Sandals Ochi team brings books, supplies and reading support to Exchange Primary students

Earlier this week, Carol Bourke, General Manager of Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Ocho Rios, St. Ann—one of Sandals Resorts International’s flagship properties known for its expansive hillside and beachfront layout—along with several members of staff and two guests, visited Exchange Primary School in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

Sandals Ochi, which forms part of the wider Sandals Resorts portfolio across the Caribbean, is known for its split-level design that stretches from lush hillside villas down to a beachfront section, offering a mix of guest experiences while maintaining strong ties to surrounding communities through outreach initiatives.

The visit was carried out under the Sandals Foundation, the charitable arm of Sandals Resorts International, which focuses on education, community development, and environmental preservation across the region. Since its establishment in 2009, the foundation has supported hundreds of schools across the Caribbean through literacy programmes, school supplies donations, volunteer reading sessions, and infrastructure support aimed at strengthening learning environments.

During the visit, the Sandals team and guests read books with students and presented them with educational supplies designed to support classroom learning and encourage literacy development. The engagement formed part of ongoing efforts by the foundation to promote early reading and provide hands-on support in schools serving local communities.

“This today falls within the Sandals Foundation core to make a massive impact on the children as it brings a little fun in their daily activities,” Bourke said.

“These kids are our future and we will do whatever we can for them to make them better citizens,” she added.

Exchange Primary School has distinguished itself for its strong commitment to education and a vibrant sports programme. The institution was among the first in the area to reopen following the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa, which affected sections of the island last October, and had previously benefited from a major infrastructure upgrade during the 2023–2024 school term.