FROM grassroots projects to nationwide transformation, accountant Dennis Beckford and administrator Totlyn Brown-Robb are the driving forces behind the meaningful work the Desnoes & Geddes (D&G) Foundation carries out e
ach day, and they are always focused on creating sustainable long-term changes to the lives they impact.

Both enthusiastic about community development and the value of giving back, Beckford and Brown-Robb seamlessly collaborate to support mentorship and skills training, health and wellness, sports, and community development across Jamaica.

“My passion for philanthropy traces back to my childhood roots in the countryside — it felt intrinsic, almost a part of my very being,” Brown-Robb shared.

“I recall my dad once joking that he thought I’d become a pastor, given my inclination towards giving. From the simple acts of delivering breadfruit or dinner to neighbours in need to witnessing my parents’ relentless generosity despite limited means, altruism seemed woven into the fabric of our lives. Could it be in one’s DNA? If so, it’s been there since birth.”

St Thomas native Beckford developed a passion for giving back after experiencing the personal impacts of being a benefactor of others’ goodwill. As a beneficiary of the HEART/NSTA Trust programme and invaluable mentorship along the way, he joined the foundation to ensure young Jamaicans are offered similar opportunities.

“Being part of the foundation is about embodying the change I’ve experienced first-hand. For instance, our training programmes have helped so many young people to upskill and become productive members of society. They have contributed to a decrease in the unemployment rate and are now better able to provide for their families. I’m glad to know that in this way, we’re giving them hope and security,” he said.

As facilitators of change at the foundation, Beckford and Brown-Robb have propelled the betterment of numerous communities across the country, whether by providing housing solutions to needy families, academic opportunities and jobs for at-risk youths, or providing learning tools and equipment to underprivileged students.

“While our foundation has significantly impacted our country in more ways than one, we have had the most impact in literacy and training. After all, education is one of the most significant tools for empowerment and an area which needs even greater attention,” affirmed Brown-Robb.

Over the years, the foundation has had the most impact through its Learning for Life programme, training over 17,000 vulnerable youths in merchandising, bartending, forklift training, and other skills.

“I have a lot of nieces and nephews out there. Sometimes, I enter a hotel or restaurant and hear, ‘Hi, Auntie Totlyn!’. I may not always remember the faces, but they never forget me. When you make an impression in someone’s life, they are forever grateful, and I could not be prouder of their accomplishments,” Brown-Robb said. “There are some trainees we still have on Carnival Cruise lines, and they will often give me a call when they vacation in Jamaica, and that’s what keeps me going.”

Supporting his colleague in her stance that “no man is an island, no man stands alone. If each of us plays our part, we would have a greater impact, a greater community, and by extension a far better country”. Beckford encourages private sector corporations and NGOs to continue giving back to the communities they serve, while paying keen attention to early childhood education.

“There is overwhelming value in all learning initiatives. However, we’ve realised that early childhood literacy programmes within inner-city communities are critical. Providing our children with the necessary resources at this age will help to prevent or minimise literacy challenges and give each child a better opportunity to excel. Let’s not wait until they’ve started lagging to act or continue playing ‘catch up’ with our teen youths when we could have made a difference in their lives earlier”, he encouraged.