Hope Starts Here: Morne Prosper School Opening

Norwegian Cruise Line, together with Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, announced today the re-opening of the Morne Prosper Pre and Primary Schools in Morne Prosper Village, Dominica, the second school to benefit from the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief campaign.

Together with All Hands and Hearts, the company raised over $2.5 million dollars 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, much-needed kitchen and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities were also constructed for the school. The entire pre-school was also rebuilt with the addition of a new playground. 

On January 10, officials from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings 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 chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “We are incredibly thankful for all those who have brought lasting hope to children, families and the Dominica community by contributing to the re-opening of the Morne Prosper Pre and Primary Schools.”

“We’re grateful for partners like Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings who support our response and recovery efforts,” said David Campbell, Co-Founder and Chairman of All Hands and Hearts.  “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.”

The Hope Starts Here hurricane relief program launched in late September 2017, when the company partnered with relief organization 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. It 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 $2.5 million to assist All Hands and Hearts.  The program received more than $1.25 million in donations from the company’s valued team members, loyal guests, travel partners, and business partners, which Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. matched.