PRESS RELEASE – SANDALS Resorts International, through the Sandals Foundation, has always encouraged our visiting guests to donate toward projects that help uplift the communities where we operate. One couple that has gone beyond the call are Dentist Dr. Neil Steven and his wife, Sheila.
Dr. Steven and his wife are repeat guests to Saint Lucia, having made Sandals Resorts their retreat away from home for over two decades. A quick chat with them revealed their level of dedication not just to their craft, but to ensuring that as many children as possible get access to information that can change their lives — one smile at a time.
The couple frequently lobbies large corporations like Colgate, Curaprox and Dental Directory for dental supplies that they can donate to children between the ages of 4 and 10. Not only do they bring these supplies with them, they enlist the help of their friends coming on holiday, to do the same. This year, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Swain assisted in the adventure.
Once they had soaked up a week of sunshine, Dr. Steven and his wife hit the road to visit as many schools as possible. This year, the couple was able to visit Gros Islet Infant School, Gros Islet Primary School, Marchand Combined School, Desruisseaux Combined School, Ave Maria Girls Primary, and Camille Henry Memorial. Over 300 students received one-on-one attention on how to create healthy teeth through proper brushing.
While their vacation draws to a close, the couple is already planning their return visit, and how they can maximize the supplies they will solicit from willing donors overseas.
The efforts of Dr. Steven and his wife offer a precursor to the annual Sandals Foundation Great Shape Inc! project, in which over 60 visiting dentists and dental therapists from throughout the world provide two weeks of free dental care to hundreds of people in Saint Lucia, who would otherwise be unable to afford such procedures. In 2018 the Great Shape Inc! programme will mark its fourth year working with Sandals in Saint Lucia.