Gathered to serve the needs of the students of Bull Bay Infant and Primary School are (from left) Lanceford Grant, education officer at the Ministry of Education and Youth’s Region 2; Esther McFarlane-Smith, school principal; Jodi Bernard Kerr, board chair; Terri-Kay McKoy Holmes, academics staff rep to the board; Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation; Tanisha Miller, acting on behalf of the executive director of the Early Childhood Commission; Karlene DeGrasse Deslandes and Yashieka Blackwood-Grant, acting director of Regional Educational Services, Region 2 and two students (front row) after signing a memorandum of understanding for the renovation of the infant section of the St Thomas-based institution.
DIGICEL FOUNDATION has signed three groundbreaking memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to transform the educational landscape in Jamaica by supporting three prominent institutions in their quest for excellence and inclusivity.
RENOVATION OF THE HOPE VALLEY EXPERIMENTAL SPECIAL EDUCATION CENTRE, ST ANDREW
The first MOU heralds a transformative chapter for the Hope Valley Experimental Special Education Centre in St Andrew. The Digicel Foundation is committed to funding the renovation of the school’s special education unit, ensuring it become a beacon of inclusive education for children with special needs.
As part of the scope of works, Digicel Foundation will be renovating the classrooms, bathrooms, the kitchen area, fixing a leaking roof and revamping the outside play area.
Christina Addington, education officer in the Ministry of Education and Youth’s Special Education Unit expressed gratitude to Digicel Foundation for its continued support in education. She said, “We really have to say thank you because the work that is being done is needed. The ministry does not always have the money to get what is needed to be done, so we really are appreciative of what is to come, and we know what has been done in the past. A big thank you to Digicel Foundation.”
ESTABLISHMENT OF A SMART ROOM AT THE MORANT BAY PRIMARY SCHOOL IN ST THOMAS
Digicel Foundation has collaborated with Morant Bay Primary School in St Thomas to establish a smart room to facilitate digital literacy and technological advancement for the students. This initiative underscores the foundation’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering the future leaders of Jamaica.
Morant Bay Primary’s Smart Room will be outfitted with 12 laptops, 12 tablets, a smart board, and a printer. A smart lock with also be installed for safety.
RENOVATION OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTITUTION AT THE BULL BAY INFANT AND PRIMARY SCHOOL IN ST THOMAS
Digicel Foundation will be renovating Bull Bay Infant and Primary School in St Thomas. The project is designed to assist the school in meeting the certification standards set by the Early Childhood Commission, ensuring that young learners receive the best possible start to their educational journey.
Jodi Bernard Kerr, board chair at Bull Bay Infant and Primary, said, “We are happy to see this investment being made for our children at the early childhood level. It is truly important that we get this certification as the development of the young minds at the school can only get better from here.”
Charmaine Daniels, CEO of Digicel Foundation, shared, “We believe in the transformative power of education and are honoured to partner with these institutions. We are excited to contribute to the growth and development of these schools, ensuring that they provide the best educational experience for their students.”
The signing ceremonies took place on October 21, marking the beginning of a journey towards improved educational facilities and opportunities for students in these communities.
Dr Terri-Karelle Reid (right) with Alteria Bent, a student of the Salvation Army School for the Blind on the Braille machine.
In honour of Blind Awareness Month this October, Dr Terri-Karelle Reid, a media and communications practioner, is collaborating with the Digicel Foundation to launch a campaign aimed at enhancing the educational opportunities for blind and visually impaired students in Jamaica.
The campaign, titled “Follow the Trail, Invest in Braille,” focuses on addressing the critical shortage of Braille machines at the Salvation Army School for the Blind – Jamaica’s sole school for blind and visually impaired students. Presently, only 26 Braille machines are available to serve over 130 enrolled students.
Dr Reid stated, “While we as a society discuss the importance of literacy and numeracy, we often overlook entire communities with special needs that require specialized resources to achieve literacy. Every child, whether blind or otherwise, must have access to equitable education. We are committed to ensuring that no one gets left behind.”
Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation, commenting on the partnership with Dr Reid said: “Every child has a fundamental right to quality education. We must uphold this right for our blind and visually impaired students as well. We aim to bridge the gap and empower these students with the tools they need to succeed.”
Together, Dr Reid and the Digicel Foundation hope to obtain funding from corporate Jamaica to purchase more Braille machines for the School for the Blind.
“Our goal is to provide 50 Braille machines to the school. Every donation, regardless of size, brings us closer to our objective. Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of these extraordinary young individuals,” said Daniels.
Students at the Jamaica-China Goodwill School in Trelawny.
The song He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, sung by The Hollies, played in my mind as we navigated the road to Morant Bay last Tuesday: “It’s a long, long road, from which there is no return, while we’re on the way to there, why not share?”
The road was not only long but also dangerous as there was no signage to tell us whether we were on a one-way or two-way section of the highway under construction. Some sections were as smooth as silk while others felt like a roller-coaster.
We were journeying to the Jamaica-China Goodwill Infant School in Morant Bay where Digicel Foundation created a Smart Room to stimulate the little ones with learning challenges and a colourful playground. The joy of the infants reciting “Love yourself and others will love you”, the enthusiasm of Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Chair Trisha Williams-Singh, and the dedication of the teachers remind us of “what is right with Jamaica”.
Our bittersweet journey reflect happenings in Jamaica over the past two weeks. At a political meeting there was the man with a chain around his neck being unlocked by Opposition Leader Mark Golding, supposedly to symbolise ‘liberation’ from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP); the optics enraged many.
We received the good news that the international rating agency Standard & Poor’s had moved Jamaica up from B+ to a BB- rating. Jamaica Observer senior reporter Josimar Scott quoted Keith Duncan, chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee on this positive development: “This ratings upgrade would also be driven by the institutional architecture with an independent central bank and the new independent fiscal commission which is being established along with the natural disaster risk mitigation strategies that have been put in place. This upgrade is a welcome development and should see Jamaica being able to negotiate better terms of financing of its debt and lower cost of capital for businesses.”
Further, taxpayers were relieved to hear from Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke that Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) has received an insurance payout of US$1 million which would pay their staff expenses as they wound up operations.
Resignation of Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert
But grey clouds gathered as we learnt that speaker of the House and Member of Parliament (MP) Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, in a report from the Integrity Commission, had failed to include a motor vehicle in her statutory declarations. There were calls for her resignation and she subsequently resigned as both speaker and MP, her letter noting: “I maintain to this day that the omission of the vehicle was a genuine oversight on my part. There would have been no allegations against my name had I included the vehicle in my declaration; therefore, I had no motive to have deliberately omitted it.”
Residents of the Trelawny Southern constituency, which Dalrymple-Philibert had served for 16 years, expressed deep disappointment in her resignation. Women who serve in various capacities can sympathise with the former speaker’s omission as they constantly juggle duties. In her letter she states, “As a woman maintaining a family and as a Member of Parliament, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and managing partner of a law firm, the toll that it has taken on me is immense.”
Greg Christie’s faux pas
Greg Christie
Then along came the attack in the car park of the Integrity Commission’s offices in which a director of corruption was shot (mercifully, no serious injury) and robbed.
There was general outrage when in response to a reporter’s request for a comment Greg Christie said, “Ask the Government that.” This foot-in-mouth moment was caught on camera and as it went viral calls came in from the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP), the National Integrity Action (NIA), G2K, and others for Christie’s resignation.
I found the comment by former Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) President Howard Mitchell to be compassionate, as he said he observed the stress in Christie’s expression and suggested that he take leave of absence and get counselling. He concluded his remarks by saying it may be best for Christie to offer his resignation. I have known Greg Christie for years as a brilliant attorney-at-law and outstanding professional. I am disappointed in his statement, which is unworthy of a gentleman of his calibre.
Both Dalrymple-Philibert and Christie acted out of turn. However, let this not erase the positive contributions they have made to this country.
ROM YARD PREMIERE
Congratulations to the brilliant David Heron on the grand premiere of the television series From Yard at Palace Cineplex last Monday. Heron took a courageous leap from marketing in the financial world in the 90s to follow his dream, becoming an acclaimed playwright and an off-Broadway actor in New York.
Now his journaling of his experiences as a young migrant to the US has evolved into his autobiography Yardie and the riveting series described as “one Jamaican man’s quest to find his personal and professional destiny on the rough streets of New York City”.
Proceeds of the premiere went to Bam Moms Club, towards prenatal guidance for underprivileged expectant mothers.
Farewell, R Danny Williams
R Danny Williams
This column has sung many praises to the magnificent R Danny Williams. When I remarked on social media that he helped to fund-raise for the first Rebel Salute’, readers were amazed at how far this great Jamaican stretched his hand.
It was a learning experience to sit at his feet as he chaired the fund-raising committee of the Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies. His focus and positivity raised the funds in record time. His beloved Jamaica College also benefited from his unwavering support.
His service in the private and public sector is unmatched and we are grateful that he lived to see the former Life of Jamaica building, now Sagicor, named in his honour, and to write his autobiography, instructing his people on the joy of servant leadership. Our deepest sympathy to his dear wife, Shirley, family members, and close friends. May his great soul rest in peace.
Our family star
Lowell F D Smith
We said a sad goodbye to our cousin Lowell F D Smith who we regarded as our family star. First, he put Unity Primary School in Westmoreland on the map when he was a close runner-up in the National Spelling Bee and the he won a Government Scholarship to St George’s College.
At St George’s, Lowell excelled in both academia and extracurricular activities. Not only did he consistently finish at the top of his class, but he became leader of the scout troop, the Debating Society, the Drama Club, and was editor-in-chief of the school’s yearbook The Lance.
Lowell met his beautiful wife, Lana, in law school at The University of the West Indies. He became a widely respected attorney-at-law, lauded by Gordon Robinson as a mentor. Lowell was an advisor to our company sharing witticisms, even as he did laser-like examinations of contracts.
During Lowell’s long illness, Lana devoted herself to caring for her beloved husband. Their faith and constant worship inspired our family. Our love and sympathy to Lana, their children, and extended family. May Lowell’s soul rest in peace.
Digicel Foundation Chair, Jean Lowrie-Chin, speaks during the handover ceremony for an inclusive classroom at the Jamaica China Goodwill Infant School in St. Thomas on Tuesday (September 19). The facility’s construction stemmed from a partnership between the Foundation and the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).
Students with mild to moderate physical and intellectual disabilities at the Jamaica China Goodwill Infant School in St. Thomas now have an inclusive classroom to further support their educational journey.
‘The facility, which was handed over by the Digicel Foundation on Tuesday (September 19), stemmed from a partnership with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the school, Foundation Chair, Jean Lowrie-Chin, informed that the room will cater to children aged three to six.
“Within the classroom, you will find a state-of-the-art sensory room, which includes panel mats, sensory lights, fibre-optic bean bags, a fibre-optic curtain kit, LED strip lights and noise-cancelling earphones,” she detailed.
Additionally, Mrs. Lowrie-Chin disclosed that the existing bathroom for the students has been retrofitted, a raft has been constructed, and a “bright and fun” outdoor play area has been renovated.
“The purpose of the classroom is at the heart of everything we do at the Digicel Foundation to promote inclusiveness. It means that no one is left behind; it means togetherness, including the little ones with special needs who need to feel loved and secure in their school environment,” the Chair said.
For her part, ECC Chair, Trisha Williams-Singh, applauded the Digicel Foundation for having “changed the landscape in Jamaica for special needs”.
“The Early Childhood Commission would like to thank you so much, and we encourage you to not only do more but I use this platform to ask other corporate Jamaica [stakeholders] to come on board,” she said.
Chair, Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Trisha Williams-Singh, speaks during the handover of an inclusive classroom at the Jamaica China Goodwill Infant School in St. Thomas on Tuesday (September 19). The facility stemmed from a partnership between the Digicel Foundation and the ECC.
Acting Regional Director (Region 2) at the Ministry of Education and Youth, Yashieka Blackwood-Grant, speaking on behalf of Acting Permanent Secretary, Maureen Dwyer, similarly hailed the Digicel Foundation for “rising to the occasion, especially when special education needs are in the conversation”.
“We commit, every time we receive a gift, to taking the best care of it because we receive it as an investment. We know that there are countless children who must benefit from this investment, and so… this investment is going to bring returns for years to come,” Mrs. Blackwood-Grant said.
This is the second inclusive classroom to be established under the ECC’s Jamaica 60 Legacy Project.
The first was established at the Bethabara Infant School in Manchester.
Digicel Foundation Chair, Jean Lowrie-Chin (left), and Chair, Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Trisha Williams-Singh (second left), enjoy play time with students at the Jamaica China Goodwill Infant School in St. Thomas, Amanda McKay (third left) and Travon Shaw, inside a new inclusive classroom at the institution. The space was handed over on Tuesday (September 19).
Beach clean-ups are one of the ways we can positively impact the environment.
Dear Editor,
Our natural environment is facing unprecedented threats. Phenomena such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution threaten the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystems.
More than ever the importance of environmental sustainability cannot be overstated. It is our moral responsibility to protect and preserve our fragile ecosystems. While large-scale initiatives and policy changes are vital, it’s essential to recognise that everyday actions can collectively create significant change.
Here are a few ways we can each play our part in ending environmental neglect:
*Reduce, reuse, recycle: Reducing, reusing, and recycling can be one of the most effective ways we can save natural resources, protect the environment, and save money. One way to reduce is to reuse. Instead of using plastic bags, bring reusable bags when shopping or packing food. Recently, the Digicel Foundation, under its environmental campaign called Good Energy, Clean Environment, revamped its staff initiative to collect and recycle plastic bottles. You too can reduce plastic and waste by improving recycling habits at home, school, and work.
*Conserve energy: There are small habits in our daily lives that can help to conserve energy. These acts include turning off lights, appliances, and electronics when not in use.
Earlier this year, the Government began the phasing out of the importation, export, manufacture, distribution, and sale or purchase of incandescent light bulbs. Jamaicans will soon have to switch to light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The switch to more energy-efficient bulbs can significantly lower electricity consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
*Beach clean-ups: Digicel Foundation’s annual beach clean-ups on International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day, which will be celebrated on September 16 this year, are not just about removing debris from shorelines, they are symbolic acts of care for our oceans and a reminder of the urgent need to reduce our plastic consumption. These clean-ups educate volunteers to reduce single-use plastics, promote responsible waste disposal, and raise awareness about the devastating impacts of pollution on marine ecosystems. Persons can visit the Jamaica Environment Trust’s (JET) website to learn how they can participate in ICC Day.
*Educate yourself and others: I cannot stress enough the importance of staying informed about environmental issues, sharing your knowledge with friends and family, encouraging conversations about sustainability, and advocating for informed decisions.
Simple, everyday actions can create a more sustainable world. Ultimately, these actions will not only improve the environment but also inspire others to join in the effort, leading to a brighter and greener future for all.
Miguel “Steppa” Williams
Director of strategic planning and community development
Nichoy Moses displays a VEX IQ robot he helped to build at the Digicel Foundation-sponsored iRobots summer camp held recently.
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Over 30 children at the primary level learned about robots and coding, as well as teamwork and creative problem-solving, at a recently held robotics summer camp.
The camp was organised in partnership with the Digicel Foundation, KRW Tronics and Jamaica Theological Seminary.
Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development at the Digicel Foundation, Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams shared that the camp has served as a launching point for young people interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) careers.
He said, “The camp offers hands-on experience in robotics technology and equips them with the necessary tools to inspire the next generation of young inventors, scientists, and engineers. The children were introduced to the exciting world of robotics, fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.”
Robotics camp instructor, Jerome Morrison, shared that the camp’s curriculum was expertly crafted to provide a hands-on and interactive learning environment.
“The children learned about the VEX IQ robot and how to programme it from a device. They also used the Scratch platform to build their own game. Most of the tasks given were completed collaboratively to help build team-building skills. Overall they showed high levels of interest in robotics,” said Morrison.
Morrison explained the importance of teaching children robotics skills from an early age. He noted, “We live in a much-computerised era now. They call this era the 4th industrial revolution which also involves STEAM education. Therefore, it is good for students to learn about these skills from a young age because, in the future, robots are going to be very common, almost as common as the laptop and smart devices that we use on a daily basis. It will be very beneficial to the children to learn about robots from now so it doesn’t become strange to them and as they grow, they will have an opportunity to enhance the knowledge and skills they developed from that young age.”
For 10-year-old Kiszey-Anna Clarke, the robotics camp allowed her to meet and interact with other kids. “I gained a lot of new friends who have similar interests as me. We can operate robots as a team and we learned a lot together.,” she said.
Meanwhile, for Nichoy Moses, a nine-year-old budding scientist, the robotics camp provided him with an opportunity to explore new skills. He said, “I learned a lot of things for the first time such as programming. I really enjoyed assembling the robot and making it move and do things at our command.”
Pearnel Charles Jr (third right, front row), Minister of Labour and Social Security; Jeneard Williamson (third left, front row), Digicel education and special-needs project officer; and Antonica Gunter-Gayle (right, back row), Early Stimulation Programme director, are joined by students of Stimulation Plus Child Development Centre and their parents. The occasion was a handover ceremony for school supplies donated by Digicel Foundation on Monday.
With a grand vision of creating a society where no one is left behind, Digicel has made substantial commitments to fostering inclusivity through its unwavering support of the Special Olympics national organisations across the region.
For years, Digicel has stood as a dedicated sponsor of the Special Olympics, recognising the transformative power of sports in transcending barriers and empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities. Their ongoing sponsorship has paved the way for countless special needs athletes to showcase their talents and dreams on the international stage.
This year, Digicel’s philanthropic arm, the Digicel Foundation, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment by donating a generous sum of US$40,000 (J$6.2 million) to support the Special Olympics Jamaica team at the prestigious Special Olympics World Games, now underway in Berlin, Germany. As the international spotlight shines on these exceptional athletes, the digital operator stands as a pillar of support, enabling them to realise their dreams and aspirations.
Digicel’s transformative impact is not confined to the realm of sports alone. Since its establishment in 2004, the Digicel Foundation has sponsored an array of projects dedicated to youth development, skills training, agriculture, and social enterprise.
They have been a driving force behind empowering people with intellectual disabilities, investing a staggering $US10.9 million in special needs initiatives in Jamaica.
The company championed a range of projects since the inception of the Foundation, including the distribution of 1413 tablets to individuals with special needs and the construction or renovation of 20 special needs schools.
To gain further insight into Digicel’s expansive activities and initiatives supporting the Special Olympics and beyond, we encourage you to watch the video featuring Charmaine Daniels, CEO of Digicel Foundation Jamaica. In this captivating interview, she sheds light on the myriad endeavors undertaken by Digicel, truly exemplifying their commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment.
The Digicel Foundation is helping to improve students’ performances in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas with the donation of equipment and educational material to boost the Spanish Town High School’s science lab and STEM programme.
The donation was made possible through a $3,000,000 partnership between the Digicel Foundation and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Building Out Our STEM Teachers (BOOST) programme.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held recently, Dr Andre Coy, associate dean for external engagement in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the UWI, Mona, shared that the STEM kits will equip students with the tools and resources necessary to excel in the rapidly evolving fields of science and technology.
Dr Coy said, “We get the best STEM teachers and we put them in schools that want to do STEM but don’t necessarily have the resources to do so. They don’t have the number of teachers they need and they don’t have the equipment they need. The BOOST programme is aimed at nurturing these schools.”
EQUIPMENT
The donated equipment includes advanced robotics kits, scientific laboratory apparatus, computer programming tools, and interactive learning materials.
According to Dr Coy, Digicel Foundation’s investment will contribute to the purchasing of STEM equipment benefiting participating BOOST schools across Jamaica. He said, “We recognised we needed a partner to help us with equipping the science labs and the Digicel Foundation did not hesitate. Once they heard STEM, they said yes.”
Acting Principal of Spanish Town High, Leopold Porter, expressed gratitude for the donation, emphasising the transformative effect it will have on the students and the community. “Thank you so much for coming to Spanish Town High and for seeing a need and filling that need. This is where the village, the community, the businesses and institutions make a marked difference in their lives. That out of this kind gesture, even more interest in will be taken in their academics in STEM and they will be the better for it, Spanish Town as a community will be better for it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shadae Smith, the science teacher at Spanish Town High School, described her experience teaching science as ‘life-changing’. “I have learned to be patient and how I can use little and stretch it to be so much. I have been nurturing the minds of young scientists while also growing and developing the passion and love I have for STEM.”
Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams, director of strategic planning and community development at the Digicel Foundation, said the equipment donation represents Digicel Foundation’s unwavering commitment to promoting equitable access to quality STEM education.
“STEM is something that is core in what we invest in. It’s good to invest in this level at the tertiary level, hitting the high school level, while we continue to work with the primary age, and continue to work across the community-based organisations.”
The UWI BOOST programme was conceptualised by the Faculty of Science and Technology to enhance STEM education in Jamaica by providing a continuous stream of quality science and mathematics teachers through an innovative ‘back-end’ incentivised scholarship scheme.
The programme is being executed in collaboration with the National Baking Company Foundation, the Faculty of Humanities and Education, the Office of Student Financing, The Mico University College, the Students’ Loan Bureau, the Jamaica Teaching Council, the National Education Inspectorate, the American Friends of Jamaica, NCB Foundation and Chemical, Medical and Scientific Supplies Limited.
Entertainer Richie Spice (centre) hands over items to the Rock Hall Primary principal while Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams, Community Development Manager at the Digicel Foundation, looks on.
The Richie Spice Foundation is giving back to the community of Rock Hall with a donation to the ‘Groovin My Girl’ singer’s alma mater – Rock Hall Primary.
In a handover on April 7, the singer presented eight tablets, one laptop and music equipment to the school’s principal. The donation was made possible through a partnership with the Digicel Foundation.
“I born and grow in Rock Hall, my siblings went to the Rock Hall All Age as it was them time,” explained Richie Spice. “I am the fruit and this is my root and Digicel Foundation help I man to set the Foundation once again with music and tablets for the youths.”
The Digicel Foundation has identified connectivity as a major issue for students in Jamaica, with a large push to provide devices to those in need. So far, the foundation has distributed over 1,500 SIM-enabled tablets to students.
“The Foundation continues to assist students with connectivity and devices,” said Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams, Community Development Manager at the Digicel Foundation. “This partnership with the Richie Spice Foundation is one of technology and music, as we seek to positively engage our children and our communities. Indeed we are better together, together we stand.”
In March 2020, the Digicel Foundation launched their Operation SAFE Mode campaign to ‘Sanitise, Advocate, Feed and Enable Students’ during the pandemic. The Foundation intends to reinvigorate this drive in 2021 as they continue to assist persons during the pandemic.
Jamaica Highlights 