Digicel TT donates US$750k to Digicel Foundation

The Digicel Foundation – a non-profit independent company of the Digicel Group – shared its financial statements for the first financial quarter of 2023 during its annual general meeting at the Digicel headquarters at Ansa Centre, Port of Spain on Wednesday.

Board member of the foundation Bibi Mohamed-Singh said this year the foundation had only one donor – Digicel TT – which contributed US$750,000.

Speaking on the financial position for the year, she said, “We had a position of $609,000 and of that $321,000 was allocated to the foundation’s payable account and there was a remainder of $288,000. We already had projects allocated for those funds and at the end of June, we have completed $1.4 million in our account, now.”

For the year, Mohamed-Singh explained how the money was spent and said other expenses – travel, general administration and branding among others – made up 36 per cent of spending, followed by community development which was $1.4 million or 27 per cent while special needs took $1.1 million or 20 per cent of funding.

She added, “Over the year, we had a reduction in our donations by two per cent withstanding that reduction, our project expenses still increase by eight per cent mainly because of an overspill from last year.

Digicel Foundation CEO Penny Gomez said with the foundation’s focus being for special needs people, it has also commissioned ten innovation labs at the special schools in TT.

“Each lab comprises of computers, printers, virtual reality headsets, interactive smart boards, smart TVs, assistance devices and appropriate furniture offerings.”

In addition to that, the foundation unveiled the Special Olympics of TT Secretariat, Manny Ramjohn stadium, San Fernando.

This has been the foundation’s mission since its inception 11 years ago, Gomez said.

Coming out of this were four special needs athletes who participated in the Special Needs Olympics, Berlin, Germany from June 17 to Tuesday.

Victoria Samuel who tied with Canada for first in the 25 metre backstroke race at the games said it was an amazing first experience. She also thanked the foundation for its support as she would not have been able to participate without them.

CEO of Digicel and board member of the Digicel Foundation Abraham Smith said he was blown away by the passion displayed by the community groups at the Digicel office.

He said, “Our work is really people-driven and community-centred and I cannot wait to see what’s in store for the foundation.”