The Digicel Foundation Receives Humanitarian of the Year Award from Florida International University


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The Digicel Foundation Receives Humanitarian of the Year Award from Florida International University

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The Digicel Foundation Receives Humanitarian of the Year Award from Florida International University

On Sunday June 24th The Digicel Foundation was presented with the Humanitarian of the Year Award by the Florida International University. This presentation was done at the Graduation Ceremony of the International Executive Master of Business Administration programme held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel. The Digicel Foundation Vice Chairman, Stacey Mitchell-Fraser, received this award on behalf of the Foundation.

“A number of private sector entities have been doing tremendous work in the area of outreach programmes, and the FIU IEMBA class of 2007 has carefully analysed all the players and selected The Digicel Foundation for the Humanitarian Award, “ announced Rhena Williams.

The Digicel Foundation is a non-profit organisation that distributes and utilizes funds on a charitable basis, for the sole purpose of building communities and ultimately the community spirit in Jamaica. It is in its third year of driving sustainable development and setting new standards in social investment. The Board of the Foundation is almost entirely comprised of Digicel staff members who are dedicated to ensuring that the projects are sustainable.

In an previous statement, the Foundation’s Patron, Mr. Denis O’Brien declared that, “any business that makes profit within a market should give back to the community through the building and regeneration of these communities.”

A few of The Digicel Foundation’s significant achievements in providing assistance and solutions in the socio-economic challenges ofHIV/AIDS, unemployment, skills training and recreational activity shortages, crime and drug abuse include:

  • Donations to 200 educational institutions and 16 libraries across the island for reparations following Hurricane Ivan in 2004;
  • Donation to the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture to assist in the recovery of missing fish traps and fishing gear;
  • Donation to the Meteorological Service for refurbishing and re-quipping, as well as repairing infrastuctural damage;
  • Rebuilding of the Lakes Pen Basic School in St. Catherine;
  • Provision during Christmas 2004 of all equipment for a community playfield in Arnett Gardens to assist in the recreational activites of the area and its environs;
  • Provision in 2005 to the Farm Heights / Rose Heights community of St. James of a basketball court and the Peace Management Initiative Chapter to give mentoring, skills training and sport programmes to the youth in the area;
  • A Christmas 2004 donation of kitchen fixtures, fittings and other household items to the ‘Dare to Care’ Mustard Seed Home for children;
  • Renovations to St. Monica’s Home for the Aged, St. Catherine, comprising roof, ceiling and bathroom repair, painting of the property and the donation of a washing machine; and
  • The 2007 establishment of the UWI Mona Lions Centre for Students with Special Needs.

“The people of Jamaica are forever grateful and better off for this partnership between communities, government and non-government organisations, and The Digicel Foundation,” said Rhena Williams. “It is only through such community-driven partnership that the country will enjoy a brighter future.”

The Digicel Foundation Receives Humanitarian of the Year Award from Florida International University