Choosing to make them partners, the relationship was established with the early funding of what would become the Flankers Peace and Justice Centre. The Centre caters to about half of the community in providing everything from computer classes and summer camps to health fairs and, perhaps most importantly, conflict resolution facilities. Counting Sandals and the Ministry of National Security among its current biggest donors, the Centre’s Executive Director, Marilyn Nash, is particularly proud of the success of its Youth Club, as well as a general decrease in the area’s crime rate. However, there are also smaller victories, such as the first peaceful football competition final between rival groups in 12 years; gold and silver awards for its dancers in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission parish finals; and one of its own Youth Club Presidents, Keirn Thomas, representing the community in Parliament last year and now enrolled at a college in Montego Bay.

Evidently, Sandals sees giving back as simply good business sense. But for Adam Stewart the roots of his “obligation” seem to go far deeper. Both his parents are known for their private generosity to various causes. His mother, artist PJ Stewart, is a key member of the team behind the famed annual theatrical productions staged by Father Richard Ho Lung; while Butch Stewart’s most recent contribution is a challenge grant to be announced this month of US$350,000 to his alma mater, Campion College, for the construction of Jamaica’s first library media centre in honour of his son, Jonathan.

“My father taught me to work very hard so you would have the ability to do things,” Adam Stewart explains. “My mother told me that you don’t have to have anything to be able to do things. She never had the money, she had the time. He has made the money, but doesn’t have the time.

The Foundation at work: (this page from top) Children volunteer by planting trees in honour of Earth Day; volunteers helping to clean the beach at Whitehouse, St. Elizabeth; Sandals CEO and the Foundation's chairman, Adam Stewart, launches the Foundation by planting a tree; protecting the reefs and helping to nurture marine life. (opposite page) (above) As the Foundation hopes to build a better future, children at the Happy Venture Basic School in Montego Bay are recipients of the programme; (below) Continuing the drive for literacy on the island.

These are two very different approaches that come together in the belief that giving back is a part of life.” Stewart’s view echoes those of many of his generation who are inspired by the results-oriented philanthropy of such persons as the Microsoft billionaire, Bill Gates. Gone are the days of handouts—charitable organizations now demand accountability for projects they fund, much like any business transaction. Explains Senior Co-ordinator of the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke: “There is so much you can do that will have a huge impact, but it’s about: one, getting the funds in, and two, making sure it’s sustained. The Foundation is not into the quick-fix thing, it’s about doing something that is actually going to impact someone’s life.”