Tag: News

IGT hosts 4th Coding and Robotics Rock! camp

Students from Mustard Seed Communities Mary’s Child (in white) learn about the fundamentals of robots in a coding session with Darren Fletcher, Technical Project Coordinator at Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI) while Luke Buchanan (left), MGI Executive Director, Debbie Green (centre), IGT General Manager and Kevin Johnson (right), MGI Software Developer watch attentively. This year’s staging of the Coding and Robotics Rock! Camp is hosted by IGT in collaboration with MGI. The virtual camp ran from July 15 – 26 with 72 participants from five Caribbean countries: Jamaica, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Maarten. This is the fourth edition of the annual camp. (Photo: Contributed)

International Game Technology (IGT), a global leader in gaming technology and innovation, is pleased to announce the successful completion of its fourth annual IGT Coding and Robotics Rock! Camp for Caribbean youth, held July 15-26.

IGT partnered with the Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI) to host the virtual camp, under the theme “Climate Action.”

The camp serves as an extension of IGT’s global After School Advantage programme.

Debbie Green, general manager of IGT Jamaica, delivered remarks at the start of the camp, underscoring IGT’s commitment to digital learning and community empowerment.

“As part of IGT’s Sustainable Play programme, our After School Advantage initiative is devoted to providing youth with access to technology and promoting digital learning opportunities in the communities where IGToperates. This camp is a shining example of our commitment to these goals,” said Green.

Since its inception in 2021, this regional tech learning camp has seen remarkable growth. What began as a pilot programme for 36 participants across five countries has flourished into a signature IGT ASA project, significantly impacting our communities.

In 2022, the camp expanded to include a Level II component, increasing the cohort to 72 students at both the Introductory (Level I) and Intermediate (Level II) levels. Hundreds of Caribbean youth have gained valuable knowledge in coding and robotics through this camp. 

This year, students participated from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, and St.Maarten.

Jamaican participants hailed from Mustard Seed Communities – Matthew 25:40, Mary’s Child, and Jerusalem; Spring Village Development Foundation; and the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation in Mandeville and Savanna-la-mar. Barbados participants were from The Learning Centre and the Rupert I. Maynard Youth Community Centre;  St. Maarten –  St. Maarten Youth Council; Trinidad and Tobago – Sophia House, Cotton Tree Foundation, Amica House and Credo Boys; and St Kitts and Nevis – Maude Crosse Preparatory School. 

This young man shared his progress from the day’s coding and robotics activity with Hilary Nembhard of SOS Children’s Village Jamaica’s Stony Hill location during the 2023 Coding and Robotics Rock! Camp. (Photo: Contributed)

The Level I course introduced students to the fascinating world of computer science, providing a foundational understanding of coding and computing, exploring careers in the industry, and developing essential skills such as website development and robotics.

Specifically, the Level I course aimed to:

  • Build awareness of coding and its applications.
  • Inform about potential careers for developers.
  • Develop basic computing and development literacy.
  • Teach the basics of computer programming.
  • Introduce website development.
  • Explore robotics.
  • Enhance problem-solving skills

For returning students in Level II, this year’s programme built upon the knowledge gained last summer, with afocus on more complex web development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and an introduction to artificial intelligence.

The Level II course aimed to:

  • Provide a refresher on last year’s content.
  • Improve website development skills with advanced techniques.
  • Introduce the principles of artificial intelligence.
  • Further develop problem-solving skills.

An exciting new feature of this year’s camp was the provision for the intermediate robotics class to develop hands-on robot creation.

Green encouraged students to embrace this learning adventure with enthusiasm and curiosity.

“The skills you acquire here will not only open doors to exciting career opportunities but also equip you to become innovators and problem-solvers in our ever-evolving digital world,” she said.

Green also extended heartfelt thanks to partners at MGI and the UWI team for their unwavering support and collaboration in making this camp a success.

“Your dedication to nurturing young minds and fostering technological skills is truly commendable,” she added.

Source: Our Today

Commissioner Blake’s Response

All well-thinking Jamaicans welcomed the creation of Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom), which ensures that the security forces remain professional and ethical. In every organisation you will find the few who ‘let down the side’, and it is important that they be brought to justice.

I must, therefore, quote at length Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake’s response as shared by Jamaica Observer Editor-at-Large Arthur Hall in a report headlined ‘No Apology — Police commissioner slams JFJ; says criminals to be blamed for 50 fatal shootings in 50 days by security forces’.

Commissioner Blake is reported to have said that “….while he supports the view that the number of fatal shootings by the security forces is too high, the focus should be on the criminals who make the decision to challenge members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force [JCF], ‘which is a far more superior force’.”

Hall reported: “He charged that a call for the JCF to be held more accountable is a slap in the face of Indecom, which has a single most important mandate of investigating actions against civilians by members of the security forces.”

Here are excerpts from the commissioner’s response, as quoted by Hall:

“And so, let me encourage Jamaicans for Justice to be more responsible in their public pronouncements, especially when the nation is aware of its members’ proven ability to comprehend the most basic and fundamental principles of security.

“To suggest that fatal shootings numbers can be reduced by anything other than the unwillingness of persons being apprehended to engage in deadly confrontations with members of the security forces is irresponsible, or at best advocating for us to relent in our pursuit,” added Blake.

“He declared that criminals who are intent on killing and maiming will not be left free to hold communities at ransom and in constant fear,” wrote Hall.

The thankless and dangerous job of the JCF

Jean Lowrie-Chin

Dr Kevin Blake, Police Commissioner

That Savanna-la-Mar earthquake in the late 1950s was a frightening one for me as a small child. I was in the house behind the shop run by our widowed mother. As I felt the place shaking, I ran out into the dark street. A light flashed on red-seamed trousers. Because the police always cast a protective eye on our shop, I knew I would be safe if I grabbed on to that red-seamed trousers leg. The police officer picked me up, took a look, and recognised me as “Mrs Singh’s little girl”. He walked swiftly to the shop and handed me to my mother.

Many years later, on assignment at Caymanas Park in the 80s, I would have long conversations with officers Williams and Whitney. They would always arrive impeccably dressed and were thoroughly professional. Some mornings they would share that they had been in operations the night before, dodging bullets.

In the 90s I collaborated with Lasco to create the Police Officer of the Year Award and met some of the most inspiring officers. Some of the organisers were Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Neville Wheatle, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) LK Simpson, and a young constable who is now Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Natalie Palmer-Mair. Interestingly, the first Police Officer of the Year was retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Steve McGregor, who is now a politician.

After the 2002 General Election, which had been monitored by representatives of the Carter Centre, they reported that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), led by then Commissioner Francis Forbes, had been exemplary in its work, as were the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) personnel. They declared that there would be no reason for them to monitor any further elections in Jamaica.

In other projects, I have seen the courage of SSP Ionie Ramsey Nelson, the brilliance of retired DCP Novelette Grant, SSP Stephanie Lindsay, and the compassion of Sergeant Jerr Johnson-Heron who has assisted with distributing care packages for the elderly on behalf of our seniors advocacy organisation. Indeed, the police youth club is the largest youth club in Jamaica and the Law Enforcement Torch Run has earned millions of dollars over several decades for Jamaica’s Special Olympians.

It is, therefore, deeply concerning that our outstanding JCF appears to be under unrelenting attack by the organisation Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ). I am confounded that the current head of the JFJ seems to be unaware of the dangers our police face in their crime-fighting efforts.

Source: Jamaica Observer

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

Farewell, Dr Velma Pollard

Velma Pollard

We can never forget Dr Velma Pollard’s spirited dance to the live mento band at a CCRP outing to Milk River Hotel & Mineral Spa. Her joie-de-vivre, reflected in her warm smile, would charm her fellow members at various outings. The celebrated writer, who passed away at 87 on February 1, never rested on her laurels and was a mentor to many.

“Rest peacefully, Velma Pollard,” wrote the Observer’s Bookends coordinator Sharon Leach. “I will always remember your kindness, your interest in my writing, and your encouragement… and more than anything else, your relentless support of the Sunday Observer’s Bookends.”

In lauding Dr Pollard’s achievements, Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange remarked on her affirmation of Jamaican patois and her publications From Jamaican Creole to Standard English: A Handbook for Teachers and Dread Talk: The Language of Rastafari.

“Along with her sister, Dr Erna Brodber, also a critically acclaimed author, Pollard organised an annualEmancipation watchnight vigil in Woodside, where members of the community and the wider Jamaica could come and reflect on the significance of Emancipation,” noted Minister Grange.

Blogger Emma Lewis wrote a memorable tribute, ending with: “… her delightful, sometimes sharp humour, her warmth and her encouraging and sympathetic manner endeared her to many. She will be missed by Jamaicans of all ages, especially younger writers. Her passing leaves a gap in Jamaica’s cultural narrative, which she so effortlessly and warmly expressed.”

My deepest sympathy to Dr Pollard’s beloved family and friends. May her great soul rest in peace.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Sound Advice for JA Immigrants

Jean Lowrie-Chin

Audrey Marks

The concern was palpable at Ambassador Audrey Marks’ first online ‘Let’s Connect’ meeting for the New Year. Ambassador Marks spoke on the Jamaicans who have been affected by the new US Immigration policy. Her keynote guest speaker was Finance Minister Fayval Williams whose presentation had notes of hope for those Jamaicans seeking to be repatriated.

Ambassador Marks noted that of the thousands being repatriated in the Caribbean, only .5% is Jamaican. Of the 56 who arrived in Jamaica last week, only seven had criminal records while the others had immigration offences.  Those with immigration issues, she emphasised, should not be regarded as criminals and every Jamaican will be welcomed home. She noted many Jamaicans have been calling for instructions on how to get home without being subject to deportation and they have been receiving assistance from the Embassy and Consulates.

Attorneys at Law Sekou Clarke and Xavier Francis spoke on immigration concerns. Clarke has expanded his legal services in Florida and was named by Forbes magazine as one of the ‘Top 40 Entrepreneurs to Watch’ in 2025. Xavier Francis has been running a leading immigration firm for eight years.

Clarke said there was collateral damage when undocumented immigrants are separated from their blended families. He noted that in one ICE operation, they went to a location to take an illegal immigrant with a criminal record and ‘scraped up’ others. He advised that getting married to an American citizen is not the only way to become a legal immigrant. He said the T Visa could be applied for by persons suffering from discrimination while the U Visa can be used for victims of crime who would have to furnish a police statement.

There is also the EB-5 Visa available for investors or those who have an existing business. Francis also noted that holders of the F1 Student Visa could self-sponsor themselves for Green Cards if they have awards for outstanding performance or are members of professional organizations.

Francis gave three tips to cope with the new zero tolerance position:

–          Don’t overstay your visa

–          Legal immigrants should carry a copy of their documentation on their phones as every immigrant is at risk of being taken into custody

–          Reconsider the alternative pathways that exist.

Ambassador Marks said that Jamaicans who wish to return to their country should communicate with the Embassy and via Diaspora organizations. The Jamaican Embassy website has been recently loaded with specific information on immigration matters.

Members of the Jamaican Diaspora continue to preserve our culture and want to give back to their homeland. Florida Consul Oliver Mair announced that the fourth annual celebration of Marcus Garvey would be held on February 18. Young Tiffany Haynes expressed her wish to do more for Jamaica and asked for a more intentional programme to strengthen ties.

The Price of Mental Slavery

Jean Lowrie-Chin

“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds.”

As we celebrate Marcus Garvey’s words made famous by Bob Marley, we ponder how, as we celebrate President Biden’s pardon of Jamaica’s first National Hero, we still have communities living under the whip of mental slavery, in the form of gangsters.

“They carry my son to the barber,” declared a community member who protested Police action against gangs in Spanish Town last week. Roads were blocked after an alleged gang leader was killed in a shootout with the Police. Our courageous JCF officers, supported by JDF soldiers were able to bring calm to Spanish Town in 24 hours. Their biggest enemy however is the mental slavery imposed on our poor and illiterate by these gangs, initially supported by politicians on both sides, now beyond their control and dictating to the most vulnerable among us.

One school principal said a student explained that he has to pretend to be tough when he returns from school to his gang-controlled community, or he would be a laughingstock. For decades, admirers of Garvey have been petitioning the Government to include Garvey’s teachings in the school curriculum: his messages of discipline, dignity, self-reliance, self-esteem. While we sympathise with PM Dr Andrew Holness as he pleads for peace, we ask again that we immerse our children in Garvey’s philosophy so these values can be foundational in their formation.

Ken Jones curated Marcus Garvey’s quotes, presenting them under various headings in his book, “Marcus Garvey Said ….”  That book should be required reading for every Jamaican high school student. Garvey was a voracious reader. We have fine librarians in every parish of Jamaica, ready to guide our children in skilled reading. My love of literature started at the Savanna-la-mar Library where our shopkeeper mother would send my sister and me regularly. Librarian Miss Ottey would make reading exciting. When my mother remarried and we were leaving for Kingston, Miss Ottey invited her two little fans (seven- and nine-year-old) to dinner, so close we had become.

Our libraries are free and welcoming. Could our MPs please encourage their inner-city constituents to send their children to the library and sponsor reading competitions for them. This is a national emergency and as Education Minister Dr Dana Morris-Dixon explains, it is a challenge for every single Jamaican. However, we elect our leaders to lead. The invective coming out of tribalists on social media calls for better monitoring. What kind of example are we setting for our young people when they see actual vulgar words being  used in these posts? Garvey used no curse words yet became the leader of millions in the Jamaican and African Diaspora.

Let’s play ball

Pembroke Hall Primary football field transformed

Lee Henderson (left) and Anna Horndahl (centre), co-founders of the Kingstad Serendipity Fund, are seen with Miguel “Steppa” Williams, director of strategic planning and community development at Digicel Foundation, at the recent handover of a state-of-the-art football field at Pembroke Hall Primary School.

Pembroke Hall Primary in St Andrew has unveiled its upgraded football field, a US$100,000-project that has transformed the school’s outdoor space into a safe and functional environment for students.

The initiative was made possible through a collaboration between the Kingstad Serendipity Fund and Digicel Foundation — which contributed a US$20,000 grant as part of its 20-for-20-for-20 Community Development programme.

The project involved the procurement and installation of 19,065 square feet of high-grade synthetic turf and related materials, providing a state-of-the-art facility for sports and physical education.

The field was dedicated to the memory of Estreana Rebecca Morrison, the grandmother of Lee Henderson, the Jamaican-raised US businessman and co-founder of the Kingstad Serendipity Fund.This project is deeply personal to me — it’s a way to give back to the school and community that were instrumental in shaping the person I’ve become,” said Henderson.“As a child, I played on this very field, which was made of dirt and uneven patches. It posed safety risks and became unusable during rainy periods,” added Henderson. The Kingstad Serendipity Fund plans to establish the Kingstad Football Club, giving young athletes a platform to develop their talents while learning life skills such as teamwork and discipline.“Every dollar generated by the football club and field will be reinvested into the school. These funds will support the team, provide upgrades in technology, and enhance the school’s infrastructure, ensuring Pembroke Hall remains a beacon of excellence for generations to come,” declared Henderson.

In the meantime, Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation, emphasised her organisation’s commitment to empowering communities through strategic partnerships.

“The Digicel Foundation is thrilled to support Pembroke Hall Primary in creating this modern football field. Sports play a vital role in youth development, teaching critical values like discipline, teamwork, and resilience.

“By partnering with the Kingstad Serendipity Fund, we’re ensuring students have a safe space to grow and to dream big,” said Daniels.

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