More than $2.5m raised
Together with All Hands and Hearts, the company raised more than $2.5m to deliver early relief response and rebuild safe, resilient schools in the Caribbean communities impacted by hurricanes Irma and Maria.
A portion of the proceeds was used to rebuild the pre- and primary schools in Morne Prosper Village, which suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Maria. For the primary school, two classrooms that were completely destroyed were rebuilt while new kitchen and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities were also constructed. The entire preschool was also rebuilt with the addition of a new playground.
On Jan. 10, officials from NCLH and All Hands and Hearts along with local representatives from Dominica attended the grand opening celebration of the pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade school, which will open its doors to teachers and students today.
'We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of the second school in the Caribbean that has benefited from our Hope Starts Here hurricane relief campaign in partnership with All Hands and Hearts,' said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. 'We are incredibly thankful for all those who have brought lasting hope to children, families and the Dominica community by contributing to the reopening of the Morne Prosper Pre and Primary Schools.'
Build back better techniques
David Campbell, co-founder and chairman of All Hands and Hearts, expressed gratitude to partners like NCLH for their support in the response and recovery efforts.
'At the center of our work are build back better techniques to make schools like Morne Prosper resistant against future natural disasters. Working closely with the Ministry of Education, other NGOs, the schools and local communities, this essential work will create much safer, resilient learning environments, and also serve as evacuation shelters for surrounding communities,' Campbell added.
The 'Hope Starts Here' hurricane relief program launched in late September 2017, when NCLH partnered with All Hands and Hearts to help provide immediate relief in Key West and reconstruct schools and critical infrastructure in affected islands in the Caribbean including St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Tortola.
Largest fundraiser in NCLH history
This has been the largest fundraising campaign in the company’s history. Within 90 days of the launch, 'Hope Starts Here' reached its goal of raising $2.5m to assist All Hands and Hearts. The program received more than $1.25m in donations from the company’s team members, passengers, travel partners and business partners, which NCLH matched.
NCLH is the parent of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
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