Beaches TCI Celebrates Autistic Students Through Innovative Tie and Dye Activity At The Thelma Lightbourne Primary School

Thelma Lightbourne Primary school students, (l-r), La-asiah Delancy, Techeline St Louis, and Makayla McIntosh show off their tie and dye designed shirts done with the support of the Sandals Foundation team from Beaches Turks and Caicos at a recently held Autism Awareness activity held at the school

As part of efforts to celebrate the unique strengths of children with autism and build the capacity of teachers in engaging children on the spectrum, Sandals Foundation ambassadors from Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort recently joined educators and students at the Thelma Lightbourne Primary School in a fun tie and dye activity to demonstrate the kaleidoscopic beauty of every child.

Beaches resorts are home to the Caribbean’s first advanced autism friendly kids’ camps. As the first all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean to complete the rigorous International Board of Credibility and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and Autism Certification, the resorts continue to create partnerships with educational institutions throughout the Caribbean.  

Approximately ten team members from the resort’s kid’s camp, entertainment, and public relations departments engaged students and teachers in tie and dye activities to creatively showcase and engage students in appreciating the strengths and unique characteristics they each hold. The activity provided a dynamic space for inclusion was students on the spectrum were given also able to take part in the art and craft project.

Beaches Turks and Caicos team of Jodian Banton (left) Public Relations Coordinator and Kayanne Ajarie go through the process of applying the dye to shirts at the Thelma Lightbourne Primary school while students look on during the Sandals Foundation Autism Awareness activity at the school

Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke shared, “Across the Caribbean, the Sandals Foundation seeks to create holistic learning environments for students. This activity – spearheaded by the Resort team, is a delightful way of not only raising awareness to autism but empowering all students to be considerate and appreciative of the differences that make us all – as humans unique.”

Special Education teacher of the school, Mikilah Forde while welcoming the partnership expressed her excitement with the opportunity for the students to learn a new skill. “The Beaches Turks and Caicos resort team taught all the students, including the special education students the art of tie and dye. Each student had the opportunity to help in inspiring their own unique design and at the end of the session, the level of satisfaction was evident,” Forde shared.  

Alyssa Lewin (left), grade six student at the Thelma Lightbourne Primary School shows off her final project to her teacher Francine Dorvil during the recently held Beaches Turks and Caicos and Sandals Foundation Autism Awareness activity at the school

Grade six student of the institution, Alyssa Lewin expressed delight in playing an active role in the creative process. “I was excited to see all the designs that we were taught today. I was pleasantly surprised that they were able to not only show us how to do the designs but to allow us to be involved in making them. I feel good now knowing that this shirt that I will be wearing has my own design. This was my hand-made design. It feels good.”

Kayanne Ajarie from the kid’s camp department on resort noted, “As a Sandals Foundation Ambassador, I was delighted to come and share with these students. I enjoyed seeing them tap into their creativity as we provided the expertise to help them bring their own designs to life. Children learn best when they are involved in the process, and I am delighted we were able to bring this hands-on experience.”