PAN RISING WITH THE DIGICEL FOUNDATION
Abraham Smith, CEO of Digicel Trinidad and Tobago and Board Director of the Digicel Foundation, chats with a young pannist at the Technology in Education Centre at Pandemonium Panyard in Belmont in February 2024.
THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2024, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – The Digicel Foundation is once again partnering with the Pan fraternity to install technology labs at panyards throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Ten panyards will soon benefit from tech upgrades as part of the Digicel Foundation’s Technology in Education (TIE) Programme, joining the eight launched last year.
Through an investment of TT$675,000, the Digicel Foundation will equip the panyards with computers, desks, chairs, and essential electrical and infrastructural upgrades. As part of this year's efforts to create vibrant, youth-friendly spaces, new tech gadgets such as Nintendo Switch consoles and Smart TVs will also be installed at some of the panyards, providing new tools for learning and creativity.
Band leaders are eagerly awaiting the upgrades as they plan to use technology to increase and enhance music literacy amongst youth. The Digicel Foundation’s Project Officer Diana Mathura-Hobson emphasised the broader impact of the initiative, sharing, "The TIE Centres are more than just computer labs. These spaces are meant to create new opportunities and bolster innovation within these communities. It’s about connecting culture and communities through technology in a responsible way."
(L-R): Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis; Manager of the Tobago Pan-Thers Brian Thomas; and Digicel Foundation Board Director Georgina Peterkin support a student using a desktop computer at the Tobago Pan-Thers Panyard Technology in Education Centre.
Youth from the Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra in Tobago perform at the launch of the Panyard’s Technology in Education (TIE) Centre earlier in 2024.
The upgrades are well underway, with the following panyards set to be completed by the end of November 2024:
● Highlanders Steel Orchestra – Morvant Port of Spain
● Royal Stars Steel Orchestra – Lady Young Morvant
● Tokyo Steel Orchestra – John John East Port of Spain
● Sangre Grande Cordettes – Sangre Grande
● Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra – San Fernando
● Diatonics Steel Orchestra – Siparia
● Nuttin Big Steel Orchestra – Petite Valley
● West Stars Steel Orchestra – Diego Martin
● Desperadoes Steel Orchestra – Port of Spain
● RBC Redemtion Steel Orchestra – Tobago
The partnership between Digicel Foundation and these Steelbands highlights a shared vision for blending tradition with technology, ensuring that culture remains dynamic and accessible to the next generation.
Mayor of Port of Spain Chinua Alleyne (third from right) joined representatives from The Digicel Foundation, PanTrinbago, Valley Harps Steel Orchestra, Pandemonium Steel Orchestra and Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra to cut the ribbon on the Digicel Foundation’s Technology in Education Centre at Pandemonium Panyard in Belmont earlier in 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.