SANDALS Foundation has partnered with Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) and Coca Cola Latin America (LA) to execute a transformative project focused on building community peace and well-being in Steer Town, St Ann, under the Positive Youth Engagement and Youth Economic Empowerment project.

A major component of the project has been the Child Resiliency Programme (CRP), geared at engaging and promoting positive behaviour among children of Steer Town, in partnership with Steer Town Primary and Basic School.

The VPA Steer Town Youth Intervention Project has, since 2023, engaged Steer Town Primary through food security initiatives, life skills workshops in literacy and interpersonal development, sports and music-based activities, and curriculum enrichment for students at the primary school level, while encouraging parent collaboration and involvement with parent education training sessions.

Through volunteer efforts of the landscaping department and the wider Sandals Dunn’s River Resort team, the Sandals Foundation has been able to successfully support conservation efforts at the school through tree planting, supporting the psychosocial development of students by establishing a peace garden, and develop and maintain a greenhouse to support local food production and students’ nutritional needs.

Sandals Foundation also provided a stove to bolster the school’s feeding programme and provided students with complimentary hot meals to not only improve their nourishment, but also to increase their overall attendance — ultimately strengthening their holistic growth.

Principal at Steer Town Primary and Junior High School Michelle White-Guy, said, “It was truly a blessing to have Sandals partnering with the Steer Town Primary and Infant School throughout the academic year 2023-2024. The projects they undertook have tremendously impacted the students, parents, and staff of this noble institution. The renovation of the peace garden, Teacher’s Day Luncheon, donation to our breakfast programme, a Christmas treat for lower primary students, and our child resilience programme have all caused a positive change in the lives of the students in their academics, behaviour, and self-esteem”.

Karen Zacca, director of operations at Sandals Foundation, said she is optimistic about the futures of the students attending Steer Town Primary and Basic School.

“At the Sandals Foundation we believe in the holistic development of children’s well-being. This means we invest in their social, physical, and emotional development. We are grateful for the time spent with Steer Town Primary and for the opportunity we had to spearhead these successful initiatives. The peace garden acts as a dedicated space for conflict resolution. It has not only enhanced the learning environment but has also actively involved parents and students in collaborative activities like tree planting and painting, symbolising the growth and unity of the school community,” said Zacca.

“As the intervention comes to a close, we are confident that the students at Steer Town Primary School are on track because of the investments made over the past year,” said Zacca.

Since 2023, the Sandals Foundation has partnered with the VPA alongside Coca-Cola LA and the Social Development Commission to educate youth, parents, teachers, and community members on alternative positive pathways towards building community peace and increasing employment opportunities for youth in Steer Town.