Hope Gardens Bandstand Restoration Complete

Digicel Foundation to Host Public Opening and Concert this Sunday


KINGSTON, JAMAICA – Thursday May 3, 2007:
The charitable arm of Digicel, the Digicel Foundation will host a public opening and concert to mark the completion of restoration work done to the Hope Bandstand at Hope Gardens in Kingston, on Sunday, May 6.

The Bandstand is one of the areas to be re-established as a result of Digicel Foundation’s $10.3 Million commitment to the ongoing Hope Gardens restoration project, in association with Nature Preservation Foundation and Jamaica Broilers. Also being restored by the Digicel Foundation is the Fountain Garden, which is scheduled to be completed later this year.

Commenting on Sunday’s event, Major General Robert Neish, Executive Director, Digicel Foundation noted, “We are extremely excited to have the public join us in celebration of the re-establishment of the Hope Bandstand. It is a great accomplishment for us, as it signifies bringing back the great entertainment that once existed at Hope Gardens and giving a boost to national pride.”

The public is encouraged to attend the opening ceremony and concert, which begins at 5 p.m. and will see performances by the Jamaica Military Band, Desi Jones and Friends featuring Dwight Richards, Jessica Yapp and the Stella Maris Steel Band.

The Digicel Foundation is a non-profit organization that distributes and utilizes funds on a charitable basis for the sole purpose of building communities and the community spirit in Jamaica and the region.

Digicel established the Digicel Foundation in 2004. Among other projects implemented by the Foundation are:

• Painting of the historic Holy Trinity Cathedral on North Street in Kingston, to the tune of $750,000
• J$250, 000 refurbishing of the St. Monica’s Home for the Elderly
• Constructing a physiotherapy unit and computer training centre for the Mustard Seed Communities’ Widow’s Mite Home in Murray Mount, St. Ann.
• Establishing an information technology lab at the Jose Marti High School.
• J$5 million refurbishing and equipping of the Meteorological Services.
• $200 million donation to the National Hurricane Relief Effort after the onslaught of Hurricane Ivan.
• Setting up of a Chair in Telecommunications Policy and Management at the UWI
• J$9 million dollar upgrading of the sports and irrigation facilities at St. Elizabeth Technical High School