A Sandals Foundation-led restoration of schools across Jamaica’s western and northern parishes affected by Hurricane Melissa is being described as a rebirth.

Valued at just over $214 million, the works have given students a fresh start to the 2026/2027 academic year — spanning full structural rebuilds, re-roofing, solar power, and water security upgrades at schools across the affected parishes.

Executive chairman of Sandals Resorts and president of Sandals Foundation Adam Stewart reads to students of Culloden Infant School in Westmoreland on Monday inside the new library provided and resourced by Sandals Foundation.

Within hours of Hurricane Melissa’s passage on October 28 Sandals Foundation mobilised an immediate response — conducting cleaning and clearing operations at 17 schools across the affected parishes. Drawing on the expertise of local and international partners including Team Rubicon, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mercy Chefs, and Sandals and Beaches Resorts team members, the coordinated effort focused on salvaging resources, pest and rodent control, installing temporary roofing, providing meals, and setting up tents as temporary learning spaces to bring a sense of normalcy to students in the storm’s immediate aftermath.

That emergency response laid the groundwork for a far larger undertaking: rebuilding schools stronger than before.

Restoration at Culloden Infant School in Westmoreland leads the effort at a value of $100.572 million. The school underwent a comprehensive structural rebuild — including the reconstruction of internal walls, new windows and doors, more resilient re-roofing, two modular classrooms, electrical rewiring, and the installation of six water tanks — alongside new solar-powered energy. Students now enjoy a new, fully outfitted library made possible through partnership with non-profit Good 360 of the United States. Finishing touches — fresh paint and artistic murals throughout the school — complete the transformation, giving students a bright, welcoming space to which they can return.

Culloden Infant School Principal Michelle Whittingham said the transformation is beyond expectation.

Sandals Resorts Executive Chairman Adam Stewart (stooping, centre), who is also president of Sandals Foundation, shares the joy of students and teachers at the renovated Culloden Infant School with (standing, from left) Karen Zacca, director of operations, Sandals Foundation; Patrice Gilpin, public relations manager, Sandals Foundation; teachers Kadian Fagan, Lodanna Fraser and Principal Michelle Whittingham. Occasion was the first day of the new academic year.

“Looking back from Hurricane Melissa, I’m just so overjoyed. When I came here after the storm and saw the devastation, I wondered and prayed if we could ever come back. Today, the school is much better than it was. We have gotten more, more things have been put in place, and I can’t wait to welcome our children back to continue their early childhood education,” she said.

Kings Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland, which also serves as an emergency shelter, also saw a major rebuild. There were structural repairs to walls, new windows and doors, and more resilient re-roofing, alongside six new water tanks and a fully restored, solar-powered computer lab and library. With partners including Air Canada Vacations, Food For the Poor Canada, and InterCaribbean Airways, $91.5 million was invested to help this vital community anchor rise again.

“The restoration work done at our school has helped to bring much renewed energy, confidence, and hope for our children and the wider community. You have helped us to rise from the devastation stronger, more determined to give every child at Kings the opportunity to learn, grow, and excel,” said the school’s principal, Marcia Tatham-Miller.

Beyond these two flagship rebuilds, major infrastructure works were carried out at five additional schools.

Students of Kings Primary and Infant School enjoy the first day of the 2025/26 academic year during a visit by Sandals Foundation President Adam Stewart and members of the foundation team. The school was one of seven that benefited from a structural rebuild, solar power installation, and water security upgrades courtesy of Sandals Foundation.

Whitehouse Early Childhood Institute (ECI) in Westmoreland received re-roofing, tiling, and electrical upgrades; Petersville ECI was re-roofed; Flanker Primary in St James saw the reconstruction and re-roofing of its bathrooms that serve grades one to three; Whitehouse Early Childhood Centre received new roof sealant; and Cove Primary in Hanover gained new solar energy technology, with rehabilitation work led jointly by the Sandals Foundation and American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ).

At the centre of the foundation’s reconstruction effort was a commitment to strengthening the resilience of the island’s education infrastructure. Working closely with the Ministry of Education, policy guidance was provided by the National Education Trust.

Executive chairman of Sandals Resorts and president of Sandals Foundation Adam Stewart said the success of the restorative effort rests on the love and support of the local and international community to see Jamaica rebound.

Students of Kings Primary and Infant School enjoy the first day of the 2025/26 academic year during a visit by Sandals Foundation President Adam Stewart and members of the foundation team. The school was one of seven that benefited from a structural rebuild, solar power installation, and water security upgrades courtesy of Sandals Foundation.

“Our resilience as a nation stands tall alongside our strong culture and our influence as a people. We are incredibly grateful to our corporate and travel partners, who did not hesitate to respond during this challenge. Together we created an opportunity for rebirth,” he said.

For Heidi Clarke, executive director at Sandals Foundation, school leaders deserve much of the credit.

“It has been a long road to recovery and I have to take my hat off to the staff, parents, and especially principals who have not only had to continue educating our children within situations that have not been ideal, they made sure our children had food, they created an environment where children felt safe, and they have been there for every aspect of the rebuild — which has been incredible,” clarke said.

“We’ve done our best to rebuild stronger, help schools build to code, and strengthen the resilience of our learning institutions, but our principals are the true heroes,” she added.

As students return to newly restored classrooms this term Sandals Foundation reaffirmed its long-term commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure across Jamaica.

“This is a rebirth for these schools, and the foundation remains committed to education on a whole, ensuring every child has a safe, resilient place to learn and grow,” the foundation stated.