Steelbands Lead the Way in Social Change

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.

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.”

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.