Last November when my husband and I went to Sandals Negril, the one Island Routes trip we desperately wanted to take, was the Reading Road Trip by the Sandals Foundation. Unfortunately, we just missed the bus {literally}, and we wouldn’t be there for the next one.
Fast forward a month when my daughter and I stayed at Beaches Negril, we had the opportunity to attend a Christmas Party with the Sandals Foundation, where we gave back to the kids of Jamaica – in a big way. It was a moment in time that I’ll never forget – one which touched my heart and soul so deeply.
When our family headed to Beaches Turks and Caicos this Spring, we took the Reading Road Trip to a local school. Launched in 2011, this voluntourism initiative is aimed at improving literacy, comprehension and vocabulary among students.
Not only is the Reading Road Trip a great chance to leave the resort and spend time with the people of the country, but is also a chance to make a difference and give back to Caribbean communities.
The $20 cost per person to go on the Reading Road Trip is a complete donation to the Sandals Foundation and includes the transportation to and from the school, from the resort. Children up to age 12 can go at no charge yet must be accompanied by an adult.
The local school that we went to in Providenciales is an elementary school. My kids really noticed the difference between this school and theirs here, especially that it was open-air and not one huge enclosed building.
We first went into their library and chose a bunch of books to read that day. Instead of bring books with us to Turks and Caicos, we chose to bring bags of school supplies and craft items for the kids and teachers.
Myself, my husband and my oldest took turns reading to 2 classes, first a Kindergarten class and then a Grade 1 class.
At one point I even had a lengthy discussion with the teachers, they told me all about the educational system in Turks and Caicos as well as the curriculum. In the Kindergarten room, I spotted many of the same worksheets that my twins were currently working on here in Canada.
Once we were done reading and visiting in the classrooms, we joined the kids outside for lunch recess. My kids loved playing at their park, laughing and running with the kids. Instant friends.
Going on the Reading Road Trip made me smile from ear to ear, such a great experience. I’m so happy that my kids came with, they learned a lot on this day.
They were very quiet on the ride home, just looking out the window. After thinking for a while they started talking with each other about how great the trip was and how much they want to do it again someday. We’d all love to – it’s a great experience and all for a great cause.
The Reading Road Trip takes place every Thursday, is available through Island Routes Adventure Tours at the Grand Pineapple, Sandals, and Beaches Resorts – in Jamaica, Antigua, the Turks and Caicos Islands, St. Lucia and Exuma in the Bahamas.
You can even donate to the Sandals Foundation online.
Such a wonderful ‘feel good’ post. It is experiences like these that enrich children’s lives. Thank you for the donation link…it looks like a very worth while cause!
Thank you Teresa!
What an amazing adventure! Not only is it educational; but I bet the kids loved having you visit and read to them too!
Yes, they love having weekly visitors, it was so remarkable for all!
That is lovely! If I ever make it down there, I am definitely signing up to participate in this. Amazing.
You need to, it’ll truly make your trip!
amazing experience – and very cool that they don’t charge for kids to experience it!
You know, that surprised me. What’s $10 when it goes to such a good cause?! Truthfully though, I donated more to the foundation when I got home{3rd time doing so}, I love what they do!
Aww, I love their reading area and classroom. The teacher in me smiles!
🙂
What a great experience!!
It certainly was – I recommend you go one day!
What an unforgettable experience. My husband lived in Jamaica for 2 years and continues to tell me stories about the culture!
So awesome! I loved Jamaica!
What a great way to have fun with your kids while teaching them the value of helping others. I think that’s something that has fallen to the wayside over the years.
So true Jennifer!
I love this!!! What a fun way to help out, and looks like they all enjoyed it!!
We all did – so much!
I am so excited to learn about this. Thanks for sharing your family’s great experience and how we can help.
You are very welcome Jen!
Wow, I never thought to do something like this on a trip! I love the idea of a reading road trip!
Isn’t it fabulous? Everyone must experience a Reading Road Trip!
What a fantastic idea. Looks like a great time.
It was Ellen – it really was!
love this experience for the girls!
So happy they were bale to do this – it’s so important for them!
What an experience and adventure!
It was remarkable, I wouldn’t hesitate to go again!
What great experience for both your family and the students you volunteered for! I love finding ways to give back when I travel, and this sounds like a really great one.
Exactly!
Amazing experience and I bet the entire family will remember a lifetime. It’s so wonderful to give back 🙂
It was Laura, a great experience!
What a sweet post! Your family did a wonderful thing and you can tell those children were blessed!
🙂
Awwww! It looks like you all had a great time. I be it was a great experience for the girls.
They loved it and I’m so glad they had the chance to go!
What an amazing trip and a wonderful and educational experience for your children. I had never heard of the Reading Road Trip before. Just wonderful!
Thanks Nancy, I’d recommend it if you have the chance to go!
What an amazing thing you are doing! Great way to give back and travel!
Thank you!
That looks like an amazing experience. I love that you and your family give back in this way.
Thanks Brett, I’m very happy that the Sandals Foundation does this!
What a great adventure to take with your kids. I think it will help them to grow as a person!
Thanks Tess, it’s a wonderful life experience!
What a fabulous way to spend vacation time! I will be looking for this next time we book a vacation!!
🙂
Going to Turks and Caicos is on my bucket list! I can not wait to go there one day.
The country is amazing as is Beaches – I’d suggest putting it at the top of your list!
That is so lovely. I never heard of it before, but I’d love to do it, if I’m ever in the areas.
and I’m sure you’d love it!
What a great experience and memories for the whole family! I had never heard of this program before!
Happy to have made the introduction!
What an amazing experience. So cool!
It was amazing!!
Wow, thats so awesome! What a great trip idea!
Agree! 🙂
This is such an awesome program. I would love to help with something like this. Reading is so important!
Absolutely!
What an amazing experience for your daughter to have. Reading is so important and it’s great that she read the kids a book and spent time with them.
Thanks Tiffany, I agree!
I love how kids are kids everywhere and they just fell into place playing together! Kids just love to play! This was an awesome reading excursion.
It was such an incredible experience, for so many reasons!!
My daughter did something like that when she went to the Dominican.
That’s great Carole!
Your girls will remember this trip for the rest of their lives – amazing experience!
I hope so Julie!
This is how I hope to travel with my children one day. 🙂
Looks like an amazing experience!
Wow, that looks awesome maybe thats where me and my hubby will go for our next trip!
Truly amazing