Five NGOs, One Mission: Investing in Tech to Transform Communities in T&T

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – 17 April 2026 – The Digicel Foundation, in collaboration with Shell Trinidad and Tobago, today celebrated the successful completion of five Technology and Digitalisation projects under the EPIC (Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities) programme 2025-2026. The event, held at the Chest and Heart Association of Trinidad and Tobago (CHATT) on Wrightson Road, also marked the official unveiling of the CHATT Youth Virtual Reality Health Lab, a first-of-its-kind immersive technology space dedicated to youth health education in Trinidad and Tobago.

The five EPIC projects represent a TT$500,000 investment as part of a broader TT$1 million allocation for the 2025-2026 EPIC cohort. The joint event on 17th April celebrated the successful completion of the following projects:

•         The Sapphire Miriam Foundation – Media Lab and Holistic Homework Centre, Point Fortin

•         The Bovell Cancer Diabetes Foundation – Online Diabetes Cancer Application

•         The Barataria Anglican Primary School – Technology Lab

•         ChildLine – Upgraded CRM System to improve service delivery to youth

•         Chest and Heart Association of T&T (CHATT) – CHATT Youth Virtual Reality Health Lab

“Each of these NGOs chose to harness the power of technology to solve real problems in their communities. Our team has been working closely with them to navigate any obstacles, and we are so proud and excited to highlight their successes today,” shared Desha Clifford, Chair of the Digicel Foundation.

Ryssa Brathwaite, Social Performance and Social Investment Advisor at Shell T&T emphasised that, “When digital innovation is aligned with real social needs, it becomes a driver of national progress. At Shell Trinidad and Tobago, we’re proud to partner with the Digicel Foundation to ensure technology reaches people when it matters most – protecting children, empowering families, and building stronger communities for the future.”

In 2025, the Digicel Foundation and Shell T&T entered into a landmark three-year partnership to jointly fund the EPIC programme, representing a combined investment of TT$3.8 million.

Now in its tenth year, EPIC is a grant programme that has supported 170 community projects across thematic areas, including Technology/Digitalisation, Environmental Sustainability, and Sport for Development.