Issa Trust Foundation positioned to promote wellbeing and development in Jamaica

Negril, Jamaica – November 2005 – The Issa Trust Foundation, a non-profit organization formed by Couples Resorts to help Jamaican citizens and communities in need, has completed their first successful medical mission. The organization, established in 2005, strives to provide a system of prevention, health promotion and education, community health improvement and other services to promote wellbeing and development to Jamaican communities.

“The foundation is positioned to be able to help make an impact on the youth of Jamaica in many positive ways. We help keep them in school, make learning a positive experience and promote the overall growth process,” stated the foundation’s Chairman Randy Russell. “We emphasize maximizing positive potential, drug education/prevention, improved reading and writing skills, and social responsibility. We strive to provide excellent clinical care to infants, children, adolescents and adults across the full continuum of care, in a family centered, service driven environment.”

The Issa Trust Foundation projects range from taking on medical missions to local health centers and hospitals to supplying bed linens to the local boys home. Since the organization’s official start earlier this year, the foundation has already collected over $3,000 in donations as well as various medical machines.. The first pediatric medical mission was completed October 8 – 15, 2005. Ten volunteers from Blank Children's Hospital in Iowa (three physicians, one nurse practitioner and six nurses) visited Jamaica to provide healthcare services to children in Ocho Rios. The team visited the Retreat Health Center, Islington Health Center, Annotto Bay Health Center and the Swift-Purscell Boys Home. Plus, the volunteer team spent a day attending to the children of Couples Ocho Rios staff members.

Couples Resorts Public Relations Director Alex Ghisays took part in the medical mission as well. “I was honored to work with a group as dedicated and selfless as the doctors and nurses from Blank Children’s Hospital who donated their time and money to help those less fortunate in the communities of St. Mary, Jamaica,” Ghisays commented of her experience. “The obvious appreciation from the families that we were able to help was indescribable and the children in these rural districts benefited greatly from the visit. I feel privileged to be part of the launch of this extraordinary foundation.”

The organization honors the Issa family – leaders in Jamaican tourism and founders and owners of Couples Resorts. Issa Trust Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, and donations are therefore tax deductible in the United States.

Couples Resorts, headquartered in Montego Bay, Jamaica, owns and operates four properties in Jamaica, West Indies. Couples Ocho Rios, the first-ever couples only, all-inclusive resort, Couples Sans Souci, Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril. Pioneered by the legendary Abe Issa – "father of Jamaican tourism" – each Couples property is an unsurpassed model of the all-inclusive concept, boldly designed with local inspiration to create a harmonic sense of nature and authentic Caribbean spirit. For over 29 years, Couples has delighted guests and has elevated the Caribbean resort industry to a new level by providing unparalleled service, exceptional dining experiences and tremendous added value in the all-inclusive arena. For further information, call 1-800-COUPLES or visit www.couples.com.

Media Contact:
Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications
Phone: 305-444-4033 Fax: 305-447-0415