THE WINNING CHORD FOR CULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
Abraham Smith, CEO of Digicel Trinidad and Tobago and Board Director of the Digicel Foundation, chats with a young pannist at the launch of the Technology in Education Centre at Pandemonium Panyard in Belmont in February 2024.
THURSDAY 04 JULY 2024: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – On 4 July 2024, the Digicel Foundation launched the third year of its Technology in Education (TIE) programme. This year’s initiative returns in partnership with PanTrinbago, focusing on integrating technology into traditional steelpan yards to foster community engagement, preserve cultural traditions, and provide development opportunities.
“The Digicel Foundation is thrilled to partner with PanTrinbago for a second year, and we invite all registered Steelbands to apply for a technology centre at their panyard,” said Diana Mathura-Hobson, Digicel Foundation’s Project Officer. “The TIE Centre ‘panyard model’ underscores our commitment to enhancing technological access and skills-building opportunities in underserved communities. Following two very successful years, we have seen how this programme not only supports local talent but can also contribute to the cultural and educational development of Trinidad and Tobago.”
A moment of mesmerizing harmony as this young prodigy brings the magic of steelpan to life at Pandemonium Panyard in February 2024.
The TIE programme was born in 2022 when the Digicel Foundation launched a digital transformation mission to support youth, vulnerable women and underserved communities, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology to arm the next generation of the Digital Age, these centres serve as hubs for education, digital literacy and vocational training – empowering members of marginalised communities with essential skills for the future.
To date, the Digicel Foundation has invested over TT$730,000 towards establishing 12 TIE centres, with 9 of these centres integrated into existing panyards across the nation such as the Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, the Trinidad All-Stars Steel Orchestra and the Tropical Angel Harps Steel Orchestra.
With a dedicated budget of TT$540,000 for 2024, the Digicel Foundation will establish eight new TIE Centres at panyards this year. For more information or to submit an application, visit https://www.digicelfoundation.org/tt/en/apply-for-a-grant/apply-for-a-tie-centre.
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