APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE GRACEKENNEDY JAMAICAN BIRTHRIGHT PROGRAMME

Homage to Reggae King Bob Marley – Participants in the 2015GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Internship Programme pay a visit to the Bob Marley Museum. Seen here (from left) are Janae Bell, Jamila Turner Dell’Acqua, Ukpong Etang and Kira Starks.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, September 9 -  After reviving its popular Jamaican Birthright programme in 2015, GraceKennedy has announced that applications for the 2016 period are now open. The aim of the programme is to expose second and third generation Jamaican university students to a diversified Jamaican experience through music, social activities and professional tutelage through internships at GraceKennedy.       

“The programme this year was a huge success. Our 2015 Birthright interns had an unforgettable and rewarding experience,” said Executive Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation, Caroline Mahfood, who has oversight for the project. She continued, “With the help of our partners Sandals, Digicel and the Jamaica Tourist Board, the interns not only experienced the professional aspect of Jamaica but also the rich cultural heritage, from cuisine to music, sports and more. They really got the chance to get up close and personal with Jamaica.”

Diaspora Partnership in Action   GraceKennedy Limited led the successful relaunch of its Jamaican Birthright Internship Programme in partnership with Sandals Foundation, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and Digicel Jamaica.     Pictured at the relaunch of the Programme on July 6, 2015 at GraceKennedy’s head office in Kingston (from left) are Heidi Clarke, Director of Programmes, Sandals Foundation; Don Wehby, GraceKennedy Group CEO; Birthright Interns Janae Bell and Ukpong Etang; Sandra Scott,  Deputy Director of Tourism, JTB; Birthright Interns Kira Starks and Jamila Turner Dell’Acqua; and Neil Lawrence (right) Diaspora Manager, Digicel Jamaica. 

2015 Birthright Interns, Janae Bell, a freshman at Harvard University, Kira Starks, a  graduate of the University of Baltimore, Jamila Turner Dell’Acqua, a  graduate of the University of East London, and Ukpong Etang, a junior at Concordia University in Montreal, received an all-expenses paid, five week trip to Jamaica to participate in the programme. They all expressed appreciation for having had the opportunity. According to Janae, “I really developed a love and appreciation for Jamaica on this trip. I was able to experience the life and culture as a resident rather than a tourist. The GK Birthright Programme is one I recommend all students of Jamaican heritage take part in.”

The GraceKennedy Foundation is ensuring that students have that chance. Applications are open to second and third generation Jamaicans (of Jamaican parentage or grand parentage) between the ages 18 – 25 years, who have not lived in Jamaica for more than six months, and who are seeking an opportunity to learn and explore their Jamaican heritage. They must be pursuing either an undergraduate or graduate degree and must have a Grade ‘B’ average or higher.   Applications will be accepted online from September 7 to November 30, 2015, after which four persons – two from the United States, one from the United Kingdom and one from Canada - will be chosen to participate in the Birthright Programme for 2016.   GraceKennedy Limited will host the four university students from July 2 to August 6, 2016, giving them hands-on experience in their chosen career fields.   

Application forms are available online at www.gracekennedy.com. For further information, email gkfoundation@gkco.com or call 1876 9

DIGICEL COMMITS OVER US$500,000 IN SUPPORT OF DOMINICA’S RELIEF EFFORTS ( - As the first operator to be functioning across the entire island, it has provided free call credit to all mobile customers & Digicel Play TV service is also being provided free of charge to all customers for the month of August )

Friday 4^th September 2015 – Roseau, Dominica

Digicel today announced that it has committed over US$500,000 in support of the relief efforts in Dominica following the devastation that was left behind when Tropical Storm Erika hit the island last week.

Having confirmed the safety of all staff, Digicel’s immediate focus moved towards ensuring its networks were restored and operational as quickly as possible, enabling customers to communicate with friends and family throughout other parts of the island and abroad. With the mobile network now 98% operational, Digicel has given away free call credit to customers across the island.  On the Digicel Play side, the network has been restored in all of the main areas and Digicel is today announcing that as a result of the disruption, customers will not be charged for their TV service for the month of August, also easing the financial burden at this time.

In tandem, Digicel has been supporting the relief efforts on the island in partnership with aid agencies as well as directly with those communities most affected. To date, it has delivered US$150,000 in food supplies, blankets, mattresses, stoves and handsets to staff and residents in the worst affected communities and continues to work closely with the Red Cross – donating supplies as well as a boat to provide access to those who are cut off by road.

The team is also assisting various groups with handsets and credit including the Police Head Quarters, Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority, and the Meteorological Office. In addition, Digicel has launched a text to donate line across all 32 markets – from which all funds will be donated directly to Dominica’s relief efforts.  

Paul Osborne, Digicel Regional CEO, said; “We are deeply upset and concerned by the devastation left behind in the wake of Tropical Storm Erika and are doing everything we can to support the much-needed relief efforts. In the coming days, my team will be at Roseau Grammar School and Grandbay where they will be serving food and hosting the evacuated families in these locations.”

“We hope that others will also step up to support the people of Dominica by providing aid to assist with the recovery and rebuilding efforts that are now needed on the island,” concluded Osborne.

ENDS

About Digicel Group

Digicel Group is a leading global communications provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After more than 14 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.