Allman Town Primary To Dine In Style Thanks To Digicel Foundation

Contact
Eleen Rankine (Digicel) – 470-7245 – eleen.rankine@digicelgroup.com
Rochelle Roye (PROComm for Digicel) – 926-6740 – rroye@procomm.com.jm

Kingston, Jamaica – Wednesday, March 26, 2008: – The students of Allman Town Primary School can now enjoy a new tuck shop and refurbished dining facilities, thanks to the Digicel Foundation. The $1 million project was officially handed over today by the Digicel Foundation, which has partnered with the Pacific Northwest District of Circle K International to transform the school’s makeshift lunch area and tuck shop into a proper canteen and lunchroom for the children.

Twenty-three volunteers from Circle K International forfeited their spring break and, along with Digicel Foundation staff, teachers, students, community members, and local Circle K members, worked throughout the Easter holiday weekend to complete the project. The volunteers constructed the new tuck shop, refurbished the existing dining hall and built an additional dining area.

The students, who had resorted to eating lunch at their classroom desks, on ledges or in the school courtyard are appreciative of their new facilities. Principal of the school, Beryl Jacobs, expressed her gratitude for the support saying, “the project had been in the pipeline for some time and I thought it may never be realized, so I am very grateful to Digicel Foundation and the Circle K International volunteers. We are very blessed and privileged to have had their assistance.”

As part of an ongoing effort to change the dining culture at the school, the project will also include the hosting of etiquette classes for students, parents and community members. Executive Director of the Digicel Foundation, Major General Robert Neish, conveyed his delight at being able to make a difference in the lives of the students, and reiterated the Foundation’s dedication to fostering healthy habits among the children.

The Digicel Foundation proactively helps to empower communities and promote self-reliance through its support for skills training, education, sports and other social programmes. Through these activities, the Foundation aims to build community spirit across Jamaica.

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

· J $1 million and an 8-seater van to the Jamaica Society for the Blind, to aid transportation and purchase visual aids.

· J$9 million construction of Flower Hill Basic School in St. James.

· J$2 million Reading Resource Centre and Mini Library for Savanna-La-Mar Prep and High School in Westmoreland

· J$2.3 million Reading Resource Room for Knockalva Technical High School, located in Hanover.