KATZENJAMMERS ROCK WITH TECHNOLOGY

Young pannists get comfortable at the Technology in Education Centre at the Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, Black Rock, Tobago on Wednesday 13 March 2024.

MONDAY 18 MARCH 2024, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – The Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra – Panorama medium band title holder and the pride of Black Rock Tobago – can now boast of a technology centre at its panyard. This addition will expand community access to the digital world and comes courtesy the Digicel Foundation’s Technology in Education (TIE) programme in partnership with PanTrinbago.

“As Trinbagonians, we know all too well the crucial place that the steel pan has played in our history and continues to play in our culture. We know that pan yards are intergenerational and that bands have robust youth following. This is the biggest block in the village. So why not invest in this space?” explained Georgina Peterkin, Digicel Foundation Director, at the launch of the Katzenjammers TIE Centre on Wednesday 13 March 2024.

Youth from the Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra perform at the launch of the panyard’s Technology in Education Centre on Wednesday 13 March 2024.

The Katzenjammers space was upgraded and outfitted with five computers and a printer,  as well one year of free high-speed internet from Digicel Plus, at a total investment of TT$69,399 from the Digicel Foundation.

“The Technology in Education Centres is another way of lighting up our panyards. It is a way to empower and unearth new talent in our youth which aligns to the Katzenjammers 20-year-old vision statement ‘Pan out your fullest Potential’. If we pour positive ideas into our children, we will see the changes we want to see in our communities,” shared Beverley Ramsey-Moore, President of PanTrinbago. 

Beverley Ramsey-Moore, President of PanTrinbago (centre right), and Georgina Peterkin, Digicel Foundation Director (centre left) cut the ribbon on the Technology in Education Centre at the Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, Black Rock, Tobago on Wednesday 13 March 2024.

Chairman of the Tobago Region, PanTrinbago, Mr. Brian Thomas said, “PanTrinbago Tobago Region extends its deepest gratitude to the Digicel Foundation for recognising the significance of our national instrument as a vessel for learning, and for their visionary approach in integrating technology into this artform.”

This is the second year of the Digicel Foundation’s TIE programme, which aims to help bridge the digital divide by increasing access to the internet and technology in underserved communities.   In partnership with PanTrinbago, the programme has launched 8 TIE Centres this year at Pandemonium, Trinidad All Stars, Valley Harps, NLCB Fonclaire, Curepe Scherzando, T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps, NGC Couva Joylanders and Katzenjammers.  The Digicel Foundation’s overall investment in these 8 TIE Centres is TT$540,000.

Georgina Peterkin, Digicel Foundation Director, looks on as a community member tries out one of the new computers at the Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra TIE Centre in Black Rock, Tobago on Wednesday 13 March 2024.

ENDS

About Digicel

As a Digital Operator, Digicel is in the business of delivering powerful digital experiences 1440 minutes of each day to customers – that’s every minute, all day, every day.

Through its world-class LTE and fibre networks, together with its suite of eight apps spanning sports (SportsMax), music (D’Music), news (Loop), local radio and podcasts (GoLoud), TV streaming, (PlayGo) enhanced messaging and marketplaces (BiP), cloud storage (Billo) and self-care (MyDigicel app), Digicel is the only operator in its markets that can deliver the complete digital experience.

Serving consumer and business customers in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific with investments of over US$7 billion and a commitment to communities in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad & Tobago, the Digicel Foundation has contributed to positive outcomes for over three million people to date.

With its Better Together brand, Digicel is promising “simply more” to its customers and communities as the company’s 7,000 employees worldwide work together to make this pledge a powerful reality day in, day out.

For more, visit www.digicelgroup.com