Close to seven thousand students will benefit from improved sanitation facilities this academic year following the construction of brand new handwashing stations at twelve primary and secondary schools across the island.
The activity forms part of the ‘Rotary Schools Handwashing Program’ being implemented by the Rotary Club of Antigua Sundown. Valued at just under USD $20,000, the Sandals Foundation contributed USD $10,000 to the project, helping six of the 12 schools to get prepared for the new school year.
Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation says the project forms part of the foundation’s efforts to invest in the island’s education infrastructure and support the continued academic growth of students and safeguarding the health of students and teachers.
“Now, more than ever, it is important for us to minimize the risks and spread of bacteria and viruses within our schools. The Sandals Foundation was happy to help the island’s learning institutions enhance their health, safety and sanitation infrastructure in time to commence the 2020/2021 academic year.”
Speaking at a visit to the Antigua Grammar School Thursday, where one of the stations has beenbuilt, General Manager at Sandals Grande Antigua Matthew Cornall expressed hope that the handwashing stations, “will help promote best practices amongst students, parents, guardians and teachers and by extension help ease the anxiety of persons within the community.”
President of the Rotary Club of Antigua Sundown Julian Wilkins expressed delight in the progress of the initiative which is aligned to a key pillar of the service organisation’s work – water and sanitation.
“Providing clean water has always been one of the major goals of Rotary so it is fitting for us to do a project with water,” Wilkins said.
Some of the additional benefitting schools are Antigua Girls High School, Jennings Secondary School, Sea View Farm Primary School, Golden Grove School and Potters Primary School.
