STEELBANDS LEAD THE WAY IN SOCIAL CHANGE

(Front L-R) Penny Gomez, CEO of the Digicel Foundation, Beverley Ramsey-Moore, President of PanTrinbago and Councillor Josiah Austin, Chairman of the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation, cut the ribbon on the Technology in Education Centre at Curepe Scherzando Panyard on Wednesday 6 March 2024, in the company of excited representatives from Curepe Scherzando, T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps, NGC Couva Joylanders and NLCB Fonclaire.

MONDAY 11 MARCH 2024, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO –  For over 50 years, the Curepe Scherzando Steel Orchestra has been an integral part of its community, supporting positive outreach activities across music, culture and even sports. It is now one of eight panyards that has an air-conditioned tech centre on its premises, courtesy of the Digicel Foundation’s Technology in Education (TIE) Programme in partnership with PanTrinbago.

Curepe Scherzando Steel Orchestra plays at the launch of the Technology in Education Centre at its panyard on Wednesday 6 March 2024.

The TIE Centres at Curepe Scherzando, T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps, NGC Couva Joylanders and NLCB Fonclaire were launched in a joint event on Wednesday 6 March 2024. Each centre is equipped with five computers, printers, comfortable furniture and one year of free high-speed internet from Digicel Plus.

“This initiative comes at a time when there is a significant challenge with juvenile delinquencies and anti-social behaviour amongst our young people which require a whole country approach to ensure that the future of our communities and nation remains bright,” remarked Councillor Josiah Austin, the Chairman of the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation. “To that end, the role of our national instrument and the activities surrounding its continued development provides a unique opportunity to choral the energies of our young people through the use of music, and now with this initiative, through technology.”

Stakeholders came together at Curepe Scherzando Panyard on Wednesday 6 March 2024 to celebrate the launch of Technology in Education Centres at Curepe Scherzando, T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps, NGC Couva Joylanders and NLCB Fonclaire panyards.

Kevon Butcher of T&TEC Angel Harps spoke on behalf of the four bands, thanking the Digicel Foundation for its investment and sharing that “This will create opportunities for youths within the community to become more computer literate and have a proper learning environment where studies can happen outside of normal school hours. We assure you that this opportunity will not go to waste.”

President of PanTrinbago Beverley Ramsey-Moore emphasised that the partnership with Digicel Foundation aligned with the ongoing goals of PanTrinbago, and that steelbands must embrace technology. She shared, “We have been using our panyards to empower and prepare our young people for life, and we are extremely passionate about the work we do.”

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 Curepe Scherzando panyard is equipped with five computers, printers, comfortable furniture and one year of free high-speed internet from Digicel Plus.

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