How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

A Four Hour Plane Ride, A World Apart

in Travel on

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. 
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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.

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Showing us their classrooms where they work and learn each day.

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Stopping to show off for those smiles and huge personalities for the camera.

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A few even mugged for photos with me.

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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.  IMG_4201

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.

    • Comments

    4. Hard to understand how we can get on a plane and in a few hours be in a place that is so different, it does make one appreciate what we have. Don’t take anything for granted. They are poor, but seem to be happy, though.

      • It really does make you appreciate what we have. I’m going to Turks and Caicos with my girls in July and they will have an opportunity to visit a school while we are there. I think it’s so important to give back every chance we get and continue to be thankful for all we have.

      • The best part, anyone staying at a Sandals or Beaches Resort can have a very similar experience!

    6. Oh those lovely children. Their smiles make me smile! What an amazing opportunity.

    7. It’s easy to see how those beautiful children could steal your heart.They look so grateful and I am glad you had this chance to help them. This is a sweet story!

      • The kids were thrilled, and imagine all they will accomplish with all of those brand new computers!

    11. What a fabulous opportunity and I love how it inspired you to donate to the Sandals Foundation.WTG and thank you for sharing this great post with us 🙂

      • Thanks so much Wanda! It was an experience I will never forget and truly one of the best parts of this getaway.

      • I think it might be time we plan a couples or Beaches vacation, take all the kids, and give back a little more. 🙂