A lively start to the year at the Digicel Foundation

Port-au-Prince, HAITI – January 26, 2022: For the sixth edition of its annual grant campaign, the Digicel Foundation welcomed 25 finalist organizations to Port-au-Prince from January 17 to 20. In addition to this, progress in the school construction program and professional development initiatives is also noteworthy.

The traditional meetings in Port-au-Prince for Konbit Pou Chanjman concluded, marking the final phase for the 25 finalist organizations to secure a grant of $10,000 USD. Two representatives from each organization participated in a program that included both training sessions and the presentation of their community projects before a jury. For this sixth edition, $150,000 USD will be distributed to 15 organizations from the country’s 10 departments. The award ceremonies are scheduled for March, and the entire Digicel Foundation team is excited to see the outcomes of these projects, which will serve as a springboard for advancing their respective communities.

At the same time, the school construction program is progressing well, with three active construction sites in areas affected by the August 14, 2021 earthquake. As of this writing, the construction of Paul VI School in Vieux-Bourg is 95% complete, Saint-Michel de Charpentier National Congregational School is at 75%, and the construction of Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours School in Latibolière is 60% finished. These schools are located in the South and Grande-Anse departments.

The Digicel Foundation is committed to combining school construction with professional development to ensure quality education for over 60,000 students. Through the Project to Support the Strengthening of School Communities for Quality Education (PARCCSEQ), 66 of the 67 schools involved have already received funding to implement a social enterprise. The PARCCSEQ initiative aims to ensure the sustainability of the Foundation’s investments for the benefit of these communities. The Foundation is also pleased to see the gradual yet significant recovery of these schools following the country's turbulent period.

Overall, the beginning of the year has been eventful for the Digicel Foundation, with visits to the finalist organizations of the 6th edition of Konbit Pou Chanjman in Port-au-Prince, progress on the school construction projects, advancements in the PARCCSEQ initiative, and the ongoing work of institutions that won the 2022 Christmas campaign.

“For this new year, the Digicel Foundation team remains guided by its mission to create a world where no one is left behind. We are fully committed to executing our agenda, which includes various initiatives in support of Haitian communities,” said Sophia Stransky, Executive Director of the Digicel Foundation.