THE FirstRock Foundation recently donated nine tablet computers to the House of SDM, which will be be handed over students who are struggling to access the well-needed devices.

The House of SDM is a non-profit organisation founded on the tenets of education, employment, human rights, health, and community development. Through the work it conducts the group continues to be dedicated to upholding dignity and uplifting the Jamaican family.

According to head of the FirstRock Foundation, Joyce Chin, the organisation is happy to be part of this initiative.

“Our foundation sees social commitment as an integral part of our corporate philosophy. That is why we usually support projects over a longer of time to provide help where it is needed. As we are in times of need and adversity, our foundation will continue to be active in living up to our mandate as our thoughts are for the well-being of our people and the betterment of our country,” said Chin.

She added that as part of its commitment to impacting lives, the foundation has also awarded a scholarship of $500,000 to a deserving student of the University of Technology, Jamaica, Tavoy Barrett, for his outstanding involvement in entrepreneurship.

Barrett expressed gratitude to the FirstRock Foundation and asserted that the scholarship has impacted his life in myriad ways.

“I now have the luxury of focusing on school more than ever before, giving it my all while worrying less about financing my studies. Additionally, it gives me the opportunity to further explore additional extra-curricular activities and experiences, particularly student leadership and advocacy,” Barrett said.

He lauded the foundation for its contribution to society and hoped that other organisations would follow suit.

“The efforts of the FirstRock Foundation are commendable and, as a recipient of this scholarship, I am grateful to the foundation for its support and investment in me and, by extension, the future of Jamaica. I look forward to the foundation being a model for other companies to emulate and study on how to truly be good corporate citizens,” he added.

The foundation is no stranger to making significant contributions. In 2020 it donated 106 tablets to several institutions. That year also saw the foundation indulge in community outreach programmes in which it contributed 125 care packages with basic food items and hygiene products valued at $250,000 to needy Jamaicans.

Adding to its contribution, in 2021, the FirstRock Foundation donated an AC unit to Rural Hill Primary and Infant School and, following that, partnered with BossMom Builds and Food for the Poor for 2022 Mother’s Day, handing over a furnished, stocked, and move-in-ready, turn-key home, with small appliances, groceries, and amenities included to a mom-in-need.

Chin said the foundation will keep investing its time and resources towards having that profound and long-lasting effect on the nation’s social well-being.

“We will continue to focus on the needs of the less fortunate and aid in the growth of our country. We are extremely pleased with our contributions and the lives they have so far impacted. Our recent donation to the House of SDM is just another confirmation that we are in full gear to proceed with our contributions to impact more lives,” said Chin.

“In that same breath, we must commend the House of SDM for their efforts in remaining active for the betterment of the country. It was necessary for this partnership as our beliefs are tantamount,” declared Chin.