The saying “motivation sweetens labour” was put into action recently when volunteers from Sandals and Beaches Negril under the theme ‘Loving Hands in Communities and Schools’, visited Negril All Age to treat the grade six students to learning resources and Valentine’s Day sweet treats.

With the Primary Exit Programme, (PEP) exams right around the corner, the Negril team members stopped by to encourage the students and help to ease pre-exam jitters.

The school, with a student population of over 600 pupils, is currently undergoing mock exams with their 95 PEP students.

Sharing her gratitude for the act of love to the students; guidance counselor at the institution, Gloria Gilpin, noted that she and the staff at Negril All Age were happy to have the Sandals and Beaches team on board.

“The Sandals and Beaches team are here encouraging our students with us, helping them to realise that they can do their best. The students have received a lot of supplies that will help them on their way to success and we are happy to know that the team cares so much for our students and the development of the community,” she said.

Sheron Suckra, principal of Negril All Age, also shared that she is assured that the students will benefit from the gifts and that it is her hope for a continued partnership with the Sandals and Beaches Negril team.

Along with the treats and words of encouragement, the Sandals and Beaches Negril team members engaged the students to hear how they were personally preparing for their exams, the schools of their choice and the reasons behind their choices.

Grade-six students at the institution, Rania Phillips and Jovane Blagrove shared that both the gifts and the visit from the Beaches and Sandals team members helped to boost their confidence.

“My classmates and I got gifts and I believe this will motivate us to study and work hard when we go to do our exams,” an elated Phillips said.

Noting that the initiative was a timely gesture, grade six teacher at Negril All-Age, Khari-Grace Andries added that this was an exciting experience for the students and that maybe one day they too will be a part of the Sandals and Beaches Negril team continuing the philanthropic work geared towards building their communities and increase the opportunities for the children of the future generation.

With the goal to not only motivate but to also show love on Valentine’s Day, the Negril team was more than ecstatic to offer their support to the students and remind them that their families, teachers and the wider community was rooting for their success.

The Loving Hands initiative will also see residents of the Hanover Poor Relief benefitting from donations which included clothing, school and medical supplies.