One Year In, Digicel Guyana Continues to Deliver Its Promise
After a three-year, GY$60M donation, Digicel Guyana and the Ministry of Health are benefitting the special needs community.
Last year, Digicel Guyana finalised plans to help the Ministry of Health’s mission for special needs and rehabilitation services in Guyana. One component of the agreement was centred around upskilling and training locals in this community. The other focus was Digicel Guyana’s GY$60 million three-year donation, crucial to supporting the caregivers, families, friends, and loved ones of those with special needs.
For the telecommunications company, “The long-term vision is the creation of world-class development facilities for children with special needs across the ten regions of Guyana.” This hope echoes its commitment to education, healthcare, community development, sustainable programmes, socioeconomic change, and inclusivity. Per the Guyana Times, “Digicel Guyana has been a longstanding partner of the Government and other organisations for social development across communities in Guyana.”
An Update on Digicel Guyana’s Three-Year Donation
Fast-forward to 2023 and Digicel Guyana and the Ministry of Health are making significant headway in the training and advancement for special needs care as Digicel Guyana presented GY$5.9M on 18 July 2023. First, Jemima Crosse, a 26-year-old pursuing a Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy at the University of the West Indies received GY$1.748M towards tuition assistance.
Second, GY$4.16M went towards dozens of Guyanese professionals pursuing an autism training programme courtesy of the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Not only are these individuals healthcare workers such as occupational and speech therapists, but they are special needs teachers and social workers. By facilitating this training, over 2,000 kids will be positively impacted. Not to mention, these funds are allowing others to attend prestigious institutions like the University of North Carolina and the University of San Jose.
In Guyana and beyond, the Digicel Group and the Digicel Foundation have pushed for systemic change for people with disabilities. One testament was when Digicel signed The Valuable 500 Commitment, an international disability inclusion movement amongst business leaders and companies, becoming a Valuable 500 member. About 2,478 kilometres from Guyana, the Digicel Jamaica Foundation was an advocate for the Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination.
With months to go until the end of Digicel Guyana’s three-year initiative, many more milestones are sure to be achieved.