Caribbean News

H. J. ROBINSON GRATEFUL FOR GENEROSITY FROM DIGICEL

Published

6 years ago

July 15, 2016

Thursday, June 29^th – Providenciales – Almost $16,000 in materials and supplies has been donated by Digicel to the H.J. Robinson High School in order to assist with the school’s rebuilding efforts following a devastating fire at the start of the year. The donation was officially made on Friday 24^th June at the school grounds.

The generous donation was the culmination of efforts initiated by several Digicel employees who are also H.J. Robinson High alumni. The employees were so distraught at the news of the fire that, while it was raging they immediately mobilised, requesting the company’s help in order to provide assistance for the school.

A “text to donate” campaign was launched on 29^th January^, the evening of the fire, allowing all Digicel customers to donate $1 by “HELP” to 5151. Digicel’s Founder and Chairman, Denis O’Brien, was so moved by the employees’ compassion for their community that he personally contributed to the initiative. The school will receive a number of items like a wireless bell system, cameras, smart boards and PA speakers and lab equipment – as well as kitchen work tables and other items.

Roshaun Malcolm, Digicel Corporate Accounts Executive and H.J. Robinson High alumni, said: “As former students, the school has a really special place in our hearts and holds historical and educational significance for the TCI. The fire could have had a huge negative impact but, through the efforts of many in the community, especially our Chairman and our customers who have generously donated, and with Digicel’s help, we’ve turned a tragedy into a moment of triumph for community spirit.”

Digicel Marketing Communications Executive, Damian Wilson – also an alumnus – commented: “H.J. Robinson is a part of us, without it we could not have become the men and women that we are today. The rapid response by the community, in conjunction with Digicel, demonstrates that when we all work together, we can truly make a positive difference.”

H.J. Robinson’s principal, Reinwald Lewis, said: “We are excited and thankful for Digicel’s efforts to help us with our administrative block. After such a horrific fire, it is great to see that our alumni continue to value the contribution that the school has made to their lives and that they want to give back for the future of our children. Thank you to Digicel and Mr. O’ Brien for their generosity.”

Despite the challenges at the start of the new school year, the school has continued to dwell on the positives. “The teachers and students have been amazing,” Lewis said. “We’ve really had to be innovative and find ways around the challenges. Resilience is an important thing. We’re in the process of rebuilding, and I want to keep the enthusiasm.”

Takara Bain (Head of Marketing), Roshaun Malcolm (Corporate Accounts Executive), and Denniser Forbes (Corporate Care Executive) were in Grand Turk to attend a cheque presentation to the students and faculty of H.J. Robinson High School, on behalf of Digicel Turks and Caicos.

About Digicel Group

Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. Digicel TCI is a majority owned TCI Company. After more than 15 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 grassroots NRL programs, women’s business initiatives and the Amicale soccer team in Vanuatu.

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.

Bahamas News

Polio is back; 65 million missed shots in another COVID fall out

Published

7 days ago

August 6, 2022

Deandrea Hamilton

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#USA, August 4, 2022 – For the first time in almost a decade a new case of polio was recorded in the United States. The case which ended in paralysis emphasizes the danger the region faces as vaccination levels drop to 30-year lows.

The World Health Organization warned in early July explained that vaccination in the region of the Americas and the rest of world was dropping rapidly because of various spin off effects precipitated by the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Over 65 million infants missed out on basic vaccines in the last three years thanks to disruptions in routine healthcare, lockdowns and other circumstances. The effects are already being felt as once eradicated disease like measles and polio are once again emerging.

The Pan American Health Organization announced earlier this year the Americas are now facing another measles outbreak after having been declared free of the disease in 2016.

Dr. Jarvis Barbosa, Assistant director of PAHO said vaccination levels are now as low as they were in 1994 for measles and polio and Brazil has had several outbreaks of measles.

In the case of the United States an unvaccinated young adult developed the disease after contact with another individual vaccinated with a live version of the vaccine.

The breakout polio case in the US sent shockwaves across the country because of the severe nature of the disease. Polio is an extremely dangerous disease with no known cure. It causes paralysis in as many as 1 in 200 infected and that paralysis is permanent.

Normally very few school age children would be at risk in the Americas as the vaccine is required to start school but with the gap in vaccinations many more children are now at risk.

Polio was one of the most feared diseases of the 20th century, paralyzing and killing hundreds of thousands, especially children. Thankfully vaccinated individuals are not at risk and as such the WHO is advising that the best way to protect against polio is vaccination.

Photo Caption: Child in Benin takes Polio vaccine, UNSDG

Caribbean News

Dunn’s River Offers Special Summer Package

Published

1 week ago

August 5, 2022

Deandrea Hamilton

#Jamaica, August 5, 2022 – Persons looking for an adventurous activity to do this summer are being encouraged to take advantage of the ‘Summa Thrills’ promotion, being offered by the world-famous Dunn’s River Falls and Park.

The promotion, which ends September 15, includes paying one cost to climb the Falls, ‘Tek-A-Hike’ and Zip over the Falls via the Chukka Falls Flyer. In addition, persons will also have access to the beach, splash pad, and other amenities.

The cost for residents is $5,000 per person and US$75 per person for non-residents. A photo identification is required to access the resident rate.

“We have partnered with CHUKKA to create this five-star experience,” Marketing Manager, Urban Development Corporation (UDC), Kereen Cole-Ivey, told JIS News.

She further informed that ‘Tek-A-Hike’ is the newest product offering at Dunn’s River Falls and Park and that the promotion provides an opportunity to build awareness and renew interest in the falls and park.

‘Tek-a-Hike’ is a guided, one-hour-and-a-half hike that starts at the Tranquility Gardens and ends in the Dunn’s River Falls & Park Nursery. Here guests can purchase plants or adopt a tree as part of the park’s Reforestation and Conservation Programme.

The hike is approximately two miles and is an experience that the entire family can enjoy. Along the trail, guests will learn about the flora and fauna on the entire property, which is called the Belmont property, as well as the general history of Dunn’s River Falls and Park. They will also get a chance to visit the Belmont Great House ruins.

“Coming out of COVID-19, we thought that this (Summa Thrills) would have been a very great adventure for the family and for everyone to enjoy and have a good time,” said Mrs. Cole-Ivey, adding that the UDC has other plans in place for Dunn’s River.

Dunn’s River Falls and Park is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Persons are being encouraged to book ahead via the Dunn’s River website at www.dunnsriverfallsja.com, otherwise tickets can be purchased on location.

You may also visit @dunnsriver.jamaica and @udcjamaica on Instagram or call 876 618-6052 for additional information.

The Dunn’s River Falls and Park is managed and operated by St. Ann Development Corporation (SADCO), a subsidiary of the UDC.

Contact: Shanna K. Salmon

Release: JIS

Caribbean News

Carnival Cruise ordered to pay $10.2 million for passenger claiming rape by staff

Published

1 week ago

August 5, 2022

Deandrea Hamilton

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#USA, August 5, 2022 – A Miami-based Federal Court returned a more than $10.2 million verdict against Carnival Cruise Line in favour of a passenger who claims a former crew member raped her in a storage closet aboard the Carnival Miracle in 2018.

A jury issued the verdict recently in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida finding Carnival liable for damages to the plaintiff, for false imprisonment and sexual assault by a crew member, in December 2018.

The jury separately found that Carnival was not negligent and that the former crew member did not intentionally inflict emotional distress on Plaintiff.

According to a statement issued last week Tuesday, Carnival Cruise Line said the incident between the plaintiff and the former crew member was consensual and plans to appeal the court’s decision.