PRESS RELEASE – After a successful fundraising effort last year in the wake of Tropical Storm Erika, the Sandals Foundation partnered with the Rotary Club of Dominica and the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development to provide hope to the community of Petite Savanne.
The community was one of the worst hit, declared a disaster area and many of its residents were forced to relocate from their homes following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, last August.
As part of its commitment to education across the Caribbean region, the Sandals Foundation, the non-profit arm of Sandals Resorts International, felt compelled to lend assistance to the Petite Savanne Primary School, now operating at a new location in Roseau. To provide the students with inspiration in their new school, the Sandals Foundation created a brand new multi-purpose room following a month long fundraising campaign.
To foster an environment of creative thinking and learning, the Sandals Foundation has outfitted the new multipurpose room with brand new Dell computers and a printer, a projector and projector screen, new school furniture and floor rugs, over 1,500 brand new books, educational manipulatives and a variety of school supplies for students ages 5 – 12 years. Additionally, funds raised were allocated for a painted wall mural, installation of electricals, and the construction of computer desks, tables, chairs and bookshelves.
The project, valued at over US$32,000.00, was supported by several partners of the Sandals Foundation who joined in to lend their corporate backing including; Scholastic Book Fairs who donated over 361 books and provided a substantial discount towards the purchase of additional workbooks and other educational items for both the students and teachers; Tropicars/Africair who donated school supplies and toys; Dell who provided the computers and printers for purchase at a discount; and School Specialty who donated over US$8,000 in school, sport and art supplies.
With the on the ground expertise, knowledge and support of the Rotary Club of Dominica and the Ministry of Education, the Foundation was able to seemlessly partner in this worthwhile endeavor to ensure the swift delivery of these critical items to the Petite Savanne Primary School students.
“The Rotary Club of Dominica is very honoured to have partnered with the Sandals Foundation in this extremely worthy gesture. The people of Petite Savanne and especially the children are still very traumatized by their experiences, which drastically changed their lives overnight. This Multi-purpose Room is a just small way of bringing some comfort to them and showing them that there a lots of people who care about their wellbeing. Sincere gratitude is extended to the Sandals Foundation and the many sponsors who made this donation possible. May God continue to bless you richly,” said President of the Rotary Club of Dominica, Annie Edwards.
Heidi Clarke, Director of Programmes for the Sandals Foundation, said, “It is so important, in times of crisis, that we work together with our neighbouring islands to help them with their recovery. We are very pleased to have partnered with the Rotary Club of Dominica to make this multipurpose room possible.”
“Change, especially when it comes suddenly in the form of a natural disaster can be very traumatic, in particular for children. We hope this project helps to bring the children of Petite Savanne school the comfort in knowing that there are so many people out there that care, and that in time of crisis there will always be a helping hand,” she added.
The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development is of the view that the Multi-Purpose Room will enhance learning at the school.
“We are extremely pleased with this facility, funded by the Sandals Foundation and supported by the Rotary Club of Dominica. I believe our students will realise significant benefits from Multi-Purpose Room because it will provide them with access to new information that can only add value to their learning experiences here at the Petite Savanne Primary School,” Chief Education Officer Melena Fontaine said.
Mrs Clarke also said the Foundation was grateful to its great donors and partners, amazing team members in every island and caring guests, who had made the project possible.
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