Tag: Education

Digicel Foundation rolls out its Safer Internet Together Programme, targeting Jamaicans of all ages

On Tuesday, February 11, 2025 the Digicel Foundation launched their ‘Safer Internet Together’ (SIT) programme at The UWI, Mona. The programme, which was launched on Safer Internet Day 2025, targets STEM programmes at over 150 educational institutions. From left: Avryl Francis, Security Operations Manager, Digicel; Antoinette Heirs, Digicel Foundation Board Director; Dr Terri-Karelle Reid, Founder of Open Door Jamaica Foundation; Charmaine Daniels, Digicel Foundation CEO; and Joy Clark, Board Chair of Digicel Foundation.

The internet offers a world of possibilities, providing benefits and opportunities. It has made everyday life more convenient and knowledge more accessible. However, the online world is far from perfect. It has become a confusing, complex space for many Jamaicans to navigate. At times, the internet can seem like an unsafe place to be.

What are the dangers lurking in the digital landscape – and how can we protect ourselves? Addressing these concerns, the Digicel Foundation officially launched its Safer Internet Together (SIT) Programme on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. This year-long initiative puts the emphasis on online safety, digital responsibility and cyber awareness – for all Jamaicans. 

The launch event at the Mona School of Business and Management, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, observed Safer Internet Day 2025, under the theme “Together, For A Better Internet.” Digicel Foundation will roll out the SIT initiative in 150 educational institutions, in partnership with the ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, STEM Builders Learning Hub, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Sunshine Snacks, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), and MacMillan Education.

As CEO of Digicel Foundation Charmaine Daniels pointed out [in a Letter to the Editor] the programme of activities will be inclusive, “engaging diverse groups across the country on digital literacy and online responsibility.” Daniels added: “Furthermore, in partnership with the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), we will conduct specialised sessions during Senior Citizens’ Month in September to help older adults recognise and protect themselves against online threats.”

Marcelo Cataldo, CEO of the Digicel Group explained the programme’s goal: “We work every day to have our Internet available to our customers, but we are also mindful of the potential risks that the internet poses for young children. With the Safer Internet Together programme, we intend to raise awareness on how to mitigate the space carefully, with the help of all our sponsors.”

“Our responsibility at Digicel is to work together to help the new generation to be safe and to be protected.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Technology, Leonardo Brown, in a dynamic presentation at the launch, reminded participants: “The internet and connectivity never forgets; whatever you post remains somewhere.”

Audience member Christoph Tucker reacted: “This day provides opportunities to learn about online risks, how to stay safe online, where to get help, and how to gain a better understanding of the laws.” He stressed: “There are so many young children nowadays using tablets. We want to ensure that they’re always safe and exposed to the right content, so that they become good people within our society.” 

The Digicel Foundation CEO urged stakeholders and Jamaicans, young and old: “As we observe Safer Internet Day, let us commit to making the internet a place of opportunity rather than a source of harm. Let us foster a culture of responsible digital citizenship, ensuring that everyone – regardless of age or background – can explore the online world safely and confidently.”

Source: Jamaica Observer

Digicel Foundation brings ‘Play Day’ joy to children at Early Stimulation Plus

A young girl beams with joy while enjoying the see-saw with the support of Digicel Foundation CEO Charmaine Daniels at the Early Stimulation Plus Development Centre in Kingston on Wednesday.

DIGICEL Foundation made ‘Play Day’ extra special for the children at the Early Stimulation Plus Development Centre in Rockfort, Kingston, by spending a morning engaging in games and fun activities.

February has been designated as Play Month by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), a celebration endorsed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica Office.This year’s theme, ‘Bringing Back the Game of Play Through Traditional Games — Out of Many, One People,’ highlights the importance of play in early childhood development while embracing Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage.

During the visit, Digicel Foundation staff and board members joined the children in classic Jamaican games such as dandy shandy and hopscotch.In addition to the interactive play activities, the Digicel Foundation also donated crayons and colouring books to the school, providing the students with creative resources to support their learning and development.

Charmaine Daniels, CEO of Digicel Foundation, emphasised the significance of supporting institutions like the Early Stimulation Plus Development Centre.“The Early Stimulation Plus Development Centre is dear to us, as it is one of the 21 special needs schools we renovated a few years ago. Play is an essential part of childhood development, and we are delighted to be part of this initiative that brings joy, inclusion, and learning to these children,” said Daniels.

She pointed out that the Digicel Foundation has been a longstanding advocate for children with disabilities, investing over US$11.8 million in special needs initiatives across Jamaica since inception.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Schools urged to maximise use of smart labs

Amira Anderson of Mountain View Primary and Infant School interacts with the Coldax Smart touchscreen device donated by Digicel Foundation. Looking on from left are Mountain View Primary Principal Michelle Robinson, student Steve Richards, senior operations manager at Digicel Foundation Jodi-Ann McFarlene; and Leanne Spence, product training and development manager at Coldax Smart. Occasion was the official handing over ceremony of a smart lab by Digicel Foundation to Mountain View Primary and Infant School on Wednesday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

With Mountain View Primary and Infant School becoming the 12th school to receive a new smart lab from the Digicel Foundation, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education Dr Kasan Troupe is urging teachers to maximise the use of technology in schools and give students more opportunities to engage with the devices.

“Teachers, do not be afraid of it. It is for use, for learning, for exploring,” she said at the handing-over ceremony of a smart lab on Wednesday at the Mountain View Primary and Infant School.

Dr Troupe expressed disappointment that, based on her observations, some schools have not been making full use of these devices mainly due to the fear of students damaging them. However, she is urging teachers to take a different approach by spending more time training students to use the devices instead of locking them away.

“I have had the opportunity to go into some schools and see the labs closed because teachers are fearful that the students will damage the equipment. We just need to train the students how to utilise the devices. But do not lock it away from the children. Please give them access, please excite them as they continue to champion their future with the support of the Digicel Foundation, the Ministry of Education, and the families who continue to partner in education,” she urged.

Dr Troupe used the opportunity to laud the Digicel Foundation for its support and commitment, especially with the challenges still affecting the education sector.

“Whenever you invest in education you invest in the future of our country and the Digicel Foundation has always been with us. When COVID came, we knew not what to do and we had our students with special needs who were at a disadvantage because they were out of the space, and the Digicel Foundation was the first entity to partner with the Ministry of Education to make sure that there was access to our students with special needs,” she saidAdditionally, enrichment programme specialist at the Ministry of Education Shauner Murray echoed Dr Troupe’s sentiments, emphasising the need to prioritise sustainability to ensure long-term durability of the devices.

“There ought to be a way to help stakeholders to understand the value of what they have so that after the initial planting of these seeds, these ventures can be sustained. Sustainability has to be a key aspect of our understanding. Sustainability is critical so that this immeasurable value will not just serve those who are current, but will serve those who are to come, especially the younger children entering grade one,” said Murray.

She urged parents, teachers and other representatives in the Ministry of Education to protect these investments and maximise their potential.

In the meantime, board chairman at the Mountain View Primary and Infant School Howard Chamberlain Jr expressed gratitude for the Digicel Foundation’s contribution, noting that the smart lab will have a positive impact on student performance at the school, especially in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP).

He said the lab will play a major role in bridging the digital divide among students at the school.

“We are placed in an area, in a community where the majority of the students that come to us are at-risk [and] majority of the students that come to us are from low-income families, and as such our role and our job is very important to ensure that we guide them on a path that they can further enrich their lives and develop their communities,” he said.

The lab, he added, is an important step for students and teachers to embrace the importance of involving more technology in schools.

“This smart lab comes at an important time where we are pivoting or shifting our focus to see how best we can push the use of technology in education here at Mountain View; we hear about AI coming up, kids using phones, and stuff like that, and we are having this tug-of-war with them, to push them to the sort of book and pencil that we grew up on, but the truth of the matter is that this generation has changed. They are far ahead of us and some of these technology and these intellectual programmes, we have to embrace them and find ways to include them in education,” he said.

The smart lab is outfitted with laptops, tablets and a smart board that will be used to facilitate teaching and learning at the school.

The Digicel Foundation smart labs project is an initiative aimed at equipping 21 schools across Jamaica with technology to enhance learning and bridging the digital divide in schools.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Digicel Foundation 20 for 20 Grants to communities at Digicel HQ Downtown Kingston

From Right: Charmaine Daniels, CEO of Digicel Foundation
little girls- Salt Spring Primary students – Rickayla Warlock and Ty’aira Young;  
Boys in picture : Kaneil Whilby and Raveesh Brown, Students of Prickly Pole Primary & Infant School;
Lady in Red – Judith Whyte Gayle, Principal, Prickly Pole Primary & Infant School;
Lady in Black : Norma Brydson – Principal Salt Spring Primary & Infant School

Community groups across Jamaica are invited to apply for the Digicel Foundation’s 20 for 20 for 20 Grants.

The grants which are in celebration of the Foundation’s 20th anniversary, will run until August 30, 2024. Registered non-profit organisations, including community-based organisations, special needs organisations, social enterprises, and schools, can apply for grant funding of up to US$20,000 to implement community initiatives that focus on one of the following subject areas: youth development; ICT development; environmental sustainability; Special Needs support and education.

“We are happy to celebrate this milestone anniversary by giving back to the communities we serve,” said Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams, Director of Strategy and Community Development at the Digicel Foundation. “Our 20 for 20 for 20 Grants will empower local organisations to drive meaningful change and create lasting impact.”

Source: Digicel Foundation Online

New smart lab big boost for deaf students

(From left) Student Morsell Weir; communications officer at Digicel Foundation, Kedisha Clarke; principal at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, Kingston Campus, Terri Ann Bernard and mathematics teacher, Leah Gregg engage with the smartboard in the smart lab at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf on Monday. Photos: Karl Mclarty

CAROL Robertson, board chair at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, is optimistic that the school’s new smart lab, courtesy of the Digicel Foundation, will create “a more level playing field” for students now and in the future as they navigate and find new ways to bridge the gap for students living in Jamaica with disabilities.

“Technology and the way that it is being used now actually creates a more level playing field because you no longer have to be impatient with the communication barriers of the hearing world,” Robertson told the handing-over ceremony held at the school’s Kingston campus on Monday.

She told the students that they can now adequately represent themselves and participate in the world out there — the global economy — through digital tools, which she said is very important.

Robertson noted that this initiative is important for students as it provides them with a platform to grow and sharpen their skills, despite their challenges.

“There are many persons out there in the world who are performing very skilled professions behind a digital screen and they are having the same results simply because they are no longer viewed as somebody who needs extra assistance. I am a part of your community, and we feel that we don’t necessarily get all open doors because people assume that we can’t,” said Robertson.

She urged students to make use of the devices and capitalise on the opportunity gifted to them by the foundation to maximise their potential.

“Get involved [because] technology will always be scary for somebody. Don’t let it be scary for you. Embrace it, and as the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf and everything that we represent that is godly, it is your responsibility to use the technology in a positive way, honouring God as you go while you use it to serve yourselves,” Robertson said as she encouraged the students.

The Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, Kingston campus, became the 13th school to receive a smart lab under the Digicel Foundation project to put 21 smart labs into schools.

However, this contribution stands out for more than just providing 12 laptops, 12 tablets, and an interactive smart board like other schools in the programme. According to Kedisha Clarke, communications officer at Digicel Foundation, the room also includes customised features tailored to the unique needs of the students.

“So the space was specially retrofitted to meet the unique needs of our deaf students, [and] the advancements include a visual alert doorbell providing a visual cue for students and staff, a network-attached storage system enabling the recording and storage of large video files, including sign language recordings [and] a high quality webcam facilitating clear and effective communication through video conferencing and online learning platforms,” she said. This smart lab is the second to be established in a special needs institution and the first ever by the foundation in a school for the deaf.

In the meantime, the school’s principal, Terri-Ann Bernard, reflected on the process of building the smart lab, noting that it offers teachers the opportunity to diversify their lessons by introducing students to more interactive learning methods.

“When I bring experiences to them it sticks more. So an interactive board like the one that we’re about to demonstrate definitely goes for that interactive doing, which makes learning happen to a different academia, different learning styles, and the interactive tactile and kinaesthetic where you’re doing things and taking on concepts and making them come to real life is one of the things that Ithink definitely resonates with our students,” said Bernard.

Acting executive director of the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, John Meeks, also expressed his gratitude for the smart lab, emphasising how the partnership aligns with the school’s mission of “reaching, teaching, and nurturing” deaf students.

“When you bring two visions together — the Digicel Foundation’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and our mission to reach, teach, and nurture the deaf — the synergy created, the coming together of organisations, foundations with a vision of taking people to the next level only speaks well for the future,” Meeks said.

He emphasised that the smart lab is not just a technological upgrade but a transformative tool that will help bridge communication gaps and empower students.

(From left) Principal at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, Kingston Campus, Terri Ann Bernard; student Mackalia Sturlin; Communications officer at Digicel Foundation, Kedisha Clarke; chair of the centre Carol Robertson; acting executive director John Meeks; and student Nathaniel Ross cut the ribbon to signal the opening of the school’s new smart lab.

MBJ Airports Ltd 5K/10K Charity Run/Walk raises $11-m for academic grants

Sangster International Airport (IATA: MBJ, ICAO: MKJS) is an international airport located 3 mi (4.8 km) east of Montego Bay, Jamaica. The airport is capable of handling nine million passengers per year. It serves as the most popular airport for tourists visiting the north coast of Jamaica. The airport is named after former Jamaican Prime Minister Sir Donald Sangster.

ST JAMES, Jamaica – MBJ Airports Limited, operators of Sangster International Airport (SIA), has hailed their third staging of the annual MBJ Team Sangster Charity Run/Walk, held on September 11, at Sangster International Airport, as a resounding success.

The event raised an impressive $11 million for academic grants, a significant increase from the $4.5m raised in 2022.

This achievement underscores MBJ’s commitment to supporting the education of the most vulnerable students in their community, MBJ Airports Limited said.

Shane Munroe, CEO of MBJ Airports Limited, expressed immense joy at the substantial funds raised during the charity run/walk, as he emphasised the event’s significance.

“We are very pleased to witness the incredible success of the charity run/walk, which not only brought our community together but also raised an impressive amount for academic grants. This event showcases our commitment to supporting education and making a meaningful impact on the lives of students in the community in which we exist,” he commented.

Munroe further added that the funds generated from the charity run/walk extend beyond mere monetary contributions, pointing ou that “they symbolise a shared dedication to advancing education and enriching the local community.”

“With this substantial sum raised from this event, MBJ Airports Limited is well-positioned to effect substantial changes in the lives of budding scholars. This financial support opens doors for them, enabling them to chase their academic pursuits and, in turn, foster a brighter future for the entire community,” he added.

Audley Deidrick, CEO and president of Airports Authority of Jamaica, also expressed his appreciation for the remarkable outpouring of support for the event and the funds raised through the charity run/walk while reflecting on the impact the contributions will make in the lives of deserving individuals within the community.

“Participating in this year’s charity run was an incredible experience. Knowing that our efforts directly contribute to academic grants makes it even more rewarding,” Deidrick said.

Manager of Commercial Development & Marketing at MBJ Airports Limited, Sharon Hislop-Holt emphasised the event’s role in supporting education and the overwhelming support it received.

“I am elated with the overwhelming support we’ve received this year. This event has gained recognition for being an excellent event that the airport community and corporate Jamaica look forward to. All the funds raised will be awarded to students for education, a cause we know is greatly needed,” Hislop-Holt stated.

The success of this event is attributed to the generous contributions of sponsors, donors, and over 2,000 participants. All proceeds from the event will go directly towards enabling students to access much-needed academic grants at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. The grants will be geared towards airport employees, their children and dependents, individuals from the surrounding communities, as well as community-based organisations targeting the growth and development of persons with special needs.

In 2022, over 50 students benefited directly from the proceeds of the event and with more than double the funds raised this year, MBJ Airports Limited intends to make an even more significant impact on the lives of more students.

To apply for these grants, students are encouraged to submit their applications by the extended deadline of October 20, 2023.

Source: Jamaica Observer – https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latest-news/mbj-airports-ltd-5k-10k-charity-run-walk-raises-11-m-for-academic-grants/

Digicel Foundation signs three MOUs to empower education institutions

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.

Source: The Jamaica Gleaner; https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20231027/digicel-foundation-signs-three-mous-empower-education-institutions

Terri-Karelle Reid, Digicel Foundation join in Braille machine drive

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.

Source: Jamaica Loop News https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/terri-karelle-reid-digicel-foundation-join-braille-machine-drive

Five UWI students get engineering scholarships from Marubeni

Mohamed Majeed (second right), managing director of Caribbean operations for Marubeni Power International, shares words of encouragement with UWI electrical engineering students and Marubeni scholarship recipients Daniel McGregor (left) and Rochelle Stephen during the scholarship presentation ceremony at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus on September 27, 2023. Also present is Damian Obiglio, senior vice-president, Marubeni Power International.

FIVE students pursuing engineering degrees at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus received a funding boost in their journey courtesy of scholarships totalling US$20,000 provided by Marubeni Power International in collaboration with The UWI Development and Endowment Fund (UWIDEF).

The students, Brianna Smith, Daniel McGregor, Martin McDonald, Dwight Simpson, and top performer Rochelle Stephen, were presented with their scholarship cheques during a brief ceremony at the Principal’s Council Room on September 27.

Addressing the gathering, Managing director of Caribbean operations for Marubeni Power International Mohamed Majeed praised the exceptional quality displayed by the five recipients, highlighting the proven benefits of higher education in enabling individuals to increase their earning power.

Marubeni, he said, was pleased to enable the students to take their rightful place as problem-solvers of the future. “We commend your accomplishments thus far and anticipate the impact you will undoubtedly have as you progress both academically and in your future careers,” he said.

His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica, in his address, said all Japan stood in support of the development efforts of the Jamaican Government and people for continued progress. In praising Marubeni for its generosity in funding the scholarships, the ambassador noted several previous occasions in which the company had given generously to support education, most notably in donating tablet computers to enable virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ambassador Atsumi said he looked forward to many more acts of support for Jamaica’s development both on the part of Marubeni as well as the Government of Japan.

Representing the Ministry of Education, National Mathematics Co-ordinator Dr Tamika Benjamin spoke to the growing importance of engineering and other STEM subjects in the modern development model. In congratulating the recipients, she likewise encouraged them to become problem-solvers on the national level and expressed the hope that their performance would in turn encourage greater participation in STEM education.

Reynold Scott, board director of UWIDEF, also urged the students to continue to do their very best, adding that programmes such the scholarship presentation are at the heart of the fund’s function.

Responding on behalf of the quintet, Rochelle Stephen reiterated the “life-changing” nature of the scholarship, adding that she was unable to fully express the importance of being able to continue on their respective educational journeys. She pledged to heed the call for continued excellence and bring honour to the institution, to their families and the nation.

UWIDEF Project Officer Francine Warren-Kidd, who presided over the ceremony, thanked Marubeni and all the partners involved in bringing the scholarship presentation to fruition. The ceremony, she said, marked not the end of the collaboration, but a new beginning.

Marubeni, in seeking to contribute to the development of Jamaica, has been supporting worthy initiatives in a number of areas, education being primary among them.

Source: The Jamaica Observer https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/five-uwi-students-get-engineering-scholarships-from-marubeni/

On your marks! MBJ Airports/Team Sangster ready to run again for education

Image: Montego Bay Airport

Come out in your thousands!

Following on the tremendous success of its 2022 staging, MBJ Airports Limited (MBJ)/Team Sangster is inviting the community and corporate Jamaica to join them for their 2023 Run/Walk on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 6:00 a.m. (Warm up at 5:30 a.m.) 

The event will once again underline the commitment of MBJ, operators of Sangster International Airport, to supporting the education of our most vulnerable students. 

Last year, the team raised over J$4.5 million, thanks to the generous contributions of sponsors, donors, and over 1,400 participants. All proceeds from the event went directly towards enabling students at the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary levels to access much-needed academic grants. The recipients included airport employees, their children and dependents, individuals from the surrounding communities, as well as four (4) community-based organizations targeting the growth and development of persons with special needs. Over 50 students benefited directly from the proceeds of the event in 2022 and the goal this year is to impact the lives of more students.

Prizes to be won by participating in the event include airline tickets from JetBlue, Spirit and Virgin Airlines, as well as weekend stays at Couples, Hyatt, Hilton, Zoetry, and S Hotel and day passes at Royalton. Additional prizes include Chukka Adventure Tour excursions; tablets from Digicel; gift baskets from Tortuga, Reggae Mart, and CPJ; and gifts from the Airports Authority of Jamaica and MBJ Airports Limited. Participants will be refreshed after the race with breakfast, courtesy of Express Catering Limited, Goddard Catering Group, VIP Attractions Limited, and CPJ Beverage Station and will also be able to enjoy an after race massage.

The fee is J$2,000 for adults and J$1,500 for children. Participants will have the option to register for a 5/10K Run or 5K Walk, which will run from the Commercial Pick-up Area at the Sangster International Airport to Flanker/Whitehouse. Registration closes on Wednesday, September 6. For further information, go to http://www.runningeventsja.com/

Grant Applications are now open for submission. https://www.mbjairport.com/mbj-charity-run/walk-grant-guidelines-application-

MBJ/Team Sangster wishes to thank all its generous sponsors and donors and looks forward to an even bigger Run/Walk on September 10.

Parking will be available at the Cargo Terminal on the airport but participants are encouraged to carpool and a shuttle will be provided to transport participants to the event area. Come out and participate for your health, and fun and to contribute to a worthy cause.  

Source: Our Today https://our.today/on-your-marks-mbj-airports-team-sangster-ready-to-run-again-for-education/#:~:text=MBJ%20Airports%2FTeam%20Sangster%20ready%20to%20run%20again%20for%20education&text=Come%20out%20in%20your%20thousands,2023%2C%20at%206%3A00%20a.m.