MORE than 250 volunteers from Sandals and Beaches Resorts ventured into districts across Jamaica to spearhead projects in aid of community development and in keeping with this year’s Labour Day theme ‘Ramp Up The access – Show We Care’.

The projects included the establishment of recreational areas, painting and soft upgrades of buildings, and many other refurbishing activities — all in an effort to positively impact schools and the scores of community residents they serve.

In the Ocho Rios region, team members from Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Beaches Ocho Rios and Sandals Upton Estate Golf and Country Club ensured that Salmon Basic and Labyrinth Primary schools received extensive upgrading.

At Salmon Basic School in Exchange, St Ann, team members upgraded the play areas and painted the entire school, inclusive of the principal’s office and canteen. A section of the adjoining church also received a facelift.

Chairman of the school board, Marvin Boyd, who participated in the activities, was effusive in his praise for the Sandals team and their efforts.

“The school looks almost brand new, and it’s thanks to you,” he gushed. “What you have done is a labour of love. You didn’t have to come but you did anyway, and when school resumes on Monday the students will have bright smiles on their faces.”

Labyrinth Primary School in St Mary also received a much-needed facelift from Sandals and Beaches team members, residents, and representatives of the parent-teacher association. The volunteers power-washed specific areas of the school, mowed the large lawn, painted the façade, and painted motivational murals for the children on some walls.

“We are privileged to have Sandals and Beaches Resorts choose Labyrinth Primary School for their Labour Day project,” said Principal Uvelyn Barrett-Rose. “To say that we are grateful is to say it mildly. The school family is extremely appreciative of the work done today. It was indeed heart-warming to see how much work was done. It was a pleasure to see how the staff, parents, and community members worked as a team. I wish that the cohesiveness shown today is something that every community could experience as we live together in harmony not only for one day, but every day.”

Narda Davis, a proud Labyrinth Primary past student and team member from Beaches Ocho Rios, expressed joy.

“I am honoured to have participated in this Labour Day project sponsored by the company I work for. We, as a community, are filled with gratitude for this tremendous effort today to brighten up our community school and to bring smiles to us and even a bigger smiles to our children of Labyrinth Primary School. We thank you, Beaches and Sandals, from the bottom of our hearts. We welcome this project and many more in the future. We were honoured to have you in our community,” she said.

In a continued commitment to supporting mental health awareness and holistic development, the Sandals South Coast team ventured to Black River Primary and Infant School to beautify the peace garden. That included cleaning, debushing, painting, and adding plants and benches to the area. They also created and installed signs with words of encouragement.

That initiative is part of the resort’s ongoing collaboration with the school’s guidance counselling department which recently conducted wellness sessions for both boys and girls, led by the resort’s team members.

“The peace garden is a space where we can engage students privately, providing a safe environment for them to regulate their emotions and express themselves. It also serves as a place for teachers to offer one-on-one support to students who may need individualised attention,” said the school’s guidance counsellor Daphnie Jones-Foster.

“We are grateful to the Sandals South Coast team for helping us in our vision to foster emotional intelligence and providing a relaxing space for our students and the future of Jamaica, to clear their minds. We are confident that the students will be amazed by the transformation,” she added.

Meanwhile, 34 students and 17 staff members at Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf are now enjoying a refreshed space after volunteers from Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean, and Sagicor Foundation gave the school a facelift.

Throughout the day the volunteers applied fresh coats of paint and varnish to several areas, including the cafeteria, basketball court, sections of the vocational training centre, and restrooms in the meeting hall. Additionally, they revitalised an existing seating area and beautified the landscaping.

Located in the cool hills of Eden in St James, Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf has been serving the community since 1985.

In Negril a team of 30 volunteers from Sandals and Beaches Negril resorts came together to make a significant impact at West End Early Childhood Institute. The enthusiastic group devoted their time to a comprehensive clean-up of the school compound, ensuring a safer and more pleasant environment for the children. They also undertook various repair projects and refurbished the playground, adding vibrant new life to the area.

The volunteers also enhanced the school’s aesthetics by engaging in gardening and landscaping efforts, creating a beautiful and nurturing space for learning and play.