DIGICEL FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH MUSTARD SEED COMMUNITIES

Kingston, Jamaica – Wednesday, March 26, 2014

A joyful ribbon-cutting! Sandy Wallace, Resident at Jacob’s Ladder is embraced by a Mustard Seed Community volunteer as she cuts the ribbon for the official opening of the Care Plus Centre of Excellence on Wednesday, March 26. Joining her is Judine Hunter (left), Programme Manager, Special Needs, Digicel Foundation and Thyra Heaven, Board Member, Mustard Seed Communities. Care Plus Centre of Excellence, equipped with rehabilitative and therapeutic facilities, was erected as part of the Foundation’s 10th Anniversary goals, to build 10 Centres of Excellence for Special Needs schools across the island this year.

The Digicel Foundation has partnered with Mustard Seed Communities (MSC) to enhance the welfare and quality of life of persons with disabilities in Jamaica. On Wednesday, March 26^th, the Foundation officially opened a multi-functional centre – Care Plus Centre of Excellence- at the Jacob’s Ladder community in Moneague, St. Ann. This facility will expand the scope of skills training courses currently being done with the residents of MSC.

“The vision of Digicel Foundation augurs well for the lives of persons living in the Special Needs Communities,” remarked Darcy Tulloch-Williams, Executive Director of Mustard Seed Communities. “This Centre will indeed bring out “Excellence’ in the lives of these individuals who are affected by varying physical and developmental challenges. We are extremely grateful for this partnership as it will allow us to move beyond offering simply room and board, and giving them industry. This will undoubtedly build their self-esteem and enable them to become more educated.”

The Jacob’s Ladder community is currently the only facility of its kind in Jamaica, catering to the needs of 70 adults with Special Needs. The Care Plus facility, valued at 17 million JMD, will enhance the capacity of MSC to care for residents by augmenting the skills training curriculum in the areas of culinary skills, art and craft, information technology and occupational physiotherapy. Additionally, the Centre will provide a facility to host awareness forums and workshops for families in the surrounding areas that require experience and training in dealing with persons who are differently abled.

Samantha Chantrelle, CEO of the Digicel Foundation, further reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to the Special Needs sector in Jamaica. She said, “The work of the Mustard Seed Communities reflects the conviction of the Digicel Foundation that the opportunities for those in our society that are differently abled should not be limited due to lack of resources or adequate training for their caregivers. So we are pleased to partner with them for the building of this facility and will remain committed through our Centres of Excellence programme to provide the highest quality resources that will enable our Special Needs community to thrive.” 

The Care Plus Centre is a part of the Digicel Foundation’s larger “Centres of Excellence Programme”, geared at increasing the capacity of Special Needs schools in Jamaica. As part of its 10^th Anniversary celebrations, the Foundation will be opening 10 Centres of Excellence this year.

About Digicel Foundation

The Digicel Foundation is the largest local private sector foundation in Jamaica. Since its inception in 2004 the Foundation has invested over J$1.2 billion in communities in which Digicel operates islandwide. The Digicel Foundation has been proactive in the areas of Education, Special Needs, and Community Empowerment.

The Digicel Foundation has:

• Invested over J$100 million in their Enrichment Initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Education to improve literacy at the primary school level islandwide.
• Invested over J$38 million in resource rooms, including science and IT labs, in high schools islandwide.
• Committed to building three Special Needs schools, two of which, the STEP Centre, and NAZ Children’s Centre broke ground in 2012.
• Invested over J$60 million in Community Empowerment initiatives over the past four years, including $10 million annually and $15 million in 2012 to support the National Best Communities Competition and Program.
• Invested $13 million in the ‘Back to Roots—Stronger Roots, Stronger Communities, Stronger Nation Project.’ The programme aims to help community organizations become more self-reliant by facilitating their transition to social enterprises, by teaching them how to run sustainable community businesses.

For more information visit our website at www.digiceljamaicafoundation.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/digiceljafoundation

Twitter:  (@digiceljafdn) https://twitter.com/DigicelJaFdn

DIGICEL FOUNDATION MARCHES IN SUPPORT OF AUTISM AWARENESS

Kingston, Jamaica – Friday April 4, 2014

Participants in the annual Autism Awareness street march held in Montego Bay last Friday, April 4

The Montego Bay Autism Centre (MBAC), in partnership with the Digicel Foundation, hosted the annual staging of its Autism Awareness Street March under the theme “Autism…different in extraordinary ways”. The March, which took place in Montego Bay on Friday, April 4, saw over 150 persons marching from Dead End Beach to Dump-up Beach in support of this very worthy initiative.

Adama Blagrove, Director of the Montego Bay Autism Awareness Centre, expressed gratitude to the Digicel Foundation for collaborating on this initiative. “We have tried so hard to have the voices of our children heard, so when we found out that the Digicel Foundation was coming on board, we celebrated because we knew immediately that their involvement would help us to deliver on this very important objective. We are so excited about their vision in deciding to pay it forward and contribute to the future development of these children. This road march doesn’t stop here— it’s a lifelong journey for these children. So we’re geared up and excited about what lies ahead for this partnership!”

The Montego Bay Autism Centre Street March started six years ago (April 2008) with four parents, their children and staff members from the Centre. In celebration of World Autism Month, the group met at Dump-Up Beach, prayed and released balloons. Over the years, as the Centre grew in size, so too did the March. This year’s staging saw participation from representative from the Urban Development Cooperation (UDC), Rotary Club Sunrise Montego Bay, Mega Mart, Doctor’s Cave, Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), Rainforest Seafood, Kiwanis Club and Digicel Foundation.

Digicel Foundation’s CEO, Samantha Chantrelle, said she is delighted that the Foundation is able to be a part of activities geared towards improving autism awareness and greater acceptance of members of the autistic community.

“Supporting autism and raising the awareness of this condition continues to be an area of immense focus for us in the Digicel Foundation and so we are very happy to be able to partner with groups across the island in helping to improve the lives of our autistic population. Seeing these children happy and being given the opportunity to develop to their full potential is a real blessing,” said Chantrelle.

The Foundation has also been actively involved in drumming up awareness about autism among its staff members. In celebration of Autism Awareness day on April 2, the staff at Digicel were engaged in the ‘light it up blue’ for autism campaign, where staff members purchased blue sponge noses, took selfies while wearing them and posted to social media. The proceeds from this activity will be used to buy tablets for autistic children of staff members.

In addition to the Street March, over the past month, the Foundation also supported Surfing for Autism, held on March 29 and will partner again with JASA’s for their annual World Autism Awareness Month Concert, set to take place on Saturday, April 12.

Autism is the world’s fastest growing developmental disorder. It is a lifelong disability with a normal life expectancy. Autistic children show delays or regression in speech, social skills and physical abilities. Approximately 450 autistic children are born in Jamaica each year. Early interventions, such as speech, occupational and behavioural modification and physical therapies, give children a chance at a normal life.

About Digicel Foundation

The Digicel Foundation is the largest local private sector foundation in Jamaica. Since its inception in 2004 the Foundation has invested over J$1.2 billion in communities in which Digicel operates island wide. The Digicel Foundation has been proactive in the areas of Education, Special Needs, and Community Empowerment.

The Digicel Foundation has:

• Invested over J$100 million in their Enrichment Initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Education to improve literacy at the primary school level island wide.
• Invested over J$38 million in resource rooms, including science and IT labs, in high schools island-wide.
• Committed to building three Special Needs schools, two of which, the STEP Centre, and NAZ Children’s Centre broke ground in 2012.
• Invested over J$60 million in Community Empowerment initiatives over the past four years, including $10 million annually and $15 million in 2012 to support the National Best Communities Competition and Program.

For more information visit our website at www.digiceljamaicafoundation.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/digiceljafoundation

Twitter:  (@digiceljafdn) https://twitter.com/DigicelJaFdn

Surfing for Autism: Another Great Success with Digicel Foundation

Kingston, Jamaica – Monday March 31, 2014

Nathan Anderson (right) perfects his skill on the surf board, with advice from a Jamaica Surfing Association instructor. Nathan along with a number of other children with autism and their families were treated to a day of fun on Saturday, March 29 at Cable Hut Beach. The event was hosted by theJamaica Autism Support Association (JASA) in partnership with the Digicel Foundation.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Digicel Foundation lent its support to the Jamaica Autism Support Association (JASA) for a fun-filled day of surfing for children with autism and their families. The event took place at the Cable Hut Beach on Saturday, March 29, 2014.

The fourth annual staging of Surfing for Autism was attended by over 100 children and their family members. Children were given the opportunity to take surfing lessons with professional surfers from the Jamaica Surfing Association. Those who preferred a more relaxing day ‘kicked back’ in the wading pool or jumped in the bounce-a-bout.

JASA Co-Founder, Kathy Chang, said the event is important as it provides the children and their families the opportunity to let loose in a safe and fun environment.

“Our children look forward to this event, which gives them a chance to have some fun in the sun, sea and sand. Our parents also enjoy this event, which allows their children with autism to be themselves without judgment or stress. They also appreciate the fact that this is an inclusive event that their whole family can enjoy and participate in,” said Chang.

Kathy also expressed her appreciation to the organisations that supported the event, saying, "On behalf of the families of JASA, we truly appreciate the support from the Jamaica Surfing Association, the Rotary Club of Trafalgar, New Heights and all the organisations that made the fourth annual Surfing for Autism possible. We especially are grateful to Digicel Foundation for being there for us and for paving the way for other organisations to join in and support us."

Inelek Wilmot of the Jamaica Surfing Association explained that for many of the surfers, this event provided their first point of interaction with children who are autistic. Despite this, he noted that, “When teaching surfing, dealing with an autistic child is not so different to dealing with any other child. They are all kids and the really love it,” said Wilmot.

For her part, Digicel Foundation’s CEO, Samantha Chantrelle, is delighted that the Foundation is able to be a part of the Surfing for Autism initiative every year.

“This initiative is very dear to my heart. Being able to see the children run free along the beach without fear of being judged and the parents being able to sit back and relax- it is truly an amazing day,” said Chantrelle.

The activity-driven event at Cable Hut Beach also provides an opportunity for Digicel staff to get involved. This year, twenty staff members volunteered to help set up for the event, organise registration, refreshments and engage in various exercises with the children.

Digicel Foundation volunteer Donna Henry expressed her enjoyment at being able to participate in the event, “We are proud to be a part of this very special event. Having the opportunity to see love in action is a true blessing.”

In addition to Surfing for Autism, the Digicel Foundation also supports JASA’s annual World Autism Awareness Month Concert, set to take place on April 12.

Autism is the world’s fastest growing developmental disorder. It is a lifelong disability with a normal life expectancy. Autistic children show delays or regression in speech, social skills and physical abilities. Approximately 450 children are born with autism in Jamaica each year. Early interventions, such as speech, occupational and behavioural modification and physical therapies, give children a chance at a normal life.

Being the youngest surfer, did not stop little Kyle Coleman from paddling out to take on the waves on Saturday, March 29 at Cable Hut Beach. The occasion was the annual staging of Surfing for Autism by the Jamaica Autism Support Association (JASA) in partnership with the Digicel Foundation.

About Digicel Foundation

The Digicel Foundation is the largest local private sector foundation in Jamaica. Since its inception in 2004 the Foundation has invested over J$1.2 billion in communities in which Digicel operates islandwide. The Digicel Foundation has been proactive in the areas of Education, Special Needs, and Community Empowerment.

The Digicel Foundation has:

• Invested over J$100 million in their Enrichment Initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Education to improve literacy at the primary school level islandwide.
• Invested over J$38 million in resource rooms, including science and IT labs, in high schools islandwide.
• Committed to building three Special Needs schools, two of which, the STEP Centre, and NAZ Children’s Centre broke ground in 2012.
• Invested over J$60 million in Community Empowerment initiatives over the past four years, including $10 million annually and $15 million in 2012 to support the National Best Communities Competition and Program.
• Invested $13 million in the ‘Back to Roots—Stronger Roots, Stronger Communities, Stronger Nation Project.’ The programme aims to help community organizations become more self-reliant by facilitating their transition to social enterprises, by teaching them how to run sustainable community businesses.

For more information visit our website at www.digiceljamaicafoundation.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/digiceljafoundation

Twitter:  (@digiceljafdn) https://twitter.com/DigicelJaFdn

About JASA:

Jamaica Autism Support Association (JASA) is a support group for families living with autism. It was initially started in 2007 as a parent support group. Today, JASA still provides support for many parents of autistic children, but has broadened its scope to include raising awareness around the disorder, and advocating for persons living with autism as well as those who provide care for them. JASA meets every last Saturday of the month at the Kingston YMCA. The organization hosts annual awareness events such as dental clinics and workshops to educate parents, teachers and caregivers on how to care for an individual with autism. It also hosts a church service during World Autism Awareness Month.

BOLD ONES READY FOR EXPO JAMAICA 2014

Kingston, Jamaica, April 2, 2014

On April 3, 2014, the largest grouping of Jamaican manufacturers meet for business matchmaking sessions at the National Arena, for Expo Jamaica 2014. At that time manufacturers will have the opportunity to market their products to an expected 500 buyers comprising of 308 local buyers along with 199 international buyers from 28 countries, including the US, UK and Canada.

This year, Continental Baking Company, owners of the National brand, will be presenting its third group of Bold Ones of Manufacturing at Expo Jamaica. An innovative group of eight local manufacturers will present their array of products of a world class standard, at the National Baking pavilion. This year’s Bold Ones manufacturers include: D’NexStep Sandals and Accessories, EcoFarms Jamaica, Lifespan, Irie Rock, Bartley’s All in Wood, Journey’s End Wines, Lincoln’s, and Spring Vale Enterprises.

The value of the opportunity, to be a part of Expo Jamaica, is not lost on Lacey Ann Bartley, owner of Bartley’s All in Wood.  “Being at Expo Jamaica can mean everything for Bartley’s. I know that we can get at least a 50% increase in sales through exposure to corporate clients and get opportunities to have our products placed in the gift shops. The support of National Baking as a strong brand and company, also gives endorsement to the power of the Bartley’s brand.” Bartley’s manufactures handmade wooden furniture, jewellery, household items and corporate gifts.

The general public will be treated to the opportunity of visiting the Expo from Friday, April 4 to Sunday, April 6, where they can have direct interaction with the Bold Ones at National Baking’s pavilion and indulge in the unique fusion of products from a cross section of manufacturing industries: jewellery, furniture, fashion, food and beverage.

Howard Coxe, owner of Journey’s End Wine Company, is aware of the niche market that his company occupies, as the manufacturer of wines using local products such as- Ackee, Sorrel and Pimento Berries. Mr. Coxe anticipates a continued increase in the awareness of his products to the local and international market. “Since the start of the Bold Ones campaign I’ve seen an increase of up to 20% in the awareness of our brand, and from Expo, I believe we’ll be able to build on our distribution channels and receive patronage from hoteliers and international buyers.”

The entire public is invited to be a part of this unique experience that celebrates the best of brand Jamaica from April 3-6.

ABOUT NATIONAL BAKERY (Continental Baking Company)

National Bakery is the leading manufacturer of baked goods in Jamaica, offering a wide range of products under three distinctive brands: National, HTB, and HoMade. Started in 1952 as a family-owned bakery, the company has expanded from its humble beginnings to become the top producer of breads, buns, crackers and other baked products in the island.

The company operates on a 220,000 sq. ft. complex with a state-of the-art biscuit and bread plant. There are over 700 people in the National family. National distributes its freshly made products islandwide each day. The company also exports a variety of its products to the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and other Caribbean Islands.

NRSC and National Security Ministry move to tackle major spike in road crashes and fatalities

Kingston, Jamaica: April 3, 2014

Following the dramatic spike in road fatalities in March where there was a 30% increase when compared with February, and a total of 35 persons killed, the Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting, in consultation with the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), convened a meeting on Thursday April 3, to discuss strategies to urgently reduce the rising carnage on the nation's roads. Attendees included Senior Superintendent in charge of the Traffic Division, Andrew Lewis; Deputy Superintendent of Traffic, Gary McKenzie; Head of the Transport Authority, Donald Foster; Head of the Island Traffic Authority Ludlow Powell; Co-ordinator of the NRSC's Below 240 Project, Victor Anderson, and other officials from the National Security Ministry.

During the meeting it was also revealed that, between January one and April three, 80 persons were killed on the nation’s roads. Additionally, among the fatalities were four children. Pedestrians continue to figure prominently in the data with a total of 26 killed during the period, representing 34 % of the total number of road crash fatalities since the start of the year. The figure also represents six more pedestrians killed compared with the similar period for last year.

St. Catherine North accounted for most fatalities with 10 deaths, followed by Westmoreland which accounted for eight. Manchester, St Andrew South and St. Ann each accounted for five fatalities, while Clarendon recorded seven fatalities and St Andrew Central six. The NRSC has also provided a breakdown of the age group of persons killed in road crashes for the first quarter of 2014, which was 20 to 24, followed by the 40 to 44 age group. In 2013 the age group 25 to 29 accounted for most of the road crash fatalities.

During the period, speeding was again highlighted as the main cause of 22 road crash fatalities. This was followed by pedestrian error which accounted for 14 cases. Drivers who failed to keep left accounted 11 while drivers who followed too closely; inattention of drivers; drivers overtaking improperly and swerving, each accounted for three fatal crashes.

Those attending the meeting, having looked at the data and having observed that most of the crashes were not occurring in bad spots (more than two crashes in one area), then decided that the following strategies would be employed to drive down road deaths in the short and medium term:

A major strategy involves the Island Traffic Authority and the Transport Authority, as well as other relevant agencies putting in place measures to ensure that drivers with multiple outstanding traffic tickets are not re-issued licences.

Measures will also be explored to provide additional resources for the Police Traffic Department to effectively carry out their traffic management duties, and discussions in this regard will continue with the National Security Ministry.

In addition, the National Works Agency will be asked to repair and repaint pedestrian crossings, lights and signage across the island.

Expressing alarm at the spike in the figures, Dr. Lucien Jones, Vice Chairman and Convenor of the NRSC said, “We are intensifying our efforts along with our various partner agencies to ensure road fatalities are kept under 240 this year. Already there are discussions taking place and measures to step up the public education campaign for pedestrians are already in train.  The current situation cannot be allowed to continue.”

Contact: Ceila Morgan, PROComm 550-9330 or 926-6740

NRSC LAUNCHES NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY POSTER COMPETITION 2014

Kingston, Jamaica: March 20, 2014

The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) will launch its annual National Road Safety Poster Competition on Monday, March 24 with three categories of winners being targeted this year.

The competition is open to children and youth from ages six to nineteen and ends on Friday, April 25.

Based on the continued high levels of pedestrian involvement in motor vehicle crashes, the NRSC has decided to continue its focus on pedestrian safety and the theme this year is: “Pedestrian Safety – Our Responsibility”.

Since the start of the year and up to March 12, there were 59 reported fatalities from 56 crashes on the roads. Of this number, 16 were pedestrians, 11 motorcyclists and seven pedal cyclists. The number of road deaths is seven more than those for the similar period last year. Four children were killed on the roads during the period, of which two were pedestrians.

Vice-Chairman of the NRSC, Dr. Lucien Jones, explained the reason for maintaining the focus on pedestrian safety. “Despite our efforts last year, pedestrian, motorcyclist and pedal cyclist deaths remain a major concern. We, therefore, want to remind Jamaicans that we all have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all on the roads by practising safe measures when walking, riding or driving. Our children and youth also have a role to play in the effort to reduce road fatalities.”

The posters, which should be original designs must include one of, or a combination of the following areas of expression: drawing, painting or mixed media.

Each poster must be accompanied by a correctly completed entry form or a sheet of paper indicating name, date of birth, address, telephone number/email address, entry category, name of school, youth club, and theme of Poster Competition.

Students can access entry forms at the NRSC’s website,www.nationalroadsafetycouncil.org.jm, or at the NRSC blog,nrscjamaica.blogspot.com. Entry forms are also available at the NRSC’s offices at 145 Maxfield Avenue, Kingston 10.

Contact: Ceila Morgan, PROCOmm – 926-6740 or 550-9330