Month: August 2026

Digicel Foundation Delivers Back-to-School Relief to 500+ Students AmidHurricane Recovery

Joy 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 Jamaica’s 16th Band Camp a resounding success

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. 

CCRP Reflects on a Year of Advocacy and Action!

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.