Month: February 2019

Food For The Poor Celebrates 37 Years

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Feb. 20, 2019) Food For The Poor donors have been transforming the lives of the poor for more than three decades. Like the translucent alabaster stone associated with 37th anniversaries, the charity has remained strong, yet soft enough to allow its compassionate spirit to shine.

“Every anniversary is to be celebrated because each year comes with its own set of challenges that we must be ready to face,” said Food For The Poor President/CEO Robin Mahfood. “It takes tremendous compassion, hard work and genuine love for people to accomplish what our donors and staff have done in these past 37 years.”

Since its inception in 1982, Food For The Poor has built more than 83,550 homes, completed 2,391 water projects, and sent more than 87,000 tractor-trailer loads of essential goods to help families in the 17 countries the charity serves.

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HOME SWEET HOME: The generosity and compassion of Food For The Poor donors provided this family in Jamaica with a safe and secure home. The charity celebrates its 37th anniversary on Feb. 12, 2019, and since the organization’s inception, more than 83,500 homes have been built throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

Food For The Poor also has built, repaired or expanded more than 500 schools. Donors have built community centres that provide technical training, and implemented animal husbandry, agricultural and aquaculture projects, which are supplying the poor with ways to earn money to provide for their families.

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BRIGHT FUTURE: Food For The Poor is celebrating 37 years of dedicated service in the Caribbean and Latin America. Students in Jamaica use a computer station provided by Food For The Poor donors. Since its inception, Food For The Poor has built, repaired or expanded more than 500 schools.

In times of natural disasters, Food For The Poor rushes to assist.

On June 3, 2018, the Volcan de Fuego (Volcano of Fire) erupted and released a stream of lava and a cloud of hot rocks and ash over nearby Guatemala City. The eruption killed 194 people, according to published reports. Because of Food For The Poor’s continued support in Guatemala, various supplies were available to allow the organization to respond immediately with aid, which were distributed by the Order of Malta and Caritas.

On Oct. 6, 2018, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Port-de-Paix, Haiti. Hundreds of structures were damaged and 18 people were killed, according to published reports. Food For The Poor airfreighted kerosene stoves, canned sausages, blankets, flashlights with batteries, personal hygiene kits and tarps to the charity’s offices in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien.

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DISASTER PREP – FFP WAREHOUSE: Food For The Poor distributed disaster relief to several storm-ravaged countries, including the United States, with the help of partners and donors. The charity responded quickly to the deadly earthquake near Port-de-Paix, Haiti, on Oct. 6, 2018. In addition, kerosene stoves shipped to Haiti before the earthquake were directed to the relief effort.

Food For The Poor believes in second chances. For two decades, the charity has honoured the tradition of freeing non-violent offenders from Guyana, Haiti, Honduras and Jamaica’s prisons by paying their fines during the Easter and Christmas seasons. Thousands of former prisoners have been granted the opportunity to transform their lives thanks to the generous donors who support the charity’s prison ministry.

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GRATEFUL:  Prison Ministry Administrator at Food For The Poor Jamaica, Sandra Ramsey (in white) congratulates and embraces an inmate of Fort Augusta Adult Correctional Centre whose outstanding fine was paid by the charity, thus securing her release from the penal institution in December 2018.  Also witnessing the moment were superintendents at the institution.  

“Food For The Poor has developed into a multifaceted organization over the decades, allowing us to reach far and wide to help as many people as we can,” Mahfood said. “Because we are a faith-based organization, we always will give God the glory. Without God, none of what we do would be possible.”

Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for orphaned or abandoned children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

STUDENTS RECEIVE TECHNOLOGY BOOST AT SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE

Kingston, Jamaica – 06 February 2019: There were grateful hugs aplenty from the children, as the SOS Children’s Village in Stony Hill, St. Andrew welcomed a team from IGT Jamaica to their campus on January 22, 2019. Residents and administrators alike were enthusiastic about their IGT After School Advantage (ASA) Centre, which has made a difference in their lives.

Students were eager to demonstrate to their visitors how they were using the Centre, which comprises 10 computers. “We are able to keep up with the other children and complete our homework on time,” said Peter Johnson* as he completed a Math Quiz online on the Lexia Educational Programme. Lexia and similar computer programmes allow students to develop at their own pace without the group pressure that traditional classrooms often impose.

The Centre is in such great demand among the Village’s 72 residents, (ranging from primary to tertiary level students) that there is a strict schedule in place to ensure that the children have access who need it the most. Director of SOS Stony Hill, Mr. Marvin Simpson, noted: “We have to keep the Centre open until late at night to accommodate everyone – especially at exam time.” Mr. Simpson added: “We have a number of remedial programmes loaded on the computers, which have really helped our students to boost their grades.”

IGT Jamaica’s General Manager Debbie Green expressed her delight that the ASA Centre is so well used. “We are so pleased to hear that the students appreciate the Centre and are using it to improve their education and enhance their lives. The aim of our ASA programme has always been to provide opportunities for children who would otherwise not have access to computers where they live. We want to ensure no child is left behind along the digital highway.”

The ASA Centre at Stony Hill has been through “ups and downs” in recent years. Established in 2015, it suffered a major blow in 2016 when it was destroyed by fire caused by an electrical fault in the old main building. However, IGT Jamaica stepped in and provided new computers and other equipment.

Since the Centre – newly refurbished and equipped – opened in August 2017, it has become even stronger.  The “Aunties” (who administer the houses that make up the village) mentor and support the children in the computer lab, and the older students provide guidance to the younger ones and those with special needs. While the weekend schedule is a little more relaxed, the roster allows enough time for the children to research projects, complete homework assignments and prepare for school-based assessments. While academics come first, the opportunity to explore new horizons and simply enjoy browsing the Internet is also an important aspect of the students’ learning and development.

In addition to the computer lab, as part of IGT Jamaica’s mentorship and support for young people, Stony Hill students benefited from several outreach projects in 2018.  Several students living on the autism spectrum at Stony Hill received special attention from IGT staff during Autism Awareness Month last April, when they received gift baskets containing books, stationery, sensory toys and other materials. Students from Stony Hill and Barret Town Villages also joined a select group of young people for a special tour of the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) at the University of the West Indies last May. These experiences provided invaluable exposure for the young people to the world of work, technology and innovation.

There are ASA Centres at both SOS Children’s Villages in Jamaica – in Barrett Town, St. James (established 1971) as well as the Stony Hill village, where construction began in 1982. The villages were founded through the initiative of Dr. Harland Hastings, Mr. John Rollins and Professor Heinz Simonitsch. The goals of SOS Children’s Villages are to offer orphaned and abandoned children, regardless of race, nationality or creed, a permanent home; and to prepare them for an independent life. IGT’s ASA programme across the Caribbean strengthens the latter goal, aiming to provide these disadvantaged children with the tools for further development, through technology.

 “Thank you, the computers help us a lot!” exclaimed one eighth grader, as he excitedly gave out hugs to the visiting IGT Jamaica team.

*Name changed to protect identity.

The Digital Generation_IGT

The Digital Generation: Ricardo Callum (right), Field Service Representative of International Game Technology (IGT), takes a keen interest in the instructions being given by Marvin Simpson (2nd right), Director of the SOS Children’s Village of Stony Hill, to youngsters who are using IGT’s After School Advantage (ASA) Centre. IGT and its subsidiaries have opened 39 After School Advantage computer centres in the English-speaking Caribbean, including 14 such centres in Jamaica.

PROComm Makes a Splash in Celebration of Forty Years  

Kingston, Jamaica – February 15, 2019: PRO Communications (PROComm) Limited celebrated its fortieth anniversary on Thursday, November 29, 2018 – the exact date forty years ago that the company’s Founder and Executive Chairman Jean Lowrie-Chin signed her very first contract for her fledgling company, Public Relations Operations Limited. The contract was with the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, where the joyous celebrations were held.

Toasts, laughter and congratulations rang out, in an atmosphere of fellowship, as public and private sector individuals, custodes and high-ranking diplomats enjoyed the sparkling event, warmly blessed by His Grace, Most Rev. Archbishop Kenneth Richards. Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, Hon. Dorothy Pine-McLarty, O.J., raised a toast to PROComm, led by Mrs. Jean Lowrie-Chin, C.D. and Administrative Director Hubert Chin, congratulating them on achieving this milestone and pointing out that the ECJ is the longest client on record for the company – since 1995. PROComm worked with the ECJ in crafting several media campaigns with powerful but fair and unbiased messages of unity and respect ahead of general elections.

 

PROComm celebrated 40 years with anniversary party held on Thursday, November 29 at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Joining in a lively conversation are: Jeremiah Knight, US Embassy’s Counsellor for Public Affairs (left) Thalia Lyn, CEO of Island Grill and William Mahfood, Chaiman of Wisynco Group Ltd. In the background is Keith Collister, Senior Executive at ATL-Sandals
PROComm’s Founder and Executive Chairman Jean Lowrie-Chin (centre) happily joins Terra Nova executives Ruth Hussey, Managing Director (right) and Christelle Harris, General Manager at PROComm’s 40th Anniversary party on Thursday, November 29 at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Mrs. Pine-McLarty commended PROComm for their dedication to nation-building through various outreach programmes, including the PROComm Scholarship Fund and the establishment of the thriving non-profit organization Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), serving the needs of seniors, in memory of Mrs. Lowrie-Chin’s beloved mother. Master of Ceremonies Mr. Sydney “Tony” Lowrie pointed out that PROComm was “conceived from an act of kindness, and that has been a defining feature of their operations ever since.” Jean, Hubie and their company have given significant support to many worthwhile causes, while the firm is known for its dedication to strong principles of fairness, respect, balance and compassion.

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Hon. Dorothy Pine McLarty, Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, served by PROComm since 1995,  made a warm toast to the company during its 40th Anniversary celebration held at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Thursday, November 29. 

In her response, Mrs. Lowrie-Chin paid tribute to her “actual dream team” at PROComm, who are always willing to put out extra effort, pointing out that “every member…is a mentor for one of our scholars from Grants Pen, and a volunteer for CCRP.” She also saluted the work of PROComm clients, including Food for the Poor, IGT (formerly GTECH), GraceKennedy, Rainforest Seafoods, National Road Safety Council and EPOC; and made special mention of the outstanding work of the Digicel Foundation, of which she is Chair, which is working towards greater inclusiveness in Jamaican society.

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It’s all smiles from the PROComm team as they gather to cut their beautiful anniversary cake at their 40th Anniversary party celebration on Thursday, November 29 at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. From left are: Tashna-Toya Edwards, Sandra Lowrie, Noel Chin (back), Jean Lowrie-Chin, Errol Howlett (back), Hubert Chin, Yvonne Piper, Rachael Connery and Anita Chin.

PROComm’s first Scholar, Etmour Williams – now Sales and Marketing Manager at Ayrton Distributors – made a passionate presentation, expressing his sense of honour and privilege to be able to attend Calabar High School for five years. He thanked Mrs. Lowrie-Chin and Mr. Hubert Chin for their unwavering support for his educational endeavours both at high school and university.

To commemorate their 40th Anniversary, PROComm presented a total of $400,000 to three organizations: Archbishop’s Development Fund, Convent of Mercy ‘Alpha’ Academy and Stella Maris Church Ministries.

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Principals of PROComm Ltd, Hubert Chin and Jean Lowrie-Chin mark their company’s 40th Anniversary by presenting funds totalling $400,000 to Most Rev. Archbishop Kenneth Richards (centre) for The Archbishop’s Development Fund, Kali McMorris, Principal of Convent of Mercy ‘Alpha’ Academy and Christopher Cargill of Stella Maris Church Council for the Church’s Ministries. The presentation took place recently at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the first location of PROComm’s operations.

 

Trench Town Entrepreneur Building Harmonious Community through QYL Grant

Kingston, Jamaica – 17 February 2019: “I feel so positive. The feedback from the community motivates us.”

Daleon Salmon is the founder of Ragga Herbs and Tonics, a Trench Town-based social enterprise that produces organic drinks from local products – as Mr. Salmon says, “from Earth itself.”

Now, thanks to The Queen’s Young Leaders (QYL) Programme award facilitated through the Digicel Foundation, Mr. Salmon will strengthen the structure of his business to twice its current capacity, with the ultimate aim of exporting his products in the future.

The Digicel Foundation received a QYL grant of US$1.2 million over two years to expand its work in social enterprise development. Award winners receive a year-long tailored package of online-learning, mentoring and networking, and are provided with a one-week residential programme in the UK, during which they will receive their Award from Her Majesty The Queen.

The funds granted to Salmon’s social enterprise will enable them to acquire more equipment for processing their drinks – tasks which have usually been done by hand (such as grinding ingredients). As the enterprise expands and becomes more efficient, it will increase production and sales and thus increase income, create jobs and enhance profits. Alongside this expansion, Ragga Roots has a vision of supporting efforts to bring peace and unity among residents. To this end, the team will participate in and support (in cash or kind) social and cultural events, health fairs, sporting competitions and the like, to not only market its products but also share the message of good health with residents.

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SEALING PRODUCTS: Wilfred ‘Ragga’ Francis (left), founder of Ragga Roots Herbs and Tonics is joined by members of his team, Orette Bent (right) and Daleon Salmon in sealing bottles of their line of Ragga Roots products at their Trench Town based location. Ragga Roots is a recipient of a Queen’s Young Leaders grant through the Digicel Foundation to assist in the expansion of the social enterprise. 

The funds will enable Ragga Roots to empower the community with social interventions and skills training. Besides benefiting at least 60 students and young people through this training, it aims to reach out to the wider Trench Town area, which has an estimated population of over 27,000 (about one third under the age of fifteen, and about one half unemployed).

The surrounding community has, over the past seven years of the organization’s existence, responded positively to the products. “The feedback is always great. Our products have a ‘signature taste’,” says Mr. Salmon. He believes Jamaicans are becoming more aware of health issues and are taking a serious interest in holistic medicine.

What makes the Ragga Herbs and Tonics products special? As a member of the Rastafarian faith, Mr. Salmon describes his range of roots drinks and teas as spiritually inspired and “pure.” Ingredients such as medina, the sarsaparilla root and guinea hen weed are ground to a powder, boiled, simmered and bottled, or packaged as tea bags. Some drinks are sweetened with honey. Ragga also produces wines from mango and guava.

CEO of the Digicel Foundation Karlene Dawson observes: “We are thrilled to be a part of this programme which will unlock the potential of young people through social entrepreneurship. They can be change agents, reversing the trend towards violence and criminality. While creating economic opportunity and employment, the Queen’s Young Leaders will become a unifying and stabilizing force for youth and for the wider community.”

 

IGT Jamaica Celebrates Mustard Seed Communities’ 40th Anniversary with Fifth Computer Centre

Kingston, Jamaica – February 18, 2019: IGT Jamaica had its landmark opening of its fifth IGT After School Advantage Centre for Mustard Seed Communities, in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of an organisation that serves over 500 persons living with special needs and children living with HIV/AIDS.

 

The Centre, consisting of six computers, pre-loaded with learning software and a printer, was opened on Wednesday, November 14 at the Mustard Seed Communities’ Matthew 25:40 home for boys living with HIV/AIDS.

 

“This will be very helpful for our boys,” said Ms. Donna Reynolds, Operations Manager at Mustard Seed Communities, who noted that Matthew 25:40 currently accommodates 21 boys of high school age. “The home is located in the inner city, where access to technology is not always easy. It will also benefit some of the boys from surrounding communities, who will be able to use it alongside our own students.” She added: “We are very grateful to IGT for the assistance they have provided to several Mustard Seed Communities homes.”

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CONGRATULATIONS! IGT Jamaica’s Diane Walker, People and Transformation Partner and Rohan Williams, Technology Manager join a resident of Mustard Seed Communities – Matthew 25:40 in cutting a celebratory cake for Mustard Seed Communities’ 40th Anniversary at the opening of an IGT After School Advantage Centre at the residence on Wednesday, 14 November 2018. This is the 5th IGT After School Advantage Centre being opened at an MSC residence in Jamaica.

This fruitful partnership between IGT Jamaica and the Mustard Seed Communities (MSC) began in September 2015, when IGT Jamaica donated to the Jerusalem home in Spanish Town. The Mary’s Child and St. Anthony’s Homes, as well as the Gift of Hope Children’s Home in Mandeville and Sophie’s Place in Gordon Town, have already benefited from IGT’s educational support through the ASA Centres. Most recently, The Little Angels Learning Centre benefited from a redesigned computer lab at Sophie’s Place with five additional computers and furniture, handed over on September 18.

 

“This is our fourteenth After School Advantage Centre in Jamaica. The donation underlines our continued commitment to providing digital resources for Jamaica’s most vulnerable children,” said IGT Jamaica, General Manager Debbie Green. “Mustard Seed Communities is a remarkable organization and we wish to congratulate them on their fortieth anniversary. The children they serve will benefit from access to the latest technology, affording them the opportunity to expand their educational horizons. We are proud to continue our partnership with Mustard Seed, to the benefit of its wonderful children.”

 

IGT Regional Director, Brendan Hames, re-iterated the company’s delight in partnering with Mustard Seed. “This outstanding organisation has risen to the challenge of serving some of the most vulnerable in the society and it is our distinct honour to support them in providing a higher standard of educational delivery through technology.”

 

The After School Advantage (ASA) Programme sponsored by IGT, formerly GTECH, seeks to bridge the “Digital Divide” for children (ages five to 18 years), who are normally unable to access computers in their daily lives. The ASA Programme provides non-profit organizations with digital resource centres, each specially designed to fit the recipient’s needs.

 

Matthew 25:40, established in 2002, is one of three homes in Kingston serving abandoned and orphaned children living with HIV/AIDS under the umbrella of its Dare to Care programme. The homes provide shelter and support for approximately 80 children. Dare to Care’s unique programme ensures that the children live their best possible lives, encompassing medical care, education, and emotional and spiritual support.

 

The IGT After School Advantage Programme, is the major philanthropic initiative for IGT, formerly GTECH, which has been the online lottery technology provider to Supreme Ventures Limited since it began selling online draw games in 2001.

 

IGT maintains its support for all IGT After School Advantage (ASA) partners by providing consistent maintenance and software upgrades to the equipment provided to the ASA Centres.

 

 

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TEAMWORK: IGT’s Shavindra Tewarie-Singh, People and Transformation Manager (2nd left), Tracey Robinson, Senior Director of Finance (3rd right) and Brendan Hames, Regional Director (4th right) join the IGT Jamaica team, led by Debbie Green, General Manager (5th right) for the opening of the 5th IGT After School Advantage Centre at a Mustard Seed Communities residence in Jamaica. They were hosted by Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon (centre), Founder of Mustard Seed Communities, at the official opening ceremony of the Centre at Mustard Seed Communities – Matthew 25:40 on Wednesday, 14 November in downtown Kingston.

 

 

PORT ANTONIO HOSPITAL RECEIVES OVER $1.6 MILLION IN EQUIPMENT FROM DIGICEL FOUNDATION

Kingston, Jamaica – February 15, 2019. Digicel Foundation recently partnered with King’s House to provide much needed medical equipment to the Port Antonio Hospital in Portland. The hospital’s Chairman Hugh Perry, CEO Althea Gardner and staff of the hospital, which has a complement of over 200 health care professionals, welcomed the visit from Their Excellencies, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen.

Digicel Foundation Chair Jean Lowrie-Chin accompanied Sir Patrick and Lady Allen, as well as the Custos of Portland Lincoln Thaxter on a two-hour tour of the hospital. The group visited both the Maternity and Paediatric Wards. During their visit, Mrs. Lowrie-Chin announced to the delighted administrative and nursing staff that Digicel Foundation has purchased critical medical equipment for donation to the health care facility. The Foundation will donate an Electronic Patient Care Monitor, a Defibrillator, a Nebulizer and an Electronic Foetal Monitor, valued at over J$1.65 million. The equipment was provided following a needs assessment at the hospital.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen congratulated the Port Antonio Hospital on its 75th anniversary. Commenting on the pressure that many health care institutions find themselves under due to increased demand for their services, he said: “Today we pause to show appreciation to you who do so much with very little. Despite the scarce resources, you have not allowed this constraint to compromise your mandate to deliver the best possible service to your patients.”

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A GIFT OF LOVE: Governor General Sir Patrick Allen (centre) and Lady Allen (second right) are joined by, from left, Lelete Holson-Patterson, Director of Nursing Services, Port Antonio Hospital, Mrs Althea Gardner, CEO, Port Antonio Hospital and Jean Lowrie-Chin, Chairman, Digicel Foundation for an official tour of the hospital recently. Digicel Foundation procured equipment for the hospital valued at over $1.6 million.

Noting the value of private sector partnerships that the hospital has benefited from, Sir Patrick thanked the Digicel Foundation for its generosity in providing the much-needed equipment.

“This equipment will not only help to save lives,” said Mrs. Lowrie-Chin, Chairman of Digicel Foundation. “It also reflects the Foundation’s goals of strengthening communities – including our friends and partners in rural Jamaica, where access to healthcare is particularly important for the quality of life of our citizens outside urban areas. We are so happy and honoured to join Their Excellencies, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen on their tour of the hospital. We know that, as a former nurse herself, Lady Allen has a particular interest, and truly cares about improving the health and wellbeing of Jamaican citizens. We at Digicel Foundation feel the same way.”

Digicel Chairman donates JA$16.5M to Mustard Seed Communities for new multi-purpose centre

Kingston, Jamaica – 15 February 2019: The staff and residents of the Mustard Seed Communities are gearing up for the construction of a new multi-purpose centre at their St Catherine-based Jerusalem residential care facility for children with special needs. This, after receiving a JA$16.5 million grant from Digicel Chairman Denis O’Brien through the Digicel Foundation.

The funds were handed over to founder of the Mustard Seed Communities, Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, at the Digicel Headquarters in downtown Kingston, on Monday January 28.

The new multi-purpose centre will house an art therapy room, arts and craft and woodworking workshop, a home economics centre, distance learning, and computer education area for residents and staff, a large multi-purpose reception hall, a large storage room, an office, gift shop and a classroom for adult literacy

The centre will be the second of its kind to be built by the Digicel Foundation for Mustard Seed, following the construction of Jacob’s ladder in St Ann, completed in 2014. The Jacob’s Ladder facility was established to expand the scope of skills training being offered to adult residents with Special Needs. In addition, six residential cottages were constructed on the property to expand the living facilities.

“After seeing how much the facilities enhanced the day-to-day lives of staff and residents at Jacob’s Ladder, we’re so happy to be able to do the same for the group at the Jerusalem Community,” said an enthused Darcy Tulloch- Williams, Executive Director of Mustard Seed Communities Jamaica.

She continued, “Often times the special needs community is ignored. However, Digicel and Mr. O’Brien are always there to assist, and for that we’re very grateful.”

Founder and patron of the Digicel Foundation, Denis O’Brien responded, “Through this partnership with Mustard Seed, we continue to enhance the lives of persons with special needs. Valuable skills will be learnt here; skills that will empower and prepare our young people to participate in the society and lead wholesome, productive lives,” O’Brien commented.

The Mustard Seed Communities was established in 1978 in the impoverished community of Mona Common on the outskirts of Kingston, as a home for a handful of abandoned and disabled children.

Today, the group has expanded to serve over 600 children, young adults, and families who belong to the most vulnerable groups in Jamaican society. The populations of the homes, which now are spread across the island, include children and young adults with disabilities, children affected by HIV/AIDS, and teen mothers along with their babies. The Mustard Seed Communities also manages a number of community outreach programs to combat poverty and provide education to local populations.

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LABOUR OF LOVE: Denis O’Brien, Digicel Chairman, recently announced his donation of $16.5 million towards the construction of a multi-purpose centre by Mustard Seed Communities at their Jerusalem residence in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Joining him for the special occasion, at Digicel’s flagship dealer store in downtown Kingston are, from left: Executive Director of the Mustard Seed Communities Jamaica (MSC) Darcy Tulloch-Williams, Chairman of the Digicel Jamaica Foundation Jean Lowrie-Chin, Founder of MSC Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, Digicel Jamaica Foundation CEO Karlene Dawson and Father Garvin Augustine, Executive Director of MSC International.

About Digicel Foundation:

Our vision is to help create a world where no one gets left behind. Fully supported by everyone in Digicel, over the last 14 years the Digicel Foundation has completed 1,173 projects and helped over 623,000 people in Jamaica. Concentrating on the areas of education, special needs and community empowerment, we work with communities to develop and implement meaningful interventions. To date, we are delighted to have given back over US$33 million island-wide.

The Foundation’s programmes seek to impact key markers of social and economic development. We achieve this by partnering with governmental and non-governmental organisations, communities as well as individuals to provide critical tools of upliftment that will deliver a measurable impact to the most challenged and disenfranchised citizens. By tapping into community roots and expanding opportunities, we are able to positively impact lives in a sustainable way.

For more information about the Digicel Jamaica Foundation, please visit our website at www.digiceljamaicafoundation.org or follow us @digiceljamaica on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.