Digicel Foundation Donates School Supplies to Special Needs Students
By: , August 22, 2023
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (third right, front row), Digicel Education and Special Needs Project Officer, Jeneard Williamson (third left, front row), and Early Stimulation Programme Director, Antonica Gunter-Gayle (right, back row), are joined by students of Stimulation Plus Child Development Centre and their parents. The occasion was a handover ceremony for school supplies donated by Digicel Foundation on Monday (August 21).
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., delivers remarks during the handover ceremony for school supplies donated by Digicel Foundation at Stimulation Plus Child Development Centre on Hanover Street in downtown Kingston on Monday (August 21).
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), presents special needs student Delano Clarke (centre) with school supplies donated by Digicel Foundation at Stimulation Plus Child Development Centre on Hanover Street in downtown Kingston on Monday (August 21). Sharing in the presentation is Digicel Education and Special Needs Project Officer, Jeneard Williamson.
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), joins in the presentation of school supplies donated by Digicel Foundation to special needs student Kaliegh Ellis (centre), at Stimulation Plus Child Development Centre on Hanover Street in downtown Kingston on Monday (August 21). Handing over the supplies is Digicel Education and Special Needs Project Officer, Jeneard Williamson.The Full Story
Eighty-eight students enrolled in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s Early Stimulation Programme (ESP) have been assisted in their preparations for the 2023/24 academic year with the provision of school supplies from Digicel Foundation.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Stimulation Plus Child Development Centre on Hanover Street in downtown Kingston on Monday (August 21), Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said partnerships are key to creating the best foundation for special needs children.
“This donation will not only ease the financial burden on the parents of these children as they prepare for the new school year, but I think, beyond that, I speak on behalf of the parents in saying that it resonates more than just financial support. It shows that there are persons who care, and that you are not in this alone,” Minister Charles shared.
Digicel Foundation Communications and Digital Media Officer, Kedisha Clarke, said the annual donation of school supplies is one facet of the organisation’s long-standing relationship with the Early Stimulation Programme.
Ms. Clarke shared that each school bag provided contains books, crayons, rulers, sharpeners and other stationery supplies. The school supplies will be shared equally between ESP Kingston and Portland.
“ESP is a haven of hope. ESP not only provides educational opportunities for these children but also a nurturing environment,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, ESP Director, Antonica Gunter-Gayle, expressed gratitude on behalf of the students and parents, noting that Digicel Foundation has forged a “tremendous partnership” with the institution.
“Over the years, oh my goodness, they have really blessed us! When you talk about training – parent training, staff training – centres, buildings, school supplies, it’s Digicel Foundation,” Mrs. Gunter-Gayle said.
Established in 1975, the ESP is an early intervention programme which caters to young children up to six years old, with developmental disabilities.
It operates from four centres – two in the Kingston Metropolitan Region, and one each in Portland and St. James.
Services include clinical assessments, physical and speech therapy, parent counselling and parenting workshops.