Tag: Digicel

Digicel Foundation and Early Childhood Commission Handover Inclusive Classroom to St. Thomas School

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).

Source: Jamaica Information Service https://jis.gov.jm/features/digicel-foundation-and-early-childhood-commission-handover-inclusive-classroom-to-st-thomas-school/

Digicel’s support for Special Olympics transforms lives

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.

Source: Loop Jamaica | Digicel’s support for Special Olympics transforms lives

Digicel Foundation donates STEM kits to Spanish Town High

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.”

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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.

Source: Jamaica Gleaner | Digicel Foundation donates STEM kits to Spanish Town High

Digicel Donates 30 Fully Loaded Smartphones to Assist CDEM’s Urgent Relief Efforts in St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines – Friday 23rd April 2021. In a further move to support the urgent relief and recovery activities in St. Vincent & the Grenadines in light of the La Soufriere volcanic activity, Digicel has ensured that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Authority (CDEMA) was hooked up and mobilised with a donation of 30 smartphones.

The smartphones come fully loaded with Digicel Prime Bundles featuring 222 GB of data – 12 GB any use data plus dedicated data for each of Digicel’s eight apps – plus 1000 Digicel minutes and 400 cross-network minutes.

CDEMA Acting Executive Director, Ms. Elizabeth Riley, said “CDEMA thanks Digicel for its generous contribution of mobile devices, which will enhance the work of the response teams on the ground. This kind of real-time partner support is critical during this crisis situation in coordinating humanitarian efforts for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.””

Commenting on the donation, Digicel St. Vincent & the Grenadines CEO, Fanta Williams said; “It’s our job to help keep people safe and to keep them connected. And of course, at times like these, being connected is of fundamental importance – so we’re happy to be hooking CDEMA up with smartphones and data-packed plans so that they can get on with the important work of helping people in need.”

Rising Star Winner Akeem “Short Boss” Smith partners with Digicel Foundation to renovate basic school in Portmore

The Reliance Basic School in Braeton, St Catherine is in for a major upgrade, thanks to a partnership between 2017 Digicel Rising Star winner Akeem “Short Boss” Smith and Digicel Foundation. Akeem has chosen the school as his charity of choice to benefit from the Foundation’s donation of J$1.5 million that’s part of his overall winnings in the talent show.

 

“The world is nothing without education,” said Akeem, whose daughter is in her second year at the early childhood institution. “The school is where we start to prepare our young ones to go out into the world. It is so important, not only for our community of Phase Three, Braeton – Portmore, but also for children from outside the area to come here and learn. It means everything to me.”

 

The funds will go towards renovation and expansion of classrooms, building a resource area, setting up a multipurpose room and erecting a perimeter fence. Akeem is elated that he is able to make such a great impact. He shared, “I want the kids from the community to have a more comfortable environment – a ‘home away from home.’ This will really encourage them to learn more.”

 

The school has been serving the community since 1988 and currently has forty-eight pupils on roll. Principal, Judith Royal Gardner welcomed the partnership and commented, “The Reliance Basic School is most grateful for the assistance.” She is especially delighted that the school will have a fence that will provide a safer environment for students. Principal Royal Gardner is hopeful that the planned improvements will help Reliance Basic to obtain certification from the Early Childhood Commission – a goal the administration is working hard to achieve.

Cheque Handover

CEO of the Digicel Foundation, Dane Richardson, said the Foundation is delighted to be partnering with another Rising Star winner this year. “We congratulate Akeem on his win,” Richardson shared. “We are happy to be working with him on this project. Clearly, he is a man with a strong community spirit, and this will be a welcome contribution.”

 

Principal Royal Gardner is optimistic about the future: “This is where everything starts. This is the foundation. We are looking forward to providing much more for our students, thanks to Akeem and the Digicel Foundation.”

Hero CPL and Republic Bank team up with University of West Indies for internship scheme

The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be partnering with the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus and Republic Bank for an internship scheme that will extend the opportunity for students from the Academy of Sport Cave Hill to intern with the Hero CPL during the tournament that will run from August 4 to September 9 2017.

The students will have the opportunity to experience on the ground training in sports management as they work with the assigned CPL team members in varying departments.

The select students will have the opportunity to travel with team members and work at the finals based on performance. As part of this partnership the Hero CPL will also provide access to team members who can facilitate sessions with the selected students on areas ranging from commercial rights to sponsorship activations. Selection for this programme is now complete and the four successful students are Joel Manning and Kyle Hinkson who will work with the social media and communications team and Shernell Charley and Rohansonn Waithe work along side the Hero CPL sponsorship department.

The successful candidates will be provided with travel, accommodation, a per diem to cover their expenses and a certificate of participation which will aide them in their future career. Dr Tara Wilkinson-McClean, Sponsorship Manager for Hero CPL said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for UWI students to gain valuable experience and contacts working at the biggest sporting event in the Caribbean. The Hero CPL is fully committed to helping to develop sports management skills across the region and we are really looking forward to welcoming these talented students into our team.”

“Like the Hero CPL team, Republic Bank is proud to be associated with developmental opportunities for young Caribbean people. This tournament provides opportunities for exposure to a myriad of disciplines critical to the success not only sports, but business in general and compliments our Power to Make a Difference programme, one of the basic tenets of which is the power to succeed,” said Debbie Stoute, Manager Marketing & Corporate Communications.

Mrs. Amanda Reifer, Head, Academy of Sport, Cave Hill Campus stated: “The Academy of Sport Cave Hill is extremely pleased to partner with Hero CPL to facilitate internship opportunities for our students in our sports programmes. Students will be able to apply what they have learned in the classroom in a practical and meaningful way, at an international level.

“We look forward to working with Hero CPL in the future to expand these internship opportunities to students not only at the Cave Hill Campus but across all of the UWI campuses. This initiative is timely as UWI launches the Faculty of Sport; a clear demonstration of UWI’s commitment to the further development of sport in the region. Thus, a partnership such as this aligns perfectly.”Joel Manning (intern), Dr. Tara Wilkinson-McClean (CPL Sponsorship Manager), Kyle Hinckson (intern), Debbie Stoute (Manager Marketing & Corporate Communications with Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited) Rohansonn Waithe (intern), Amanda Reifer (Head, Academy of Sport, University of the West Indies Cavehill)

Digicel expands loyalty programme – Partnership with Magna gives customers enhanced value and benefits

Contact:

Elon Parkinson ||Head of Public Relations

Digicel Jamaica ||+1876 990 2432

elon.parkinson@digicelgroup.com

Kingston, Jamaica – Wednesday, April 05, 2017: Digicel, in a new partnership with Magna Rewards, announced it is expanding its loyalty programme, making it easier for customers to earn additional benefits and redeem them in more locations across Jamaica.

Now, Digicel prepaid and postpaid customers who earn loyalty points when they spend from main credit balances, pay bills or purchase a new device, will be able to use accumulated points at select Digicel stores and over 50 Magna Rewards partners islandwide.

Magna Card

“As customers’ expectations continue to evolve, we are focused on delivering benefits that are important to them, said David Butler, CEO of Digicel Jamaica. “Our customers have always looked forward to converting their loyalty points towards cool phones and bill payments. However, many of them wished they could have used these points towards other purchases, and now we have delivered on their expectations.”

Digicel customers can now redeem loyalty points at hardware stores, travel agencies, pharmacies, supermarkets and service stations that are part of the Magna Rewards network. This progression-based programme is part of a broader approach to deliver even more value to prepaid and postpaid subscribers.

Customers who signed up to keep loyalty points under the previous programme are now free to use them at the expanded locations. Those who missed this March 31 deadline, may complete an application form at their nearest Digicel store or visit go.magnarewards/Digicel.

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About Digicel Group

Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After 15 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

Digicel Foundation Gives Freetown Primary School Smart TV, Projector

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Krystal Tomlinson, communications and engagement manager at Digicel Foundation, shares a word of encouragement with grade-five student Joseph Beckford as his classmate Danique Fogah and teacher Mark Blair look on.

Teacher at the Freetown Primary School, Mark Blair, shares with Communications and Engagement Manager at Digicel Foundation Krystal Tomlinson on how he’ll be using the audiovisual equipment to enrich the delivery of mathematics in his grade 5 classes. As part of the school’s numeracy intervention programme, Blair applied to Digicel Foundation for a ‘Mek A Muckle Grant’ to purchase a smart TV, projector and DVD player. His aim is to make math classes more interactive for students who were underperforming in the subject.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170215/digicel-foundation-gives-freetown-primary-school-smart-tv-projector

Home for the elderly to get help from Digicel Foundation

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Way back in 1978, Bob Marley, Lloyd Ferguson, and Tappa Zukie came up with the concept of building a home for the elderly in Trench Town, St Andrew.

Political violence was rearing its ugly head in the tough concrete jungle, and according to Ferguson, he and his friends were heartbroken by the fact that persons were relocating to other communities and the elderly were being left behind.

“We were just trying to reach out to elderly people here in the community and elsewhere who couldn’t help themselves,” Ferguson, manager of the home, told THE STAR.

Seven residents now live at the home, which is in need of infrastructural upgrades and other support.

“A nuff fix up this want,” Ferguson said. “This home is ever in need of any help we can get from corporate Jamaica,”

Ferguson recalled that Bob Marley was passionate about the home, but his death in 1981 meant he would not see it take shape.

However, with the untimely demise of the reggae legend, a group of Swiss, who were in Jamaica, took an interest in Trench Town. They raised thousands of dollars in Switzerland, which they sent back to Jamaica. The money was used to set up the Eira Schader Home for the Aged.

He said that the home now gets funding through the Bob Marley Foundation to the tune of $34,000 per month, which in insufficient to pay bills at the facility.

“We never really go out and ask anybody to help us because a we deal with it and keep it alive,” said Ferguson, who adds that employees at the facility work for meagre wages.

“This was Bob’s dream. I just sorry say Bob gone,” Ferguson said, noting that the home has been in operation since 1986.

The Eira Schader Home will be the beneficiary of funds collected from the sale of VIP tickets at this year’s staging of Redemption Live. The concert, which is free to the public, is being held in honour of reggae icon Bob Marley. VIP tickets will also be on sale for $4,000 each.

Just recently, Digicel Foundation joined forces with the home in an attempt to further develop a vegetable garden.

“We’ve also chosen to work with them to create a vegetable garden, and we’ve gone even further to connect them with representatives from RADA to ensure the activity can be sustained. This gives the residents an opportunity to enjoy a farm-to-table experience while spending quality time outdoors,” said Patrice Smith-Sterling, social enterprise and special projects manager at the Digicel Foundation.

Ferguson said that he welcomes any assistance that is now being provided. He added that if the home is repaired, it may be able to accommodate about 20 senior citizens.

Source: http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20170201/home-elderly-get-help

Digicel Foundation Gives Old Harbour High Mobile Lab

Old Harbour High School recently recieved a Mobile Science Laboratory as part of their prize for winning the 2016 Television Jamaica’s All Together Sing Competition.

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Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170126/digicel-foundation-gives-old-harbour-high-mobile-lab