“We were fortunate to have received this new wing in 2015, but we got it with no equipment. Since then, with the help of generous donors and through our own fundraising, we were able to get things going, but now years later, we got to a stage where things were a little more dire and so we were advised to contact Sandals Foundation, who heeded our call,” recalled Carl Andall, Principal of the Mac Donald College.
The Food & Nutrition lab, which serves close to 500 students annually for practical lessons in the Home Economics Department, is now outfitted with a new washing machine, refrigerator, 2 additional cookers for their 5 cooking stations, blenders and a new mixer from the Sandals Foundation.
The supplies valued at some EC $16,000, were made possible through a partnership with the Sandals Foundation, its parent company’s Food & Beverage department and international beverage alcohol company Constellation Brands.
“Empowering the next generation is one of the most important missions of the Sandals Foundation. Skills training is vital, and having the correct appliances and resources to do so is a necessity for successful completion of academic and professional programmes. We are elated to support the hospitality and service dreams of current and future students who choose to chart their journeys through these walls,” shared Deleon Forrester, Public Relations Manager Sandals Grenada.
Equally elated and inspired, past student of the school and Recruitment & Compliance Specialist for Sandals Grenada, Amanda Benjamin, at handing over the donation, encouraged the students, “Reach for the stars. Whichever career path you choose, do it to the best of your ability.”
Located in a heavily tourist-dependent region, the donated items will make it possible for Mac Donald College to comfortably bring its training offerings up to current industry standards.
Vice Principal and Head of the Food & Nutrition department Judy Best extended her gratitude, “We are so very happy to be the recipients of this new equipment. It is so touching that Sandals Foundation answered our plea. Every year we have at least 30 students doing Food & Nutrition for their CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate), and this will help us to get our lab up to a higher standard for students here to continue to excel. What a relief for the department. Thank you, Sandals Foundation!”
Sandals