PfaP Joy in Jamaica

It was a pleasure for our family to work with Pack for a Purpose and the Sandals Foundation to coordinate our donation of 75 pounds of school supplies. We donated them to Hastings Elementary School in Trelawny Parish when we visited Jamaica last March.

My three kids were very involved and did most of the work. Using the list provided by Sandals Foundation, they began by collecting school supplies from their friends at school. Then they sorted, counted and packed the supplies themselves. It was really great to have my kids see this through, from collecting the 75 pounds of supplies to actually physically donating them and having an opportunity to spend time with the children who will use them.

We had an opportunity to visit 1st and 6th grade classrooms while we were there, and the kids had the chance to play together at recess. My seven-year-old Ashten said, Wow, I did not think they would be so fast. That was fun. The school was so appreciative of the supplies and the time we spent with the schoolchildren. They were so beautiful and fun. Even the trip through the countryside to get to Hasting’s was a treat. Sandals Foundation is really doing a great thing, and they have the most enthusiastic and professional person in charge: Khadine.

My kids really learned that no matter how much or how little you have, children are children and like to laugh and play and have fun. My thirteen-year-old Maya said, I was scared at first because I didn’t know how the kids would react, but all the kids were really sweet and I feel like I did the right thing. I wish we could have stayed longer to play with the kids, and my ten-year-old Kendal said, I did not want to go to school while I was on vacation, but I had so much fun at their school. It was really fun collecting and counting all of the supplies. I can’t wait to do this again.

This was the highlight of our spring break. It provided us an opportunity to give back to Jamaica in exchange for enjoying their beautiful island. We encourage you to consider this the next time you travel. Pack for a Purpose partners with resorts around the world, and I can’t wait for our next trip.