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.

Caribbean News

Police Academy Commissioner Shot Dead in Haiti

Published

12 hours ago

November 29, 2022

Deandrea Hamilton

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Haiti, November 29, 2022 – The police in Haiti have launched an investigation following the assassination of the director of the National Police Academy, Commissioner Rigaud Harington.

Reports from the police are that Harington was shot dead on the grounds of the police training facility in a gang-controlled neighbourhood in the country’s capital of Port-au-Prince on Friday, November 25.

The spokesperson for the National Police of Haiti (PNH), Inspector Garry Desrosiers, in confirming Friday’s killing, said the commissioner was “shot in the head not far from the Academy” and the attackers “stole his [Harington’s] vehicle and kidnapped his driver.”

Harington’s killing is the latest in several attacks against law enforcement in Haiti. The killing also happened at a time when international leaders are trying to help Haiti’s political leaders control the surge in gang violence in the country.

The police have not released any information on who might be responsible for the commissioner’s death.

Caribbean News

St Kitts and Nevis Welcomed the World’s Largest Cruise Ship

Published

12 hours ago

November 29, 2022

Deandrea Hamilton

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#StKittsandNevis, November 29, 2022 – The twin island of St Kitts and Nevis is about to chart its busiest cruise seasons yet as the world’s largest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas, made its inaugural call to Port Zante in the country on Thursday, November 24.

About 6,495 guests arrived on the ship, with 2,259 crew members on board.

The oasis class ship was welcomed by Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, who led a delegation on board last Thursday to host a brief plaque exchange ceremony.

“You have confidence in the destination by adding St Kitts and Nevis to your now largest vessel, the Wonder of the Seas, with a passenger capacity of 6,988,” the Prime Minister said.

The Chief Executive Officer at the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Mr. Ellison Thompson, said the ship’s visit was a result of the country’s comprehensive negotiations with stakeholders.

“The destination’s ability to secure a vessel with a 6,495-passenger capacity today, November 24, is the result of comprehensive negotiations between the Ministry, the Authority, and cruise lines. As a result, we are gradually seeing the fruits of our marketing and strategic efforts, and we take pride in celebrating such a momentous occasion,” Thompson said.

Caribbean News

WE GOIN’ KEW: Festival of the Year

Published

13 hours ago

November 29, 2022

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, November 29, 2022 – The WE GOIN’ KEW’ festival charity event was a huge success bringing people together to enjoy Turks and Caicos Islands food and cultural performances and organised by the Turks and Caicos Islands Unity Committee.

On Saturday, November 19, 2022, residents from across the Turks and Caicos Islands chain found their way to the Bellefield Landing in Kew, North Caicos, to support what is being described as the biggest festival of the year with an estimated two thousand people attending. The event also saw fifteen vendors present, serving local Twin Island dishes, and featuring three local bands, and artists from The Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas.

Proceeds garnered from the WE GOIN’ KEW Festival will support key projects across North and Middle Caicos and assist with completing the homeroom at Ashley’s Learning Center, according to the Director of the TCI Unity Community, Mr. Alvin Hegner.

Hegner added, “This charitable event was held for the people of the Twin Islands and Ashley’s Learning Center. We wanted to give back to the community while showcasing local food vendors and craft and farmers’ markets. On behalf of the organising committee, I would like to express thanks and appreciation to the people of the Twin Islands for their unwavering support and for helping us to create an extraordinary outcome. Thanks to Sharmaine Clarke for her coordinating efforts on the Twin Islands”.

A special thanks to the event’s sponsors for making it all happen in various ways: The Wine Cellar, Turks Head Brewery, Anderson Media, Big Josh Country Club, Play Big Win Big Entertainment, Prime DJ’s, JACA TCI , Grant Thornton, LEW 1 Shipping, Rasco Sounds, Building Materials DoITCenter, Engel & Volkers, Wymara Resort and Villas, Fortis TCI, FLOW, Dragon Cay Resort, Digicel, MEP Solutions: Electrical and Plumbing, HAB Group, Waratah Construction TCI, RED Hospitality and Leisure & Lady Grace, Catamaran, Mac N Cheese Adventures, The Strand, Beaches Turks and Caicos, BCQS, Turquoise Horizons, Franks Hardware, Delta Electric, AE&S construction, COMO Hotels and Resorts, Caicos Isle Management, Island Drilling, Ports Authority, Turks and Caicos Islands, Robinsons’s Variety, Island Convenience – Grace Bay, Got You Covered, Reliable Security, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, TCI Ministry Of Health, District Commissioner Of North Caicos Madam Musgrove, and the District Commissioner of Middle Caicos Sir Delancy.

The WE GOIN’ KEW Festival is now an annual event. The scheduled date for WE GOIN’ KEW 2023 is Saturday, November 4, 2023. The proceeds from WE GOIN’ KEW 2023 will assist with housing projects throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.

TCI Unity is a nonprofit organisation geared towards helping those in need in the Turk and Caicos Islands. Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the TCI Unity distributed over 500 meal boxes to families in need throughout the country.