Dentist Neil and his wife Sheila Stephen receiving a thank you card from the Gros Islet Infant School.
Over 250 students are now better informed about dental hygiene and preventative care thanks to Neil and Sheila Stephen, a couple from the United Kingdom who – for the second year – who have undertaken dental outreach activities in partnership with the Sandals Foundation.
The students attend Balata, Babonneau, Roseau, Anse La Raye, and Gros Islet Primary Schools, and Anse La Raye and Gros Islet Infant Schools. The couple noted that their efforts have been inspired by annual visits to St. Lucia for the last twenty years.
Students of the Gros Islet Infant School trying out what they had learnt from the dentist.
“The people of St. Lucia have been extremely nice to us so we wanted to find a way to say thank you,” Neil said. “We run a dental practice in the UK and so this is the very obvious way for us to help. We could not have done a better thing on our holiday, we look forward to it.”
Director of the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke said the initiative is an example of how the non-profit organisation brings people and communities together.
“The success of the sandals Foundation hinges heavily on our partners. Governments, NGOs, community groups and our guests and travel partners are great contributors to our work and we are grateful for the support. We salute Neil and Sheila Stephen for taking time out of their vacation to give back,” she said.
The Sandals Foundation facilitates healthcare initiatives across the Caribbean, including the Great Shape Inc. dental group, who provide free dental services to many Jamaicans each year. To date, over 62,000 Jamaicans have benefited from this service.