Caribbean.

Each year, the Sandals Foundation supports thousands of students in various educational facilities. A primary focus is to ensure as many children, youth and adults as possible have the educational opportunities they need to reach their full potential. Programs under this pillar include: Care for Kids Program, adopted schools, Reading Road Trip, student mentorship, book drives, literacy programs, and fundraising for new libraries and computer facilities. Here is an overview, of the various programs and initiatives which the Sandals Foundation is committed to and helps support across the Caribbean region:

CARE FOR KIDS SCHOLARSHIPS The Sandals Foundation identifies students who are moving on to secondary school and provides access to mentorship, guidance and scholarships. A five-year program awarded annually to 50 students, offers financial support to cover the cost of tuition, uniforms, books and other needed supplies through secondary and tertiary education.

Since 1988, there have been over 300 beneficiaries of this program, who have received financial aid for education.

Recently, the Foundation has incorporated a community service component to the programme, which allows students to “give back” to their local communities.

ADOPTED SCHOOLS The Sandals Foundation has adopted a total of 26 schools in nearby communities with the overall goal to bring them to a much better standard so that young minds can flourish. From providing support such as school supplies, books, computers and sports equipment, to assisting with teacher training and improvements to buildings, electrical and water supplies, the Sandals Foundation lends its support on many levels.

As part of its success, the Foundation has participated in the following:

 Built the first environmentally friendly school from the ground up, Culloden Early Childhood Institute, in Westmoreland, Jamaica in September 2011, home to 120 students; Culloden was adopted by The Ministry of Education as one of a select number of early childhood institutions across the island to become fully subsidized by the Government of Jamaica.  Constructed the Seville Golden Pre School in St. Ann, Jamaica, home to over 100 students, providing additional classrooms and a brand new computer lab.

 Ongoing enhancements to the Boscobel Primary School in St. Mary, Jamaica saw the addition of a brand new roof, a new canteen complete with picnic benches, manicured lawns, a fenced compound, security personnel, and a functioning computer lab.

 In Saint Lucia, the addition of playground, landscaping, computers and other major enhancements took place at Balata Primary School.

 The Sandals Foundation, in partnership with the Catholic School Board in the Bahamas, implemented a year-long training programme for teachers in Mathematics. Students in grades four and five saw an improvement in their marks by 26 per cent. Meanwhile, grade six students saw an increase by 16 per cent in their final Math exams in comparison to the previous year.

 For 2012, a major focus is on providing educational training to teachers and parenting workshops for the local communities.

READING ROAD TRIP In 2011, the Foundation launched its first ‘voluntourism’ initiative, The Reading Road Trip, aimed at improving literacy, comprehension and vocabulary skills among students 5 – 7 years of age. This weekly excursion, available through Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours, allows guests of Sandals and Beaches Resorts to visit one of the Foundation’s adopted schools to lend literacy support to students for a nominal, tax-deductible donation.

IN KIND GIVING The Foundation has partnered with a number of corporate entities and individuals to provide students and teachers with the educational tools they need such as books, school supplies, computers, toys, board games, and sports equipment.

 Through a partnership with Pack for a Purpose, which began in 2012, vacationers to Sandals and Beaches Resorts can bring needed supplies (up to 5 lbs.) to the islands they are visiting to be delivered to the Sandals Foundation’s adopted schools in each of the regions.

 Since 2007, the Great Shape! SuperKids Literacy program has worked alongside the Sandals Foundation and seen the contribution of nearly 50,000 books, more than 300 computers, applicable upgrades, literacy training for teachers, and the establishment of an environmental component via “green teams” at its adopted schools in Jamaica.

 Travel partner, Air Canada Vacations has donated more than 4,300 books to the Rosseau Combined School in Saint Lucia, home to 143 students, ages 5 – 12 years of age.

#### About The Sandals Foundation The Sandals Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was created to continue and to expand upon the philanthropic work that Sandals Resorts International has undertaken. It is the culmination of three decades of dedication to playing a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where we operate across the Caribbean. The Sandals Foundation funds projects in three core areas: education, community and the environment. One hundred percent of the monies contributed by the general public to the Sandals Foundation go directly to programs benefiting the Caribbean community. To learn more about the Sandals Foundation, visit online at www.sandalsfoundation.org.