MONTEGO BAY, St James —

The Digicel Foundation, through a partnership with the Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ),has granted $3.5 million to three companies in the Montego Bay Freezone to undertake community development projects in the parish of St James.

This partnership saw Xerox Services Jamaica being awarded a $2million grant towards its projects at the Catherine Hall Primary School, while ITEL BPO Solutions received $1miilion to support their work at the Blossom Gardens Children’s Home, and Global Gateway Solutions received $500,000 towards their activities at the Somerton All-Age and Infant School.

With this financial support from the Digicel Foundation, Xerox Services Jamaica will undertake the construction of a new classroom and bathroom at the Catherine Hall Primary School, while ITEL BPO Solutions will see to the installation of a playground for the children at the Blossom Gardens Children’s Home. Global Gateways Solutions will use their funding to create a Safety Zone in the vicinity of the Somerton All-Age and Infant School.

“There are a lot of companies across Jamaica that are doing good in their communities,” said Samantha Chantrelle, CEO of the Digicel Foundation.

“But a lot of times, we see where these projects could be far more impactful and beneficial to even more people if they had stronger financial support. So the Digicel Foundation is very happy to give a hand to these companies that are looking to make their communities better for everyone. It’s a common goal we all share.

“Giving back is a huge part of our DNA at Digicel, and we encourage the efforts of all the other corporate entities we see actively practising social responsibility. These companies have shown that they are dedicated to supporting the cause and we’re glad to be able to support them even further.”

President of the BPIAJ, Yoni Epstein, shared similar sentiments. “The BPO (Business Processing Outsourcing) industry embraces social engagement and with its membership, the BPIAJ will continue to explore the partnership with the Digicel Foundation to foster community and social involvement. In this industry, not only do we build great teams to foster great customer service, but we build great relationships and partnerships for the social good,” said Epstein.

CEO Digicel Foundation Samantha Chantrelle (third left) joins (from left) Samantha Moodie, Customer Service Representative at Global Gateway Services; Leroy Reid, Vice President and Country Director for Global Operations Support, Xerox, and Yoni Epstein, President of BPIAJ after they collected their cheques from the foundation which will be used to undertake social outreach projects in St James.