The Digicel Foundation cannot do great work without great partners. It is through the connections we have made which affords the Foundation the possibility to reach more than 400,000 men, women and children in Haiti. We support to organizations which seek to provide services and infrastructure for those with a disability or in need of community development, construction and education. The Digicel Foundation works to support communities and change lives.
Here are some highlights of the work the Digicel Foundation has accomplished with partners:
J/P HRO
Coordinating one of the largest IDP camps in Delmas, providing medical assistance and operating a rubble removal program demonstrates many of the J/P HRO’s accomplishments on the ground. In partnership with the Digicel Foundation, children will have access to a new paraseismic and paraciclonic educational facility equipped with 6 fully furnished classrooms, administration office and latrines. Along with the school, the Delmas 32 “Community House”, a center which provides former Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) with educational and social empowerment classes promoting self-sufficiency, was made possible through our support. More than 15,000 people will have access to these programs, activities and programs related to cholera prevention, basic education, arts and crafts and livelihoods.
Partners in Health
Partners in Health has been making headway as a global pioneer in health treatment and community development in the developing world. In the past four years, the Digicel Foundation has supported PiH education programme in the Central Plateau, including funding the construction of 7 fully equipped schools as well as school feeding, serving more than 20,000 children and their families. Recently, the Digicel Foundation has committed to supporting the development of PIH’s new mental health care facility, which will offer mental health care services to more than 100,000 people per year.
Concern Worldwide
Concern has 40 years’ experience in the fight against poverty. It focuses on the areas of education, emergencies and health, and livelihoods. During the emergency phase of the earthquake, the Digicel Foundation supported Concern’s response by funding the construction of temporary housing and distribution of tents to more than 90,000 IDPs. More importantly, 400 families in Saut D’Eau benefit from the “Chemin Lavi Miyo” program which is a livelihoods program for the most vulnerable women-led households to put them on the journey out of poverty and hunger. Each woman receives training (literacy, financial literacy, business skills) and a case worker to manage 2 income generating activities, receiving micro loans to manage their small businesses. Along with the basic education and business skills training, 150 of the most vulnerable families are provided access to health services.
BRAC Haiti
In the aftermath of the earthquake, thousands of people lost limbs and houses. BRAC Haiti, with its 40 year experience in emergency recovery and development in post conflict countries, provided prosthetics/orthotics devices to more than 1000 victims, 225 permanent resistant homes (earthquake and hurricane resistant) in rural areas affected by the earthquake and livelihoods to help families recover. In addition to its work in health and construction, BRAC Haiti is supporting youth development in Haiti. The Digicel Foundation in partnership with BRAC Haiti, launched a Youth Enterprise School pilot in Fondwa to help make rural schools more sustainable through income generating activities while providing basic education, financial literacy and business skills to 30 older youth. Since the pilot’s inception, 150 layer hens (laying on average 3000 eggs per month), 9 goats, 7000 fruit tree seedlings, and 2700 vegetable seedlings producing cabbages, carrots, tomatoes, and peppers were produced to generate revenue for the school.
Paradis des Indiens
Access to water, especially clean water, in rural areas is a challenge and likely a daily chore for many in Haiti. For many children, the task to fetch water miles away from their homes has been found to have a significant impact on student attendance and achievement (Gordon et al., p.27, retrieved at Child Poverty in the Developing World). Micro-investments and interventions such as the work which Paradis des Indiens, a Haitian association in the rural areas of Grand-Anse, has been proven to make a difference in the lives of children in similar context. Thanks to funding from the Digicel Foundation, Paradis des Indiens is making it possible for more than 3,300 children in 11 schools gain access to water, being a catalyst for change in rural communities and reversing social and health development trends in such places. Thus far, 4 wells have been installed and 7 more are underway.
Special Olympics
The Special Olympics has had a presence in Haiti for a very long time. Its hard work and dedication to Haitian individuals with intellectual disabilities to qualify at world-class sporting activity paid off both on and off the field! The Digicel Foundation’s support to the Special Olympics enabled 300 athletes to train and to receive equipment needed for the 2011 qualification meets and the games in Athens, Greece. This summer, six athletes qualified and participated. “I cannot find the words to thank the Digicel which has contributed greatly to this travel” reported Jean Chevalier Sanon, National Director of Special Olympics Committee of Haiti (retrieved, Haiti Libre, 06.23.2011).
The Special Olympics has had a presence in Haiti for a very long time. Its hard work and dedication to Haitian individuals with intellectual disabilities to qualify at world-class sporting activity paid off both on and off the field! The Digicel Foundation’s support to the Special Olympics enabled 300 athletes to train and to receive equipment needed for the 2011 qualification meets and the games in Athens, Greece. This summer, six athletes qualified and participated.Paradis des Indiens
