oy Clark, chair of the Digicel Foundation, shares a joyful moment with Sharaya McPherson (right) and Nicquantae Evans, students from the Catherine Hall Special Education Unit in St James who received backpacks filled with essential school supplies as part of the foundation’s recent annual back-to-school initiative.
As families across Jamaica prepare for the new school year, the Digicel Foundation is helping to ease the financial burden of back-to- school preparations, delivering more than 500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to students across selected schools, special needs institutions and community groups.
The annual initiative is part of the Digicel Foundation’s continued commitment to education and community development. This year, the programme takes on added significance for families in western Jamaica, where more than 300 of the 500-plus students receiving support were affected by the Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. Each backpack was packed with care by members of the Digicel Foundation team and included practical supplies such as books, pencils, pens, colouring books, geometry sets and rulers, items designed to help students return to the classroom prepared and ready to learn.
For Digicel Foundation CEO Charmaine Daniels, the initiative is about standing with families at a time when they need support most. “We know how difficult this time of the year is for many parents, especially those in the West who have to add back-to-school expenses to the many challenges they are already facing after experiencing a Category 5 hurricane. As a Foundation committed to education and community development, we wanted to play our part.”
Among the beneficiaries was the Catherine Hall Special Education Unit in St. James, where the Special Needs Unit Coordinator Marsha Rigg-Kerr expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s continued support of students with special needs. “Every year, our parents can count on the Digicel Foundation to lend a helping hand where back-to- school supplies are concerned. As you know, many of our students were impacted by the hurricane, so these supplies are very much welcomed. They will make a meaningful
difference to our students and their families and we are truly thankful to the Digicel Foundation for continuing to support our children.” The Digicel Foundation continues to work with schools, community organisations and other partners to identify opportunities where targeted assistance can have a direct and meaningful impact on children and communities.
Food for the Poor Band Camp (Photo: Food for the Poor)
Four weeks of music, fun, mentorship, and devotion describe Food For The Poor Jamaica’s annual Summer Band Camp experience this year, as 65 young musicians, ages 8 to 18, enrolled in one of the organisation’s most beneficial programmes for inner-city youth in Jamaica.
The camp commenced on Monday, July 20, 2026, on the Food For The Poor grounds in St. Catherine, and youngsters from across the island benefitted from specialised hands-on training in various musical disciplines including strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. Guided by experienced music instructors, the four-week programme went beyond developing musical skills, fostering discipline, teamwork and creative expression among participants.
Long-serving Camp Director, Jeffrey Brown, believes that the camp serves as a useful platform for youth to grow and express themselves, realising that providing such an avenue to impressionable minds will naturally lead to creative discoveries and maximum development.
Over the course of the camp, students benefited specifically from instrument care workshops and opportunities to collaborate on musical pieces. The initiative forms part of FFTP’s ongoing commitment to youth development, providing safe and inspiring spaces for creativity to thrive.
The closing ceremony, which was held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, featured graduates of the camp showcasing their achievements through stirring ensemble performances and vibrant renditions. Eight children received special awards as most outstanding students for the instruments being offered this year: Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Trombone, Keyboard, Drums, Clarinet, Trumpet and Bass Guitar.
Denise Cagley-Jefferson, Executive Director of Food For The Poor Jamaica, remarked, “Food For The Poor Jamaica’s Band Camp is a wonderful example of what can happen when we invest in the potential of our young people. Through music, these students are developing not only valuable skills, but also confidence, discipline, teamwork and a sense of purpose. We are proud to provide a space where they can discover their talents, express themselves creatively and envision brighter possibilities for their futures.”
The organisation is marking its 16th year of the camp and has influenced many of their students to establish their own music classes as a source of income.
FFTP Jamaica expresses gratitude to the sponsors: dancehall artiste Sean Paul and prominent goods production company, Wisynco(recurring sponsor and partner) through their Brands MPOWA and WATA, Food For The Poor Canada, JAMBISCO (recurring sponsor & partner) and Sun Island Jamaica, along with camp volunteers and families whose support made the Band Camp a success.
Advocacy, community outreach and member empowerment took centre stage as CCRP (Caribbean Community of Retired Persons) hosted its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, July 23, at the Police Officers’ Club in Kingston. Members from across the island attended both in person and online to reflect on another impactful year (2025), celebrate the organisation’s achievements, and look ahead to the future.
Championing Advocacy for Older Jamaicans
Advocacy remained at the heart of CCRP’s work throughout the year as the organisation continued to champion the rights and well-being of older Jamaicans. A key highlight was CCRP’s presentation to the Senate, where Founder and Executive Chair Jean Lowrie-Chin called for legislation to better protect older persons from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The presentation advanced national discussions and contributed to the Government’s commitment to strengthening legal protections for seniors. AGM Chair Lowrie-Chin also noted the reopening of the Rockfort Mineral Bath following CCRP’s advocacy and their current outreach to the Jamaica Bankers Association for wheelchair access to ATMs, among other causes.
CCRP’s audited statements were presented by Director Warren McDonald, Chair of the organisation’s Finance Committee. Other Board Directors in attendance were Vilma McDonald and Patricia Reid-Waugh and online Dr Marlene Street Forrest, Dr Owen James and Donovan Wignal.
Responding to Hurricane Melissa
When Hurricane Melissa devastated western Jamaica in November 2025, CCRP quickly mobilised to support some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens. In partnership with Food For The Poor Jamaica and with the generous support of members, donors and corporate partners, the organisation provided emergency relief to seniors and families who had lost homes, livelihoods and essential belongings.
Using proceeds from its National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) Benefit Performance and additional donations, CCRP helped distribute food and hygiene packages, provided cash grants and contributed to roof repairs for elderly residents in communities across St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James and Trelawny.
Members of the CCRP welcoming Dr Winston Dawes (Photo: Contributed)
Valued Discount Partners Recognised
The AGM also spotlighted some of CCRP’s valued Discount Partners, who attended the meeting and continue to play a vital role in enhancing the benefits available to members. Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration in helping CCRP deliver greater value to its growing membership.
Discount Partners Bloom-Karin Yoga Life, Denz Elevator Company, Dr Suzanne Taylor, Dr Winston Dawes, Jamaica Automobile Association, Fast Recovery Human Tecar Treatment Centre and Sheldon’s Auto Parts were among those recognised for their ongoing support. Through the CCRP Discount Programme, members enjoy exclusive savings on a wide range of products and services.
Major (ret’d) George Benson and Digicel Foundation CEO, Charmaine Daniels (Photo: Contributed)
Entrepreneurship in Action
A fitting conclusion to the AGM was the presentation of Certificates of Participation to 11 of the 42 members who successfully completed the CCRP Entrepreneurship Programme, funded by Digicel Foundation.
Facilitated by Dr. Kadamawe K’nife, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Thinking and Practice at the Mona School of Business and Management, UWI and Jamaica’s first Certified International Trade Professional, Robert Scott, the programme equipped participants with practical business skills and entrepreneurial knowledge.
Certificates were presented by Digicel Foundation CEO, Charmaine Daniels, Director of Strategic Planning & Community Development, Miguel “Steppa” Williams and Dr. Kadamawe K’nife, highlighting the successful partnership between CCRP and Digicel Foundation in promoting lifelong learning and economic empowerment.
Providers of discounted insurance plans also shared information with members: Gallagher Insurance Brokers, managers of CCRP health plans underwritten by Sagicor; John Galt Insurance Brokers, managers of international health plans underwritten by Lloyd’s of London, and BCIC who offer the CCRP Silver Shield property and automobile Insurance plans.
Brightstar Lottery Jamaica General Manager Debbie Green guides a student through an exercise during the company’s sixth annual Coding and Robotics Rock! Summer Camp, held at the Brightstar After School Advantage Centre at the Trench Town Development Committee, last Wednesday.
Acting president of the Trench Town Community Development Committee (CDC) Zann Locke has lauded Brightstar Lottery Jamaica (BLJ) for its contribution to the development of the storied area through its sixth annual Coding and Robotics Rock! Summer Camp.
The free two-week camp is an initiative by BLJ in partnership with the Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI) at The University of the West Indies, Mona.
Through hands-on training in coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI), students are challenged to develop innovative solutions to Jamaica’s infrastructure needs.
Speaking on day three of the camp at the Trench Town After School Advantage (ASA) Centre last week, Locke told the Jamaica Observer that the residents of Trench Town — the birthplace of many of Jamaica’s musical giants — appreciate the initiative by BLJ and the educational access it provides to students in the community.
She said the initiative has been so well received that older residents are now asking for similar programmes.
“They get jealous and say, ‘What about us? We are the adults, can’t you have some programmes [for us]?’ So ,we’re hoping that we can have a partnership to look at computer literacy when it comes to adults because our they are getting older and they are living longer,” said Locke.
She added that the students in the community have responded positively to the summer camp and are eager for the opportunity to learn more, despite initially complaining that they would not get to enjoy their summer holiday.
“We also encourage them that this is an opportunity, [and] the fact that this opportunity comes to you in your space and you are only giving a couple of hours per day for two weeks, what a great advantage for you.
“And so, the fact that you can learn this, go back to school — and if this is shared at school, then you’re more advanced than the student in school because you used your summer wisely,” added Locke.
One of the participants, Jamaica College student Jayden Derby, told the Observer that he decided to take part in the camp because of his interest in computers and coding.
Ryan Cooper (left), lead camp tutor and software developer at the Mona Geoinformatics Institute, looks on as Coding and Robotics Rock! campers (from second left) Jayden Derby, Kataleye Smith and Gareth McKenzie get hands-on with a Robotis Mini robot, alongside Brightstar Lottery Jamaica General Manager Debbie Green. The programmable robot is among the hands-on tools campers are using this year to build practical coding and robotics skills
“It could be very useful in your day-to-day life, knowing now that computers are really taking over the world. In the future it’s going to be very useful — and you might really need it too,” said Jayden.
Meanwhile, Vauxhall High School student Sherekel Walker said her interest in the camp developed because she is studying information technology (IT) at school and believes the content could help her ace her school-based assessment.
According to Sherekel, although she had prior knowledge of some of the areas covered, there is a lot she has learnt.
“To me, it’s really important because it’s an opportunity for me to learn new things that can benefit me in the future. And doing this also helps me because I’m in a computer class at school, so it helps to advance my knowledge in computers further so it’s been really great,” said Sherekel.
The camp is part of BLJ’s wider ASA Programme, which provides students with access to technology and to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) learning opportunities.
This year, for the first time, the curriculum includes AI training and offers two levels for beginners and returning participants.
According to Debbie Green, general manager of BLJ, the community has been very responsive to the partnership, and the students have shown great initiative in participating in the programmes and making use of the opportunities provided.
“The children of Trench Town have an exuberance that is unbelievable. They want to be involved, they want to know, they want to be better than anybody else,” said Green.
She told the Observer that BLJ’s contribution to Trench Town’s development is its way of supporting and giving back to the community.
Last year, BJL retrofitted and reopened the community centre to create the ASA Centre, which is now being used to host this year’s camp.
Players from Total Football Academy celebrate with a symbolic $650,000 cheque presented by Digicel Foundation, after the Academy’s winning entry in the Foundation’s “Show Your Skills and Score” social media challenge earned it the grant to support its football programme.
Total Football Academy (TFA) has been awarded a $650,000 grant from Digicel Foundation, giving the grassroots programme a significant boost as it continues developing young talent. The Academy won the Foundation’s “Show Your Skills and Score” social media challenge, which invited school football teams, community clubs, and academies to post a video showcasing their team’s skills for a chance to win a grant. Total Football Academy emerged victorious, securing over 1,000 organic likes on Instagram. Charmaine Daniels, CEO of Digicel Foundation, said the timing of the contest was deliberate, designed to ride the wave of excitement generated by the World Cup tournament.
“Football has a unique way of uniting people and the whole world was watching the World Cup with such passion. We wanted to channel that same energy back into our own communities, where the next generation of footballers is being shaped every day. A lot of young players look up to these World Cup athletes, and they dream of one day representing their own countries on that same stage,” she said. Daniels added that the grant reflects the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to sport as a tool for social development. ‘Throughout the years, we have consistently supported grassroots programmes because we’ve seen firsthand what it does for young people. It teaches discipline, teamwork and resilience. It keeps children engaged and out of harm’s way. Most importantly, it brings communities together.”
Founder and Director of TFA, Raymond Leveridge, said the grant comes at a pivotal moment for the Academy’s growth. ‘We are incredibly grateful to Digicel Foundation for this opportunity and for believing in what we’re building here. This grant will help us provide proper gear for our players, cover training expenses and support critical areas like nutrition and hydration that are often overlooked but so important to a young athlete’s development. We’ll also be able to purchase much-needed equipment that will elevate the quality of training we can offer,” he said.
Leveridge also spoke to the Academy’s mission and the communities it serves. “We are an academy with a very diverse demographic. A large number of our players come from inner-city communities and less fortunate backgrounds, where access to structured, quality football programmes isn’t always guaranteed. For many of these young people, TFA is a safe space, a and a support system.
This grant allows us to remove some of the barriers that stand between our players and their potential and that means everything to us,” he said. Digicel Foundation offers two grant programmes: the Mek A Muckle grant, which provides up to $650,000 in funding for small projects and the Build Jamaica grant, which supports larger programmes with up to $2,000,000 in funding. To learn more about Digicel Foundation grants, visit www.digicelfoundation.org/jm/en.
Kavelle Hylton, CEO of STEM Builders Learning Hub, addresses parents and teachers at Waterford Primary School on safer internet use, as part of Digicel Foundation’s Safer Internet Together (SIT) programme. In addition to students and community members, the SIT programme is now empowering parents and teachers with the knowledge to guide children’s digital responsibility and online safety.
Digicel Foundation is deepening its commitment to online safety by broadening its Safer Internet Together (SIT) programme to include parents and teachers, arming adults with the knowledge and tools needed to guide and monitor how children behave online.
This expansion comes on the heels of a standout year for the programme, which reached more than 34,000 students across 150 schools islandwide with lessons on digital responsibility. SIT is a year-long, nationwide initiative built to give all Jamaicans the essential knowledge to move safely through the digital space.
So far, over 50 parents and teachers have taken part in the programme, which tackles key issues such as cyberbullying, parental controls, personal data protection, and data privacy.
Looking ahead, the Foundation will host a series of targeted sessions with school principals in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s Regions 4 and 1 this summer, further strengthening ties with school leadership and expanding the programme’s footprint in those communities.
Charmaine Daniels, CEO of Digicel Foundation, explained, “The digital landscape is evolving at a pace that can be difficult for any parent or teacher to keep up with. Through SIT, we are ensuring that the adults in our children’s lives are not left behind. Adults need to be aware of what is happening online so that they can effectively monitor, guide, and protect the young people in their care.”
STEM Builders Learning Hub, the programme’s implementing partner, is responsible for delivering the digital safety curriculum in schools and community settings. According to CEO Kavelle Hylton, experience on the ground has made clear just how urgent it is to bring parents into the conversation alongside students.
“What we are finding is that parents sometimes are simply not aware of what their children are encountering online – the risks, the platforms, or the conversations happening in digital spaces. Educating them and guiding them is so important, because they are the ones who can guide our children at home. When we strengthen the awareness of parents and teachers, we multiply the impact of everything we do in the classroom,” said Miss Hylton.
SIT is backed by a group of dedicated partners united by a shared vision for a safer digital Jamaica, including Sunshine Snacks, Macmillan Education, JPS, and KOOL 97FM. Looking to 2026, Digicel Foundation aims to bring the programme to 100 additional schools and host 25 PTA sessions.
Kedisha Clarke, Communications and Digital Media Officer at Digicel Foundation, presents a notebook to a student at Waterford Primary School during a PTA session held as part of the Foundation & Safer Internet Together (SIT) programme. In addition to students and community members, SIT is now empowering parents and teachers with the knowledge to guide children & digital responsibility and online safety.
Dr Garth McDonald, (third left), senior medical officer of the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, explains how the ultrasound and CTG machines works to (from left) Jean Lowrie-Chin, board director of Food For The Poor; Elder Paul Sutherland, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Elise Fairweather-Blackwood, senior director of nursing services of Bustamante Hospital for Children; Denise Cagley-Jefferson, executive director of Food For The Poor; Krystal Lee, state minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness; and Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Occasion was the official handover ceremony for the donation of 13 medical machines to the hospital in downtown Kingston on Monday.
As the country’s birth rates continue to fall, Jamaica is stepping up its fight to protect every newborn with a major technology boost at Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH) in Kingston.
The hospital, which is the largest referral maternity facility in the English-speaking Caribbean, has received a $32-million upgrade in life-saving equipment, including 13 cardiotocographymachines and state-of-the-art ultrasound system to strengthen the monitoring of mothers and babies during pregnancy and labour.
The donation, made through a partnership between Food For The Poor Jamaica and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was handed over on Monday, during an emotional ceremony at the hospital.
Junior health minister Krystal Lee said the investment in the VJH, which delivered 5,200 babies in the past two years, will help to improve early detection of complications and speed interventions.
“They represent reassurance for expectant mothers, confidence for our healthcare workers and, ultimately, better outcomes for babies and families across Jamaica,” Lee said.
She added: “These improvements come at a time when the ministry continues to prioritise reducing maternal and neonatal risks and advancing the quality of care available throughout our health system.”
Scores of members of the CCRP, a seniors’ advocacy organisation, were introduced to Jamaica’s central bank digital currency, JAMDEX, during an informative presentation hosted by the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) via Zoom on Thursday 28th May.
The presentation was led by Wayne Guthrie, Unit Head of Fintech Development and Implementation at the Bank of Jamaica, who has been instrumental in the implementation and development of JAMDEX. Mr Guthrie was introduced by Mario Griffiths, Division Chief with responsibility for Payment Systems at the BOJ.
During the session, members were educated on the features, benefits, and practical use of JAMDEX as Jamaica continues to advance its digital financial ecosystem. It was emphasised that JAMDEX is not intended to replace cash or bank notes, but rather to serve as another convenient payment option for Jamaicans.
Wayne Guthrie, Unit Head of Fintech Development and Implementation at the Bank of Jamaica
Presenters explained that one of the key motivations behind the initiative is to support Jamaica’s digital transformation agenda in alignment with the Government of Jamaica’s Vision 2030 strategy. The BOJ noted that it is seeking to keep pace with technological advancements to ensure that customers are not left behind in an increasingly digital society.
Members were informed that JAMDEX is quick, safe, and reliable and can be accessed through approved mobile applications or digital wallets available on smartphones. The presentation also highlighted enhanced financial inclusion as one of the major benefits of the introduction of JAMDEX, allowing more Jamaicans to participate in the formal financial system.
Participants were guided through the process of accessing JAMDEX through approved wallet providers, including the simplified onboarding and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. Members were also informed of the wallet and transaction limits currently in place for users.
The presentation highlighted that approximately 310,000 Jamaicans are currently using JAMDEX, while acknowledging that adoption has progressed gradually due to competing priorities among financial institutions and limited promotional activity.
Special emphasis was placed on the robust security measures incorporated into the platform, including strong multi-factor authentication designed to reduce fraud risks. Members also learned that JAMDEX offers transparent transaction histories, allowing users to better monitor spending and manage their finances.
Mario Griffiths, Division Chief with responsibility for Payment Systems at the BOJ
Mr Guthrie additionally outlined future developments planned for the platform, including offline transaction capabilities and the introduction of additional wallet providers aimed at improving accessibility and convenience.
CCRP welcomed the presentation as part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring that seniors remain informed and empowered as Jamaica’s financial and technological landscape evolves.
The organisation expressed appreciation to the Bank of Jamaica, Mr Wayne Guthrie, and Mr Mario Griffiths for engaging its members and providing valuable insight into the future of digital payments in Jamaica.
Brightstar Lottery Jamaica didn’t just fund the Made by Her workshop; they showed up for it! General Manager Debbie Green (second left) joins Kavelle Hylton (third left), CEO of STEM Builders Learning Hub, and supervisors from several of Brightstar’s After School Advantage Centres (ASAs), from left: Samika Prendergast, Zann Locke, Stacian Williams-Dyer, and Donique Nelson at the Summit in Kingston, where 27 ASA young women spent a full day learning soap production, branding, and pricing. The lab coats and pink gloves weren’t props. Neither was the commitment.
“Priority Pass Executives and the Club Kingston team”
In a major win for Jamaica’s tourism and aviation sectors, Club Kingston has been named “Lounge of the Year” for the Latin America & Caribbean regionby Priority Pass; rising above more than 350 airport lounges across the region to earn the prestigious title.
The recognition comes at a meaningful moment for Jamaica as the country continues to strengthen and rebuild its tourism momentum following the impacts of Hurricane Melissa. The award not only highlights the quality of Jamaica’s hospitality product, but also reinforces global confidence in the destination and its ability to deliver world-class visitor experiences.
Priority Pass is the world’s leading airport lounge and travel experiences program, with access to more than 1,800 lounges and experiences across 725 airports in over 145 countries worldwide. Its millions of members regularly rate and review their airport experiences, generating more than 700,000 reviews and surveys annually; making the awards among the most respected and data-driven recognitions in the global travel industry.
This year, travelers from around the world spoke clearly: Club Kingston stood at the top.
“This recognition is incredibly special because it comes directly from the travelers we serve every day,” said Tanya Beckford, the CEO of VIP Attractions Limited, Club Kingston and Club Mobay. “To be recognized by global passengers in this way is a tremendous honor not only for our team, but for Jamaica. It reflects the warmth, resilience, and excellence that define our people and our tourism product.”
At the award presentation on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Jeremy Dalkoff, Vice President of Partnerships at Priority Pass, praised the achievement, noting that the recognition reflects genuine traveler sentiment from across the globe.
“Club Kingston consistently delivers a standout experience for our members,” said Dalkoff. “What makes this award especially significant is that it is driven by direct feedback from travelers themselves. Earning the top spot in the Latin America and Caribbean region is a remarkable accomplishment and speaks volumes about the team’s dedication to service excellence.”
For the Club Kingston team, however, the award represents something even deeper; the opportunity to showcase Jamaica to the world through hospitality.
“Every guest who walks through our doors gets a chance to experience the spirit of Jamaica before they even board their flight,” Ms. Beckford added. “This award proves that those moments matter.”
The award arrives at a critical time for the country, as Jamaica continues efforts to drive visitor confidence, strengthen air connectivity, and enhance the overall travel experience. The recognition positions Jamaica even more strongly within the competitive Caribbean tourism market and highlights the importance of investing in quality guest experiences from arrival to departure.
Jamaica Highlights 