Henry Thomas of UTC Steppers and Lloni Sharp were winners of the Male and Female Runner titles respectively in the fifth Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ) “Run for JA 5K” that took off at Emancipation Park on Sunday, 19 March 2019. Thomas finished in a time of 16 minutes 39 seconds, while Sharp completed the course in 22 minutes 19 seconds. More than 3,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair participants competed in the FFPJ charity event that is a fundraiser for the construction of houses for Jamaicans in need of shelter and for income generating projects.

Top male and female walkers in the 5K event were Duwell Allen (27:28) and Anna-Kay Swaby (32:56) respectively; both are members of the Shizzle Fit team. The Wheelchair/Paraplegic Category was competed for only by female participants and it was Sylvia Grant who took the top prize. Top sectional places for the FFPJ 5K Walk/Run, with finishing times, are as follows:

Male Runners

1. Henry Thomas (16:39)
2. Kosiani Dunkly (17:26)
3. Royale Gordon (17:35)

Female Runners

1. Lloni Sharp (22:09)
2. Olivia McKoy (23:21)
3. Annakay Edwards (24:27)

Male Walkers

1. Duwell Allen (27:28)
2. Lenworth Hunter (29:57)
3. Shavonne Henry (31:55)

Female Walkers

1. Anna-Kay Swaby (32:56)
2. Paula Sinclair (35:00)
3. Patricia Grant (36:04)

Wheelchair/Paraplegic

1. Sylvia Grant
2. Vinette Green
3. Maureen Saunders

Team Runners

1. UCT Steppers
2. Rainforest Seafoods
3. National Bakery

Team Walkers

1. Rainforest Seafoods
2. NCU 91FM
3. UCT Steppers

Youngest Male: Conor Chen 5 years old

Youngest Female: Dominique Hunter 5 years old

Most Senior Runner: Gerline Nelson 79 years old

“We are most heartened by the support for this event in terms of sponsorship and participation,” said Mr. Andrew Mahfood, Chairman of Food For The Poor. He notes that proceeds from four previous stagings of the event was able to fund the construction of two hundred and fifty (250) homes for needy Jamaicans, through individual registration and corporate sponsorship.

One Food For The Poor house costs US$3,800, including a water tank, septic tank and solar panel unit.  Over the past six years, FFP Jamaica has handed over a total of 5,149 houses to Jamaican families in urgent need of shelter. “This has been made possible by the generosity of FFP donors, to whom FFP Jamaica is extremely grateful,” the FFPJ Chairman adds.

A family and community atmosphere enveloped Emancipation Park for the FFPJ 5K as the Food For The Poor Band “Blazing Genesis” performed and showed why they emerged winners of 3 trophies in this year’s Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s Festival of the Performing Arts for “Best Instrumental Piece”, “Best Stage Band” and “Best Instrumentalist”. The Food For The Poor Choir also entertained with an inspiring original song entitled “Give With All Your Heart” that celebrated the life-changing programmes of Food For The Poor in the areas of Housing, Education, Health, Prison Ministry and Economic/Agricultural Projects.

Food For The Poor Jamaica reminds all Jamaicans who could not make it to the “Run for JA 5K” that they can still contribute to building a house for a needy Jamaican by making a one-time or monthly donation to Food For The Poor Jamaica and may contact them at 876-984-5005 or www.foodforthepoorja.org.

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IGT in Jamaica partnered with Dress for Success for an intensive one-day professional development workshop, which benefited ten students of the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation. The training took place at the Altamont Court Hotel in Kingston on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. It forms part of the ongoing support offered by IGT’s After School Advantage Programme, which provides support for underprivileged children by improving access to education through technology.

The highly interactive and empowering workshop, titled ”Journey to Work and Beyond: The B.O.L.D. and Beautiful Approach”, introduced the students to skills and strategies that would be useful to them as they moved from school to work, entrepreneurship or further education. The acronym “B.O.L.D.” (Believe, Opportunity, Love [Learning], Dream [Big]) sought to inspire and motivate the young women, while building confidence and self-esteem.

One of the participants, Altonette Whyte, found the “B.O.L.D.” concept inspiring. “I’m really glad I came,” said Altonette. “The workshop made me see things from a different perspective. I learned a lot.”A fellow student and aspiring doctor Jody-Ann Matthews appreciated the advice on what colours to wear for a job interview. She found the interaction highly motivational. “I learned that our smile shows we are unstoppable…And I learned the importance of acquiring the mindset for learning.”

Charmaine Lewis and Amanda Rose of Dress for Success also turned the students’ attention to the importance of setting ambitious but realistic goals and taking steps to realize them through careful planning. The young women then enjoyed a Vision Board activity, taking their work home with them to continue. The session concluded with practical tips on presentation and the appropriate makeup for employment interviews.

“It’s really about building their confidence, and allowing them to discover and present their best selves,” said trainer Charmaine Lewis. Colleague Amanda Rose agreed with her that the participants were “quick to grab the opportunities to volunteer and speak up.” Ms. Rose added that it was gratifying to “see the shoulders straight and heads held high,” as the students stepped out of the workshop “much more confident about their potential.”

IGT Jamaica’s General Manager Debbie Green observed: “We are delighted to partner with Dress for Success on this project, which will do so much to enhance the progress of these young ladies as they move on in their lives.” She added: “This seminar is a part of our efforts to broaden educational opportunities for young people under the umbrella of our After School Advantage Programme.”

The workshop was supplemented by a booklet containing additional information, tips and guidelines on interview techniques and resumé preparation.

The Women’s Centre Foundation of Jamaica, established in 1978, focuses on providing education and training opportunities for adolescent mothers, in addition to offering counselling and guidance on preventing further pregnancies for the young women, their partners and families.

 

Hearts of Gratitude! Children supported by the Digicel Foundation have fun while posing for their picture with (back, left to right) Sonita Abrahams, Executive Director, RISE Life Management Services; Shawn McGregor, Programme Manager, RISE Life Management Services; Jennifer Spence-Silvera, Programme Manager/Education and Special Needs, Digicel Foundation; and Juliet Campbell McPherson, Principal, St. Michael’s Primary School in Kingston.

Kingston, Jamaica – Monday, June 3, 2019: Students with special needs at St. Michael’s Primary School in downtown Kingston have been receiving additional support from the Digicel Foundation, through a programme administered by the non-governmental organisation RISE Life Management Services on sexual abuse prevention. The programme in nine schools, entitled Find Your Voice, ended on May 31. St. Michael’s Primary is one of three special schools in Jamaica selected by Patron of the Digicel Foundation Dennis O’Brien and his wife Catherine to benefit from extensive renovation, revitalizing the learning environment.

 

Principal Juliet Campbell McPherson noted that the school has eighteen pupils with special needs, who are integrated into the school – playing, working and eating lunch together. “It is inclusive,” said Mrs. Campbell McPherson, adding: “We want our children to be heard. Children are being abused and are afraid to speak – this is what is happening in society now. This programme has motivated them through the performing arts, music and other tools.” She wants students to be reassured that they can talk to trained personnel such as guidance counsellors, “who can comfort and support them.” The Principal said such programmes are “absolutely necessary, especially in the inner city” over the long term. Now that the school has resources available, it will continue to work with the students on prevention education, noted Mrs. Campbell McPherson.

 

Executive Director at the Digicel Foundation Karlene Dawson pointed to its long-term partnership with the school. “St. Michael’s is an example of the Foundation’s dedication to our youth, especially those with mental and physical challenges,” said Ms. Dawson. “We are pleased to have added this critical extra dimension to the excellent and much-needed programme conceived by RISE Life Management Services. Sadly, our children – especially those with special needs – are vulnerable, and need to understand these messages on how to keep themselves safe.”

 

“What is exciting about Digicel Foundation being able to come in with us is that we were able to go into the schools with disabled populations and work with those children – something that we have not done much of before. It was very well received and appreciated,” said Sonita Abrahams, Executive Director of RISE Life Management Services. She concluded: “I think it went very well, and we got excellent feedback. It has been exciting for our team, a wonderful success!”

 

Project Coordinator at RISE, Ms. Cammoy Robinson called the programme with special needs students “a very enlightening experience.” Her team collaborated closely with and learned from the teachers. She noted that many children responded “with their emotions,” and that the most effective way to communicate with them was through music. Songs explaining self-esteem, “good and bad touches,” and ways in which they can take responsibility for keeping themselves safe, delighted and resonated with the children, noted Ms. Robinson.

 

Principal Campbell McPherson, who has been teaching at St. Michael’s for 24 years, reiterated how much she values Digicel Foundation’s support. For her part, she says she wants her young charges to regard the school as “an oasis.”

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The Location! St. Michael’s Primary School in downtown Kingston is one of three schools in Jamaica specially selected by Patron of the Digicel Foundation Dennis O’Brien and his wife Catherine to benefit from an extensive renovation.

 

Full House: A full house at the Montego Bay Convention Centre at the opening of the Early Childhood Commission Professional Development Institute held recently.

Kingston, Jamaica – Monday, June 12, 2019: Teachers in the highly specialised field of early childhood education have received professional development training that will enhance the learning experience for children in basic and infant schools across Jamaica. Over 1,100 teachers participated in the Early Childhood Commission’s (ECC) Professional Development Institute, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre recently. The Digicel Jamaica Foundation was pleased to be a sponsor of this event.

 

Held under the theme “Creating Quality Learning Environments for Strong Foundations,” the workshops provided the teachers with valuable lessons on how to develop children’s cognitive skills that will enhance their ability to focus, learn and solve problems. They also covered other topics including teacher development and professionalism, creating active learning environments, using technology in the classroom, addressing behaviours and improving student health and safety.

 

“Our sponsorship of this event fits in with our long-term goals in education. It is all about building a strong support base for our children in their first 1,000 days,” noted Karlene Dawson, Chief Executive Officer of the Digicel Foundation. “We commend the ECC for its strategic focus and sense of purpose, as it seeks to offer its teachers opportunities for career development and ongoing training. This capacity building is critical in helping to raise and maintain standards in the sector.”

 

Ms. Karlene DeGrasse-Deslandes, Executive Director of the ECC, expressed her thanks to the Digicel Foundation for their support.

 

“The Early Childhood Commission embarked on a journey to train practitioners with an aim to fill the professional development gaps in the sector. Thanks to organisations such as Digicel Foundation for recognizing the need for the investment in our human capital. This contribution is invaluable. You have helped practitioners who will in turn impact the lives of hundreds of children, one at a time. On behalf of the team at ECC, I express sincere gratitude and look forward to partnering with you for the next staging of ECC’s Professional Development Institute.”

 

Since 2017, the Digicel Foundation has supported the Commission in its ongoing efforts to have more early childhood institutions registered, helping four infant schools to reach the required 12 Operating Standards. There are currently 167 certified early-childhood institutions island-wide.

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Congratulations! Chair of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, Mexine Bisasor receives an award for contribution to the sector on behalf of the Most Honourable Edward Seaga from State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information Alando Terrelonge. The occasion was the opening ceremony of the Early Childhood Commission’s Professional Development Institute held recently, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre

 

 

We are happy you’re here! Executive Director of the Early Childhood Commission, Karlene DeGrasse-Deslandes welcomes participants during the opening session of the Early Childhood Commission’s Professional Development Institute held recently, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

 

Teamwork for the environment: Ms. Shanice Shaw, Resident of Jerusalem! Home, assists Mr. Rohan Williams, Technology Manager of IGT Jamaica in unwrapping a Duranta Gold tree for planting at a pre-Labour Day exercise held recently.

A splash of golden green foliage will now greet visitors to the Mustard Seed Communities’ Jerusalem! after IGT Jamaica contributed toward beautifying the entrance to the home for Labour Day 2019. IGT donated 160 Duranta Gold seedlings which were planted by IGT staff and staff of MSC, Jerusalem! on May 16, 2019.

 

IGT General Manager Debbie Green pointed out that the home has “a special place in our hearts.” In September 2015, Mustard Seed Communities’ Jerusalem! was the first of five Mustard Seed facilities to receive an After School Advantage (ASA) computer centre from IGT Jamaica. “Our partnership with Mustard Seed continues to flourish,” said Ms. Green. “Last November, we opened the fifth Mustard Seed ASA Centre at the Matthew 25:40 home.  We remain steadfast in our efforts to use technology to empower our children who face developmental challenges,” Ms. Green added.

 

Mrs. Darcy Tulloch Williams, Executive Director of Mustard Seed Communities, expressed her gratitude to IGT Jamaica. “The computers have really been a lifesaver for the children,” she said. “IGT has been so generous in setting up the ASA Centre and in following up with us afterwards.” She shared her appreciation for the “wonderfully productive” relationship between IGT and Mustard Seed, noting also that the computers connect the children – who are living with various disabilities – to the outside world. “It has been extremely impactful in their lives,” declared Mrs. Tulloch Williams.

 

“These plants will bring beauty to the Home,” noted  Ms. Green. “They will enhance the surroundings and will positively impact the workers and visitors alike by creating a cheerful environment. At IGT Jamaica, we believe that quality of life is very important, especially for our most vulnerable citizens.”

 

Pointing to the theme of Child Month in May (“Encourage, Enable, Include ME”), Ms. Green also observed that IGT’s support for the Home, including this beautification project, has helped to create an empowering and safe environment for the children, who are differently abled.

 

Jerusalem! is located on 14 acres of land near Spanish Town. The residential care facility  houses a pre-school, a village layout for older residents, and agricultural initiatives. It provides a secure and supportive environment for over 150 children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. Skills training and formal education is available for residents who wish to follow a more independent way of life.

 

Mrs. Tulloch Williams added, “I am sending a big ‘thank you’ to IGT from the kids!”

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About IGT’s After School Advantage Programme:

The After School Advantage programme is IGT’s signature philanthropic programme providing computer labs for children ages 5-18 to use for homework assignments during the critical after-school hours. The programme strives to close the “Digital Divide” for at-risk children who are left behind because they do not have the means to access computers at home in today’s increasingly digital society. IGT offers the After School Advantage programme in jurisdictions where we do business. Since 2011, IGT and its subsidiaries have opened 39 After School Advantage centres in the English-speaking Caribbean. IGT has opened 14 After School Advantage Centres in Jamaica and 19 in Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Lottery and IGT have equipped one After School Advantage Centre in each of these locations: St. Kitts, St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Barbados; and there are two After School Advantage Centres in Antigua. IGT and its subsidiaries regularly upgrade computer centres and have made 19 further donations in new computer equipment, software, and employee volunteer hours.

 About IGT:  IGT (NYSE:IGT) is the global leader in gaming. We enable players to experience their favourite games across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Interactive and Social Gaming. Leveraging a wealth of premium content, substantial investment in innovation, in-depth customer intelligence, operational expertise, and leading-edge technology, our gaming solutions anticipate the demands of consumers wherever they decide to play. We have a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 countries around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has over 12,000 employees. For more information, please visit http://www.igt.com

Nice plant! Team members of IGT Jamaica, Trevor Thompson, Marketing Research Manager (left), Rochelle Brown, Account Development Rep (centre) and Nicholas Spence (second right) , Sales Manager, interact with the team from the Mustard Seed Communities, Mrs. Darcy Tulloch-Williams, Executive Director (right) and Ms. Suzette Dixon (second left), Administrator of the Jerusalem! Home at the tree planting exercise at the Home recently.

 

Good Job! GPS Coordinator of IGT Jamaica, Ms. Kellye Barwise (left) assists Ms. Nordia Lewis, Resident of Jerusalem! Home of the Mustard Seed Communities, in planting a Duranta Gold tree at a beautification exercise at the Home in Spanish Town recently.