GROWING SUPPORT FOR FOOD FOR THE POOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY SCHOOL FURNITURE PROGRAMME

Kingston, Jamaica – November 27, 2013

DONATION TO FFP 30^TH ANNIVERSARY SCHOOL FURNITURE PROGRAMME:  Chairman of Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, Andrew Mahfood (left), expresses delight in accepting a J$2 million donation from Chairman of the Continental Baking Company Limited, Gary Hendrickson during a presentation ceremony recently.   This contribution will go towards the purchase of a 40-foot container load of 1100 student desks and chairs that will assist FFP with its 30^th Anniversary School Furniture Programme. The FFP School Furniture initiative will be of utmost importance in improving the teaching / learning and aesthetic environment of schools. It was inspired by the Ministry of Education’s stated need for thousands of desks and chairs to satisfy the dire furniture requirements of public educational institutions islandwide.

 Support from corporate Jamaica and civil society is growing for the Food For The Poor (FFP) 30^th Anniversary School Furniture Programme, which was launched recently. So far, five companies and one Foundation have made donations.

The donations made to date, in addition to the contribution from FFP Head Office, will allow FFP to purchase 6,050 student chairs and desks. FFP will be handing over in the January 2014 school term, the first 2,200 desks and chairs, which are fully funded by the charity. 

PLEA FOR MORE BUSINESSES TO ASSIST FFP SCHOOL FURNITURE DRIVE 

While expressing delight at the positive responses from the six organizations, Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, FFP Jamaica appealed for much more businesses and ordinary citizens to follow suit. “To provide the required desks and chairs for our school children, we need as much help as we can get from businesses, private sector foundations, civil society and all Jamaicans,” urged Mr. Mahfood. “This is our 30^th birthday present that we are asking everyone for, so that we can take that present and give it to the children of our country”, he added. The FFPJ Chairman has also called on Jamaicans living in the Diaspora, to assist the Programme in achieving its target of raising a total of US $300,000 (i.e. the equivalent of J $31.5 million).

The charity has set as its target the provision of no fewer than 15,000 school desks and chairs to educational institutions islandwide between October 2013 and the end of the 2013-2014 academic year.

SIX MAJOR DONORS COME ON BOARD

Mr. Mahfood has high praises for all six donor organizations: Continental Baking Company, Lasco Affiliated Companies, Wisynco Group, Tank Weld, Spanish Development Foundation, and Proven Wealth which have come on board: “We thank you for your substantial contribution in assisting us in helping to create an aesthetically pleasing and child-friendly environment in our schools. Our children are badly in need of these necessary tools, so you are helping to create a positive difference in their lives.”

The first company to make a significant donation to the Programme was Continental Baking Company Ltd. (National), which has contributed to the purchase of one 40-foot-container-load of 1,100 student desks and chairs. Making the presentation, Gary ‘Butch’ Hendrickson, Chairman of the company, said, “This donation is made on behalf of the staff here at Continental Baking Company towards your charity’s efforts in education.”

Lasco Affiliated Companies' donation also financed the purchase of a 40-foot-container-load of 1,100 student desks and chairs. The donations from Spanish-Jamaica Foundation, Tank Weld and Wisynco will purchase one and half container.

All the donor groups have commended FFP for its efforts in assisting the children of Jamaica and have expressed the wish that their contributions will aid the charity in meeting its school furniture provision-target.

FFP TO IMPROVE LEARNING & AESTHETIC ENVIRONMENT IN SCHOOLS

FFP’s 30^th Anniversary School Furniture Programme is intended to satisfy the dire furniture requirements of schools, which are facing an acute shortage of these much-needed supplies. Mr. Mahfood noted that his charity is determined that Jamaica’s children should be allowed to reach their highest potential in a comfortable and nurturing learning environment.

FFP believes its 30^th Anniversary School Furniture initiative will be of great importance in improving the teaching / learning and aesthetic environment of schools. It was inspired by the Ministry of Education’s stated need for thousands of desks and chairs to satisfy the dire furniture requirements of public educational institutions islandwide.

This 30^th Anniversary School Furniture initiative is the latest in a series of school furniture distributions by FFP over the years.  Between January and August this year, 36 schools received school furniture from FFP.

HOW TO MAKE DONATIONS

Donors to the 30^th Anniversary School Furniture Programme may make their contributions online at: foodforthepoor.org/schoolfurniture. Persons may also send their commitments to jacquelinej@foodforthepoorja.org and deposit their donations to NCB St. Jago Shopping Centre Branch, Account number 47-1043885. Those wishing to make US dollar donations should lodge to the NCB St. Jago Shopping Centre Branch, Account Number 47-4335267.

Food For The Poor (FFP)-Jamaica is the largest charity organization in the country.  Food For The Poor Inc., located in Florida, USA, was named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the United States. 

It is an interdenominational Christian agency that does much more than feed the millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. FFP provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 95% of all donations going directly to programmes that help the poor. For more information visit our Web site at www.foodforthepoorja.com

Contact:               

Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740 or 564-5277

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T:  984-5005 or 564-288

PEPFAR/CCRP TO HOST WORKSHOPS ON HIV AWARENESS FOR OLDER PERSONS

Kingston, Jamaica: November 27, 2013

 CCRP Jamaica will be staging a series of workshops geared towards enhancing the knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS among older persons. The workshops are being financed by grant funding under the US PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) programme.

The workshops dubbed, “PEPFAR/CCRP HIV/AIDS Awareness in Mature Adults” are slated for next month and January next year. The first will be held on Wednesday, December 11 at the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Hall in St Andrew from 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. Another is scheduled for Saturday, January 18 and the final workshop will be held on Thursday, January 30.

Persons are being invited to attend any ONE of the workshops as all three will have the same basic content. They have been scheduled for varying dates and times to accommodate as many persons as possible who wish to attend.

Prof. Denise Eldemire-Shearer, Chair of CCRP explained the purpose behind the workshops. “We are aware that our seniors play a very influential role in family, church and community life. Information gained from the workshop can empower attendees to become strong advocates for behaviour change, as it relates to HIV/AIDS infection, treatment and prevention.”

 “They will also enable attendees to become valuable resource persons within their own communities, in combating the disease and reversing the trend of increased HIV infection in Jamaica, “she added.

CCRP was launched in April 2010, with the mission of “working to ensure that the vast talent, experience and wisdom of seniors will be respected, and that they enjoy the quality of life which they so richly deserve.”  The organisation was founded by Jean Lowrie-Chin, Managing Director of PROComm Limited as a tribute to Jamaica's seniors. The firm houses CCRP’s operations and is its major sponsor.

The group is chaired by Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer. Other Board members are:  Sir Kenneth Hall (Honorary Director), Sir Howard Cooke (Honorary Director), Jean Lowrie-Chin, Michael Fraser, Syringa Marshall-Burnett, Hermine Metcalfe, Donna Parchment Brown, J.A. Lester Spaulding, Sharon Deheney Walker and Professor Paul Simmonds.    

Early Stimulation Plus thanks the Digicel Foundation

We wish to express sincere gratitude to the Digicel Foundation for forging such

remarkable partnership with Early Stimulation Plus.

The financial support by Digicel Foundation to erect a new building at our school

has repositioned Stim Plus and has made it possible for us to respond to the needs

of a number of students with special needs. Additionally, the revolutionary and

creative workshop organized by Digicel Foundation has bolstered our teacher’s

academic standard.

Digicel’s forthrightness and vision to partner with Early Stimulation is very timely.

as it responds to the growing challenges facing our students. Recognizing the

impact of your contribution and the selfless participation of the Foundation both

our staff and family members feel a sense of gratification. As director of the School

I am filled with excitement. Whenever I gaze at the new site I too am overwhelmed

with emotion.

Indeed, we are excited about the prospects that this partnership provides. Our

children for the most part are from very poor households and they do not compete

on a level playing field. Nevertheless, it is truly heartwarming that with the

assistance from the Foundation, every child will be taught in an environment that

is not inferior to other educational institutions in Jamaica and that is conducive to

their development.

To show our support and appreciation, a team of thirty-three persons, including

teachers, staff and community members will be coming out on October 26th

participate in the 5K event.

The funds that we will receive from this year’s 5K event will be allocated to

procuring specialized wheelchairs for persons with Cerebral Palsy. These wheel

chairs will be more comfortable for our students and enable them to have a wider

range of movement.

Once again, on behalf of the staff, students and parents of Early Stimulation Plus,

we express our gratitude to Digicel Foundation. We truly appreciate the work you

continue to do with persons and children with special needs as you seek to help

build Jamaica.

Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Launches New Campaign – “Celebrate Your Wray”

 KINGSTON, Jamaica: On Friday, November 8, 2013

  Hundreds converged on J. Wray & Nephew Limited’s offices on Spanish Town Road for the launch of Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum’s new campaign – “Celebrate Your Wray.”

 The reveal of the new campaign, which features Jamaicans celebrating life, brought cheers of approval from the crowd, which included staff, customers, partners and the media, and saw everyone raising a toast to Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum and to Celebrations.

Noted Cecil Smith, Group Brand Manager – Rums at J. Wray and Nephew Limited, “Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum has always been an integral part of Jamaican culture and lifestyle, and with this campaign we want Jamaicans to celebrate their “Wray” with us.  We also wanted to showcase the character, quality and rich traditions that are a hallmark of the brand and, as always, we want to stress that we must enjoy our products responsibly and by extension we must always celebrate responsibly,” 

He added, “The accolades we have received from across the world reaffirm the fact that Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum – the world’s leading white rum – is the standard by which other overproof rums are judged, and we felt that the launch of this campaign was also a perfect time to celebrate this.”

Damian Crawford, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, who was a special guest at the event, highlighted that Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum is an inseparable part of Jamaica’s try’s lifestyle.

“We are strengthening the sense of pride and passion, the core values on which J Wray and Nephew and Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum are built on,” Smith said.

The launch event also featured a stellar entertainment line-up including Assassin and Aidonia.

With the festive season round the corner and the Yuletide spirit permeating in the air, can Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum be left out? No! is the emphatic answer.

It is much more than the rum of choice in Jamaica. From soaking the fruit to make the Christmas cake and pudding to a little dash in the curry goat to give it that extra flavor, Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum, is an essential part of the Jamaican household.

Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum Campaign - "Celebrating Wray" held at Head Office on Spanish Town Road last Friday evening - Nov. 8

Wray & Nephew Spirits - Min. Damion Crawford, State Minister for Tourism & Entertainment enjoys the vibes with Aidonia & Erica Williams, Appleton Brand Manager  at  the Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum Campaign

Min. Damion Crawford, State Minister for Tourism & Entertainment enjoys the vibes with Cecil Smith, Group Brand Manager at the Wray & Nephew  Overproof Rum Campaign.

Cecil Smith, Group Brand Manager  & Mark Kenny, MJK Production enjoy the Wray & Nephew spirits at the Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum Campaign.

Patrice McHugh Wilson of Bars to Go & Donovan White of FLOW enjoy the Wray & Nephew spirits at the Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum Campaign.

MORE CYBER SECURITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS NEEDED IN THE CARIBBEAN

November 19, 2013

  The Caribbean must take definitive steps towards the creation and deployment of Cyber security Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) or run the risk of being isolated from an international tendency that is already developing at a rapid pace.
That’s the view of Shannon Curran, Cyber security Expert with the US-based Fortinet Inc, a global leader in high performance network security.

Speaking in St. Thomas on the importance of a Caribbean Cyber security Task Force while on her way to a series of strategic meetings in Jamaica, Curran commented that Cyber security is the new realm in which governments are forced to play a strategic part.  “Those who delay this decision may be faced with social unrest as more and more people are affected by cyber crime.”

“The Cyber security Emergency Response Team (CERT) will not only help protect local citizens, but will also play a major role in how the international community views and interacts with the country in question.”

“Those countries that have not yet taken the definitive steps for their own CERT or Cyber security Task Force should be seriously contemplating the initiative.”

Curran said the “good news is that tools exist to help governments build out the necessary Cyber security frameworks.”  Documentation and systems, she added, are available that will help governments understand how to properly use current technologies, processes and global collaboration to better protect themselves and their citizens.

Curran said that currently, there are over 200 CERTs in the world, with the vast majority being government-sponsored on a per country basis.  However, few have specific presence in the Caribbean.

“Among other things, an entity of these characteristics can help co-ordinate international efforts to eliminate specific problems such as child pornography or human trafficking, both of which have an external online presence. 

 Many citizens are victims of online fraud, from phishing attacks to data theft to love/sentimental misrepresentations (in which the victim is asked to send money or goods to a fictitious, attractive person that in reality doesn't exist)…all of these are internet-based crimes that require a specialized team to identify, mitigate and pursue on a penal level in order to protect the citizens of the country.”

SUPREME VENTURES EXTENDS EVENING SALES TIME FOR LOTTERY GAMING

 

 

Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) announced today its plans to extend the evening sales time for lottery gaming as of December 1, 2013.

Brian George, President & CEO of SVL, said, “We will add an additional hour of lottery game selling time for our players, so pools for the evening draws will now close at 8:20pm as of December 1. All other game draws remain the same at: 10:30am, 1pm and 5pm.”

This means that Cash Pot, Pick 2, Pick 3, Pick 4, Dollaz, Lucky5 and Lotto will have their evening draws at a new time of 8:25pm from December 1.

George added, “The Super Lotto draw time will also be changed as of December 1. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the Super Lotto draw will be broadcast at 8:30pm.”

SVL also announced changes to the Dollaz game draws. Dollaz, which currently only has two draws per day, will be increased to four draws daily at 10:30 am, 1 pm, 5 pm and 8:25 pm, in tandem with the changes stated above.

SUPREME VENTURES EXTENDS EVENING SALES TIME…

The Supreme Ventures CEO also intimated that, “Some exciting changes are coming with respect to the game draws and we encourage everyone to stay tuned for more announcements in the coming weeks.”

SVL started lottery operations in Jamaica on 25^th June 2001 and currently has a network of over 1,200 terminals. The agent network is primed and ready to offer the extended hours to players, for the games people love to play and more!

DIGICEL WINS THE CORPORATE CITIZENS OF THE AMERICAS AWARD FOR ITS EDUCATION WORK IN Port au Prince, Haiti

Thursday, 21^st November, 2013

L to R - Digicel Haiti Foundation’s Sophia Stransky, CEO, and Rachel Pierre Champagne, Head of Projects  enjoy the awards ceremony

Digicel was named a winner at the 2012/13 Corporate Citizens of the Americas (CCA) Award last night at a glittering gala in Washington DC. The CCA Awards are an initiative from The Trust for the Americas with support from the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and AES Corporation.
 

Digicel was named the winner in the “Vulnerable Communities” category for its Digicel Foundation education programme in Haiti which sees it on track to build 150 schools by 2014 and deliver training to over 600 teachers who each receive more than 450 hours of training, mentorship and professional development.

Other winners on the night were IBM Latin America for its “Corporate Service Corps” programme in the Economic Opportunities category and CEMEX for its “Comprehensive Assisted Auto Construction” programme in the Citizen Security category.

The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit organisation affiliated with the Organisation of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its initiatives, implemented through local partner organisations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities for vulnerable communities in the hemisphere. To this end, The Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance.

 

Commenting on the Digicel Foundation’s work in Haiti, Digicel chairman and founder, Denis O’Brien, said; “We are deeply committed to helping the people of Haiti to build a brighter future for themselves. Our education programme in Haiti sees between 80,000 and 90,000 children being given the opportunity to receive a much-needed education and teachers receiving proper training and support. We would like to thank the Trust of the Americas and its partner organisations for this kind recognition of our efforts.”

DIGICEL ADDS CANADA TO ROAM LIKE YOU’RE HOME PLAN

Kingston, Jamaica - Wednesday, November 20, 2013

 Ahead of the Christmas season, Digicel has announced the extension of its revolutionary ‘Roam Like You’re Home’ mobile offer to include Canada.  This means that Digicel customers can call, email, browse the internet and send text messages while roaming in Canada at the same standard local rates they would pay in Jamaica. The ‘Roam Like You’re Home’ plan removes roaming charges for those using their Digicel service while in Canada. Prepaid and postpaid customers will simply need to opt-in to the roaming plan at minimal fees of as low as JMD$1000 for a 7 day plan.

Commenting on the development that took effect on November 14, Barry O’Brien, Digicel CEO, said, “We know that many of our customers roam in Canada, as many as 60,000 each year and so extending the roaming offer to them is really a response to the growing demand in that section of the market. Now Digicel customers who roam in Canada can benefit from the Roam like You’re Home deals they already enjoy in the United States.”

O’Brien said the new service will help Jamaicans stay connected more affordably when they visit friends and family in Canada. “What we are offering with Roam Like You’re Home is quite simply the best roaming plan in the world as it gives customers the freedom to use their phones abroad as they do at home without having to worry about the cost. He continues; “We are thrilled to be extending this offer to Digicel customers who travel to Canada.”

In addition, since earlier this year, customers roaming in other Digicel markets across the Caribbean and Central America (except Guyana) do not have to pay an opt-in fee. Roam like You’re Home, will be automatic when they connect to a Digicel network. The countries included are Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, French Guyana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, Panama, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the Turks & Caicos Islands.

FORTINENT RESEARCH INDICATES GENERATION Y’S INVOLVEMENT IN POLICIES GOVERNING NEW TECHNOLOGIES

November 8, 2013

 Fortinet, a US-based global leader in high performance network security, has published global research revealing the growing appetite of Generation Y employees to contravene corporate policies governing use of own devices, personal cloud storage accounts and new technologies such as smart watches, Google Glass and connected cars.

Based on findings from an independent 20-country survey of 3,200 employees aged 21-32, conducted during October 2013, the research showed a 42% increase in the willingness to break usage rules compared to a similar Fortinet survey conducted last year.  The new research also describes the extent to which Generation Y have been victims of cybercrime on their own device s, and their widespread practice for storing corporate assets on personal cloud accounts.

Four Latin American countries were included in the study this year, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.  Responses from the Latin American participants showed similar behavior compared to the global sample; however there were certain areas in which Latin American data stands out from the rest.

Despite respondents’ positivity about their employers’ pro visions for  Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD) policy, with 45% agreeing this empowers them, in total, 51% of the global sample stated they would contravene any policy in place banning the use of personal devices at work for work purposes.  This alarming propensity to ignore measures designed to protect employer and employee alike, carries through into other areas of personal IT usage.  Thirty six (36) per cent of respondents using their own personal cloud storage (e.g. DropBox) accounts for work purposes said they would break any rules brought in to stop them.

On the subject of emerging technologies such as Google Glass and smart watches almost half (48%) would contravene any policy brought in to curb use of these at work.

NAIL-BITING FINISH IN DIGICEL ACADEMY 3-ON-3 TOURNAMENT

Friday 15^th November 2013 – Bridgetown, Barbados

Haitian players celebrate after winning the 3-on-3 tournament

Haiti’s best footballers emerge victorious in a 3-on-3 tournament
 
 The players participating in this year’s Digicel Academy competed against each other in a 3 on 3 tournament which saw the players from Haiti emerging the winners over Barbados after a nail-biting final match which ended in a penalty shoot-out.

The final match between Haiti and Barbados ended in a nil-all draw and so the winner was decided by a penalty shoot-out which saw the Haitian boys walking away victorious. There was still a spirit of camaraderie as the players embraced and congratulated each other on a game well-played.

Yesterday’s tournament was a warm-up for the main Round-Robin tournament which sees the players being split up into three teams; Team Lampard, Team Hazard and Team Oscar as well as the Barbados National U-17 team. The teams were names after Chelsea first team players, Belgian national and midfielder, Eden Hazard, English national and central midfielder, Frank Lampard and Brazilian national and winger, Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Júnior. The top two teams from this knockout tournament will play in the finals on Saturday for the prize of best team of the Academy.

The players representing Haiti at the Academy are: 14 year-old Ortegat Vileus, 15 year-olds, Kenley Dede and Dérissé Wilson and 14 year-old, Denso Ulysse. One of the boys, 15 year-old Dérissé Wilson, described how he felt about winning the tournament, he said; “I am really happy that we won. All three of us stayed focused so that we would be the winning team and take the trophy back to Haiti. I am very proud that we are taking it home.”

A Player from Panama congratulates one of the players from the winning Haitian team

The Digicel Kick Start Clinics programme is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the thousands of aspiring young footballers. These players are not only taught skills and technical ability but also an ethos of professionalism and a good attitude – critical attributes of successful people in all walks of life. Now in their sixth year, the Clinics saw thousands of aspiring young footballers from across 11 countries in the Caribbean and Central America try out for their chance to travel to the Digicel Academy.

During the Clinics, the best players from each country trained under the coaches in the hope of being one of the top four chosen by them to go to the Digicel Academy in Barbados to represent their country.

During the week-long Digicel Academy, the top 39 boys from across the region get the chance of a lifetime to receive intensive training under coaches from Barclays Premier League side, Chelsea Football Club.

Players enjoying the 3-on-3 final celebrations

For more information please visit www.digicelfootball.com

ABOUT DIGICEL GROUP

Digicel Group Limited is a leading global communications provider with operations in 31 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After 12 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$4.5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

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

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams and individuals including the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt and Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel also sponsors the West Indies cricket team. 

Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Vanuatu. Digicel also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barts in the Caribbean.

Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.

Digicel To Host World Bank App Workshop This Weekend

Friday, November 15, 2013: Kingston Jamaica

DIGICEL TO HOST WORLD BANK-SUPPORTED APP WORKSHOP THIS WEEKEND

Telecommunications provider, Digicel, will host a World Bank-supported workshop for aspiring app developers with the goal of helping them turn their ideas into profitable ventures.  The workshop will be held at Digicel’s Kingston headquarters on November 16 and 17. The event is initiated by infoDev, a global innovation program in the World Bank Group, and part of its Entrepreneurship Program for Innovation in the Caribbean (EPIC).

With the proliferation of mobile phone subscriptions in Jamaica and the world, the development of applications or ‘apps’ as they are commonly known, is an economic activity with huge potential. “The workshop is designed to support app start-ups and will cover topics including Going Global, Investor Pitching and Marketing. In addition, participants will be able to share ideas with Caribbean app developers whose work has produced tools that can be applied to education, development and commerce,” explained senior communications manager at Digicel Shelly-Ann Harris.

“Apps are a tool of innovation in the mobile world, making once complex tasks easier for everybody”, she added. “This workshop is going to facilitate and inspire new ideas and that’s central to our ethos here at Digicel.”

Presenters at the workshop will include Giorgio Valentini, the World Bank’s Country Representative for Jamaica & Guyana. Participants will also be mentored during the workshop by experts including Ed Sherwood-Smith, Digicel Group Software Development Manager.

ABOUT DIGICEL GROUP

After eleven years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has over 13 million customers across its 31 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific. 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 Digicel Caribbean Cup. 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 Jamaica, Haiti and Papua New Guinea which focus on educational, cultural and social development programs.

Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Vanuatu. Digicel also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barts in the Caribbean.

Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.

www.infodev.org/EPIC

WATCH OUT FOR CASH POT’S ‘BIG BANG’!

Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday November 13, 2013

  
You will not know when the ‘Big Bang’ is coming.  This is not a ‘disastrous explosion’; it is a burst of good fortune for lottery players, for days on which they get a chance to pocket higher winnings!

Supreme Ventures Limited has announced its ‘Big Bang’ promotion for Cash Pot.  The lottery will randomly draw the ‘Big Bang’ of which players will have the chance to win increased payouts of $280, $300 or $320 for every $10 bet, once the number purchased is drawn by the lottery. 

Players will be surprised by the ‘Big Bang’ sound just before the live Cash Pot draw.  Patrons have to play the base game for a chance to win the increased payout, and they are encouraged to play every draw to increase their chances of winning, since they will be unable to predict which draw the higher payout will be applied.

           

“This is just another way in which we sweeten the pot for the players, by affording them more opportunities to win more,” says Sonia Davidson senior Vice President of corporate Communications of Supreme Ventures.  “It also helps to make the game more exciting, as players won’t know the ‘Big Bang Days’ in advance – it will be a surprise.”

GTECH returns to SOS Children's Village, Barrett Town, Mobay through the GTECH After School Advantage Programme

8169 COMPUTERS FOR SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE: Debbie Green (5^th left), GTECH Jamaica’s General Manager hands over a plaque to Paulette Lindo, Programme Director of SOS Children’s Village, Barrett Town, Montego Bay. They are seen at a symbolic handing over ceremony recently at the SOS Children’s Village in Stony Hill. The computer lab at the Barrett Town, Montego Bay, location is the sixth centre opened in Jamaica through GTECH’s After School Advantage Programme. The Stony Hill Branch received its computers in January of this year.  Collectively, both Homes have received 16 internet-ready computers. Sharing in the moment (from left) are: Joyce Clarke, Administrative Assistant at SOS Children’s Village, Barrett Town, Montego Bay; Suzette Palmer, Chair of GTECH Jamaica’s After School Advantage Programme; Patricia Tulloch, Youth Leader at the Barrett Town location; Luis Porcayo, Regional Technology Manager, Susan Dyl, Regional Technology Support, both of GTECH; Nadine Williams, Acting National Director, and Marjory Kennedy, Chair, both of SOS Children’s Village Jamaica.

8588 NEW COMPUTERS FOR SOS IN MOBAY:  Paulette Lindo (right), Programme Director at SOS Children’s Village in Barrett Town, Montego Bay guides these children with their homework assignments. Assisting her (from left) Ruthann Gordon, Family Facilitator at the Home and Errol McHayle, GTECH’s Accountant Development Representative. The GTECH After School Advantage Programme recently set up a computer lab equipped with 10 Internet-ready computers, chairs and a printer. This is the sixth centre opened in Jamaica through GTECH’s After School Advantage Programme.

Bent, James tops in Digicel Foundation 5K Walk/Run

 http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Bent--James-tops-in-Digicel-Foundation-5K-Walk-Run_15342982

BY HURBUN WILLIAMS Observer writer

Monday, October 28, 2013

Danielle James of Mavis Bank crossing the finish line to win the women's section of the Digicel Foundation 5K Walk/Run downtown Kingston on Saturday night.

An estimated crowd of 15,000, half of which were participants, turned out at the annual Digicel Foundation 5K Walk/Run for special needs entities on Ocean Boulevard, downtown Kingston on Saturday, and witnessed Damion Bent of Clarendon and Danielle James of Mavis Bank, upper St Andrew, winning the male and female sections, respectively.

Samantha Chantelle, executive director of the Digicel Foundation, described the occasion as "amazing".

Damion Bent celebrates shortly after crossing the finish line to win the men's section of the Digicel Foundation 5K Walk/Run downtown Kingston on Saturday night.

"So many people attending with over 7,000 participating with my daughter just crossing the line, it gives me goose bumps to witness the growing response the event is receiving.

"Digicel is growing in stature and with this was the response... it goes to show how much we care and how much we want to support Jamaica as a country.

"The event was much bigger than last year," Chantelle pointed out, but added: "I do not know how much bigger we want it to get. There is a sea of people in attendance for this, we want it to just get better and better each year. The thing is that we want people to come on down and have a good time, as we want to make a quality product and I am sure that we would be here years to come."

The occasion extended into the night where there was a late-night concert for the thousands who attended and wanted to further their entertainment for the evening with Miss Kitty on stage.

In the main event 5K, Bent, representing sponsors Digicel, completed the circuit in a time of 15:58 minutes, while James, representing Mavis Bank, came home in a time of 20:32 minutes.

Following home Bent back to the line was Kirk Brown, also representing Digicel in a time of 16:12 minutes, while Shawn Pitter of Digicel finished third in a time of 16:40 minutes.

In winning the women's section, James was followed home by Arieta Martin (unattached) in a time of 21:12 minutes, and Latrice McGann, Mavis Bank, in a time of 22:26 minutes for third place.

Damion Bent celebrates shortly after crossing the finish line to win the men's section of the Digicel Foundation 5K Walk/Run down town Kingston on Saturday night.

Brown, James top record Digicel 5k

 http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20131028/sports/sports2.html 

   Published: Monday | October 28, 2013

Digicel CEO Barry Obrien (left) makes a presentation to overall female run winner, Danielle James, after Saturday night's Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk, held at the Waterfront, downtown Kingston. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

AFTER its historic staging last year, Saturday's second staging of the Digicel 5K night run/walk in downtown Kingston saw a record 7,200 participants taking part; an improvement on the 5,400 that entered a year ago.

New champions were crowned in the 5K run as Damion Bent and Danielle James were the top male and female finishers.

IAAF World Championships 100m and 200m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was on starter duty as Bent, who was third last year, took control from early on to sprint away to an easy win in 15 minutes 11 seconds, relegating last year's winner, Kirk Brown, to second in 15:25. Last year's runner-up, Shawn Pitter, was third in 15:53.

The vastly improved James, out of Mavis Bank Track Club, went one place better by being the first female to finish in 19:52. Areitha Martin took second in 20:25, as 15 years-old, Latrice McGhan, also out of Mavis Bank High, was third.

The event, which was held to help raise funds for individuals with special needs, saw some 11 organizations benefiting.

Meet director, Alfred 'Franno' Francis was excited with the overall running of the event.

Significant achievement

"This is a significant achievement, as it has been a big improvement from last year, and this is going to get even bigger as the turnout augers well for the future," said Francis. "I am also pleased with the entire atmosphere, as despite concerns leading into the event about the crime situation in downtown, there was not a single moment when this was evident, as everybody worked in unison and the entire atmosphere was fantastic," he said.

Digicel CEO Barry O Brien, who also participated in the walk, was indeed a happy man.
"The event was a great success, as getting 7,200 entries is monumental, and I am pleased that we were able to achieve our objectives, as we care about the people with special needs, and I can't wait for next year, because our objective is to see at least 20,000 participants," he said.

Also sharing in the moment was Samantha Chantrelle, executive director of the Digicel Foundation.
"The support was fantastic, as Jamaicans from all over came out in their large numbers to support a good cause, and this augurs well for the future,"Chantrelle said.

Digicel Foundation thanks partners, participants for their support

 http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Digicel-Foundation-thanks-partners--participants-for-their-support_15371434

Sunday, November 03, 2013  

WITH thousands of people turning up to Shine their Light for Special Needs, the Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk was a resounding success with over 7,200 individuals registered for the race.

This represented a 30 per cent increase from last year's figure. The event took place in downtown Kingston on Saturday, October 26.

"It was a truly heart-warming moment to see just how many people came out for the 5K," noted Judine Hunter, Programme Manager for Special Needs at the Digicel Foundation. "The support was outstanding from corporate Jamaica, our partners, the media, and the participants. Our sponsors not only contributed to the event, but most of them signed up teams. Even our beneficiaries brought teams, NAZ Children's Centre in Mobay, chartered a bus and brought a team of over 50 persons and Genesis Academy in Kingston had a team of 60. I want to thank each and everyone who came out on Saturday. It was your participation that made this event a success," she continued.

WHEELING THROUGH THE 5K: Persons participating in the wheelchair category came out in their numbers to support Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk on Saturday, October 26 in downtown Kingston.

Some of the corporate entities supporting the event included: GraceKennedy, Bank of Jamaica, CGM Gallagher Insurance Brokers, Prime Asset Management, GTECH Jamaica, WHICON Limited, Sagicor, Institute of Jamaica, the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation, and the Urban Development Corporation. Just under 250 clubs registered for the 5K Walk/Run this year. Some of the sponsors included the Jamaica Observer, CVM, TVJ, IRIE/ZIP, KLAS, Catherine's Peak, J Wray and Nephew, Sports Max, Hot 102, Marksman, KSAC and Island Grill.

Among the celebrities that supported the event were: Olympians Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Nesta Carter, Paralympian, Alphanso Cunningham, and dancehall artiste, Tifa.

Damion Bent and Danielle James came in first for the men's and women's run categories, respectively. Andre Smith was the first male walker to cross the finish line and Nyasha Heaven was the first female walker to cross the finish line. Jenard Williamson and Collene Morrison, both of the Jamaica Paralympics Association, came in 

First in their respective wheelchair categories.

The 2013 Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk marked the second staging of the event, which was geared towards raising funds to support 11 special needs schools and organisations. These are: NAZ Children's Centre, Genesis Academy, the STEP Centre, Mustard Seed Communities, Liberty Academy, the Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities, Early Stimulation Plus, Jamaica Autism Support Association, Jamaica Association for the Blind, Jamaica Association for the Deaf, and the Jamaica Downs Syndrome Foundation (JDSF).

"The Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk would not have been a huge success without the exceptional support of all involved," remarked Samantha Chantrelle, executive director of the Digicel Foundation. "It is your support that will help to build, improve and empower 11 special needs schools and organisations. We hope that with your continued backing, the Foundation will be able to extend our scope of work in the special needs sector and keep that light shining."

Special Needs support outstanding

http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20131102/sports/sports8.html

Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk and Concert, held on Ocean Boulevard, downtown on last Saturday night

With thousands of persons turning up to "shine their light" for special needs, the Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk was a resounding success with over 7,200 persons registered for the race. This represents a 30 per cent increase from last year's figure.

"It was a truly heart-warming moment to see just how many people came out for the 5K," noted Judine Hunter, programme manager for special needs at the Digicel Foundation.

"The support was outstanding from corporate Jamaica, our partners, the media and the participants. Our sponsors not only contributed to the event, but most of them signed up teams. Even our beneficiaries brought teams, NAZ Children's Centre in MoBay chartered a bus and brought a team of over 50 persons and Genesis Academy in Kingston had a team of 60. I want to thank each and everyone who came out on Saturday. It was your participation that made this event a success," she continued.

Corporate entities
 
Some of the corporate entities supporting the event included Grace Kennedy, Bank of Jamaica, CGM Gallagher Insurance Brokers, Prime Asset Management, GTECH Jamaica, WHICON Limited, Sagicor, Institute of Jamaica, the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation and the Urban Development Corporation. Just under 250 clubs registered for the 5K Walk/Run this year.

Among the celebrities that supported the event were Olympian Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, Olympian Nesta Carter, Paralympian Alphanso Cunningham and dancehall artiste, Tifa.

Damion Bent and Danielle James came in first for the male and female run categories, respectively. Andre Smith was the first male walker to cross the finish line and Nyasha Heaven was the first female walker to cross the finish line. Jenard Williamson and Collene Morrison, both of the Jamaica Paralympics Association, came in first in their respective wheelchair categories.

RACING TO THE FINISH: These participants of the Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk seen walking to the finish line last Saturday.

Digicel 5K a resounding success Published: Thursday | November 7, 2013

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20131107/business/business3.html 

The crowd celebrates after the second annual Digicel 5K Run/Walk from which proceeds will go towards children with special needs.

Thousands turned out to 'Shine their Light for Special Needs', the Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk, which was a resounding success with more than 7,200 persons participating in the race.

This number was a 30 per cent increase over last year's figure. Damion Bent and Danielle James came in first for the male and female run categories, respectively. André Smith was the first male walker to cross the finish line, and Nyasha Heaven was the first female walker to cross the finish line. Jenard Williamson and Collene Morrison, both of the Jamaica Paralympics Association, came in first in their respective wheelchair categories.

Downtown shines bright - Incident-free Digicel 5K Night Run/Walk Published: Tuesday | November 5, 2013

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20131105/news/news5.html

Scores of persons getting ready to hit the road.

IF THERE were any lingering doubts about being downtown Kingston after dark, these should have been put to rest with the second staging of the Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk .

More than 7,200 persons registered for the race, a 30 per cent increase over last year, and thousands lined the streets to cheer on participants.
"It was a truly heart-warming moment to see just how many people came out for the 5K," declared Judine Hunter, programme manager for special needs at the Digicel Foundation.
"The support was outstanding from corporate Jamaica, our partners, the media and the participants. Our sponsors not only contributed to the event, but most of them signed up teams.
"Even our beneficiaries brought teams, NAZ Children's Centre, in MoBay, chartered a bus and brought a team of over 50 persons, and Genesis Academy in Kingston had a team of 60. I want to thank each and everyone who came out on Saturday (October 26). It was your participation that made this event a success," Hunter added.
Residents of downtown Kingston shared Hunter's enthusiasm.
"This was good, man," said Norma who made the short trip from her house on West Street to see the start of the race.
"Me walk beside them go right up to parade, but is only thru me did have the two babies mek me never walk all the way," she added.
There were no reported incidents during the event. Clive, who lives on Mark Lane, was not surprised.

Nobody never trouble nobody

"Everything did criss. People just walk and nobody never trouble nobody. Not even a pickpocket or a chain grab," said Clive as he declared that the people of downtown Kingston are always happy and supportive when entities such as Digicel stage events in the market district.
That support was well appreciated by Samantha Chantrelle, executive director, Digicel Foundation
"The 5K Night Run/Walk would not have been a huge success without the exceptional support of all involved," remarked Chantrelle.
"It is your support that will help to build, improve and empower 11 special-needs schools and organisations. We hope that, with your continued backing, the Foundation will be able to extend our scope of work in the special-needs sector and keep that light shining."