PANDEMONIUM, TRINIDAD ALL STARS AND VALLEY HARPS STEEL ORCHESTRA LAUNCH TECH CENTRES

Abraham Smith, CEO of Digicel Trinidad and Tobago and Board Director of the Digicel Foundation, chats with a young pannist in the new Technology in Education Centre at Pandemonium Panyard in Belmont on Wednesday 28 February 2024.

FRIDAY 01 MARCH 2024, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO –  On Wednesday 28 February 2024, Pandemonium, Trinidad All Stars and Valley Harps Steel Orchestras celebrated the opening of technology centres at their panyards in a joint event hosted by Pandemonium at 3 Norfolk Street, Belmont.

These are the first three of eight technology centres to open at panyards this year courtesy of the Digicel Foundation’s Technology in Education (TIE) Programme, in partnership with PanTrinbago. Each centre is equipped with five computers, a printer, furniture, air-conditioning units, and one year of free high-speed internet from Digicel Plus.

Ross Thomas, Captain of Pandemonium Steel Orchestra, Abraham Smith, CEO Digicel Trinidad and Tobago & Board Director of the Digicel Foundation, Desiree Myers, Chairman Northern Region PanTrinbago, His Worship Chinua Alleyne, Mayor of Port of Spain and Penny Gomez, CEO Digicel Foundation cut the ribbon on the Technology in Education Centre at Pandemonium Panyard in Belmont on Wednesday 28 February.

“These centres are not just spaces with computers and printers; they are vibrant hubs of empowerment, designed to increase access to the internet and unleash the power of technology,” said Abraham Smith, CEO of Digicel Trinidad & Tobago and Digicel Foundation Board Member. He called on the audience to imagine the exciting opportunities these centres will create – from budding musicians composing and arranging music to Belmont residents exploring business ventures using technology.

During the launch, PRO for Trinidad All Stars Staci-Ann Patrick thanked the Digicel Foundation on behalf of all three bands for its important investment in youth pannists who she hailed as “the melody of our country.”

Abraham Smith, CEO of Digicel Trinidad and Tobago and Board Director of the Digicel Foundation (on the right), gets a quick pan lesson at Pandemonium Panyard in Belmont at the launch of the Digicel Foundation’s Technology in Education Centres on Wednesday 28 February 2024.

Desiree Myers, Chairman of Northern Region PanTrinbago, shared, “We are extremely enthused and excited at this partnership aimed at youth empowerment and at the continued synergistic relationship with the Digicel Foundation.” 

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.   The Digicel Foundation’s overall investment of TT$540,000 in eight TIE Centres at panyards reflects its ongoing commitment to culture and community development. 

The newly launched Technology in Education Centre at Pandemonium Panyard, 3 Norfolk Street, Belmont.

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