Travel advisors lend a helping hand in Jamaica

Travel advisors made a meaningful difference in Jamaica last week on a humanitarian FAM trip organized by the Jamaica Tourist Board to rebuild a school that was wiped out by Hurricane Melissa. 

Eight Canadian advisors and eight agents from the United States joined other volunteers to build the new Fyffes Pen Infant and Primary School building in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth from July 6 to 12, marking the 28th school by the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation (HHJF), a non-profit organization that is based in Toronto.

“In just three days of hard work, hands came together, hearts came together and we built something amazing,” Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, for the Jamaica Tourist Board, told TravelPress Today. “The agents have embraced this concept because it’s more than just selling Jamaica, it makes them connected to Jamaica on a deeper level. It really creates a bond. They’re investing labour into something that means a lot to them – the education of Jamaican children. Kids will be so much better off by them coming down and lending a hand to the HHJF, which is a phenomenal foundation that really gives back.”

Over the course of the week the team of volunteers woke up early in the morning to beat the sun and got to work priming, painting, laying tile, adding shutters and hurricane straps, planting trees and much more while a DJ played tunes to help keep energy levels up in the summer heat. Representatives from Food For The Poor were also on location to make sure the group was fed and hydrated. 

Canadian advisor Eileen Rust of Centre Holidays in Alberta shared that she previously took part in another FAM trip that included helping out on a Helping Hands school build and knew she wanted to be part of the experience again. 

“I am thankful for this opportunity to serve with HHJF, Food for the Poor, JTB and others for a community that desperately needed our help,” she said. “I served in a smaller role in 2022 and knew without hesitation I’d prioritize this trip. The larger part we provided this time was so fulfilling and we feel we are truly part of the family.” 

Sacha Pinto of Counting Countries with Kitchener-Waterloo based Northstar Travel & Associates also jumped on the opportunity to be part of the “life-changing” FAM trip. 

“Several years ago, I told my husband that one day I wanted to go to a destination and not only experience resort-style living but also to contribute and give back. Not only was I able to mark off an item on my bucket list, I was able to give back to Jamaica after the destruction of Hurricane Melissa and work with open-hearted people to help build a school in St. Elizabeth, directly impacting the lives of children,” she noted. “Not only do I have a deeper understanding of what it means when people say Jamaicans are resilient, I have a deeper understanding of the term hard work and what it’s like when many people come together who are like-minded and want to accomplish something. I’m so appreciative and thankful for the JTB for including me in this life-changing experience.” 

As a frequent visitor to the island, Madelynn Bryks knew right away that she wanted to give back when she saw the FAM opportunity posted online. 

“I come to Jamaica often and over the last few years I’ve really gotten close to a lot of the locals. It was time off resort and get back into the community. As soon as I saw this FAM trip posted I was in,” said Bryks of D.M Luxe Getaways with New West Travel in Edmonton. “It was the most amazing experience and I can’t wait to come back. This is something I want to do every year. We’re already talking about we can do next.” 

On July 9th, a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new school took place featuring Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth South Western, and the school’s principal Mordant Mitchell.

Karl Hale, the founder of Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation, shared that the school has special meaning for the foundation since they built a classroom extension on site back in 2019. Under Jamaica’s updated building standards, the new school was constructed using reinforced concrete to better withstand severe weather than previous materials used like wood.

“Everybody here is very like-minded, and your scorecard is not your car, it’s not your house, it’s how you impact your community and your people,” Hale revealed. “I want you to remember that in your life. Nobody cares about the car and home you have, it’s the family you have, the friends you have, and when you give back to those people and community that is going to reflect the success of your life, and for everybody here, I want to thank you for supporting Helping Hands again. It’s been a wonderful few days.” 

Notably, the names of all the volunteers who participated in the project are featured on a plaque that adorns the new build.

During the late afternoon when it was too hot to work, the group headed out to explore the Treasure Beach area, which is home to attractions like YS Falls and Floyd’s Pelican Bar. With boutique properties on offer like Jake’s Hotel, where the advisors stayed during the build, they also got to see firsthand that there’s more to offer clients than all-inclusive resorts.

“Now that I’ve seen it and experienced all the cool things there are to do like a farm-to-table restaurant, I totally have clients who would enjoy a trip [to Treasure Beach],” Bryks added. “There are people who want to do that, who don’t like the big resorts.”

For more on the FAM trip and what awaits in Treasure Beach, don’t miss the next edition of Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier.