Sandals Foundation Representative Khadijah Abdulwudud (left) and Nurse Eletha George pose with Pares Primary School students after a presentation to commemorate Nurses’ Week 2012.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Students of Willikies Primary School and Pares Primary teamed up with the Sandals Foundation in celebration of Nurses Week earlier this month as island-wide celebrations took place.

On May 8 and May 11 the two schools benefited from visits from the Sandals Foundation and Nurse Eletha George.

Sandals Foundation representative Khadijah Abdulwudud said the initiative was an opportunity to achieve several objectives including educating the students about the profession of nursing, celebrating Nurses Week and achieving the Foundation mandate of building better communities.

“Our young people are integral to the ethos of building stronger communities. So Nurses Week was one of those opportunities to get them involved in the nationwide celebrations and also get their thought process to widen from the narrow mold of traditional career choices,” Abdulwudud added.

Nurse Eletha George says that their outreach efforts targeted Grade four, five and six students who learned about the role of nursing in Antigua & Barbuda and the different types of nursing that exist.

“I was happy to partner with the Sandals Foundation because it is so important for children to understand the importance of nursing from a very young age,” commented George.

Abdulwudud echoed her sentiments and said, “The Sandals Foundation takes pride in helping to raise awareness about health issues and this was the perfect opportunity for us to do that.”

More than 70 students benefited from the presentations. Nurses Week is observed annually in Antigua & Barbuda. This year it will be celebrated from May 6 to 13.