Digicel recently handed over more than $11 million to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre (PRRC), Help and Shelter and Lifeline Counselling for refurbishing of the buildings utilised by these organizations.
The gesture by Digicel was in recognition of National Disability Week, November 24 to December 2, 2013, International day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and World AIDS Day.
At a brief press conference, held at Digicel’s Head Office, its Head of Marketing Jacqueline James, said that Digicel has been
involved in the lives of the children of the PRRC for a number of years. She added that the company was approached by Rehabilitation Officer at PRRC Cynthia Massay concerning the refurbishing of the building which houses the PRRC and Digicel saw it as an opportunity to give back to the people of Guyana.
She said that during the month of September, Digicel handed over $1 million in aid of refurbishing the children’s dining room at the PRRC.
The final stage of the project between Digicel and PRRC, is the resurfacing of the entire exterior of the building. However, James said that there will also be minor interior works as well.
Massay thanked Digicel for its continued support. She said Digicel has always been a supporter of the PRRC, since it was established in Guyana in 2006.
Massay added that renovations to PRRC’s dining room had stagnated until Digicel donated $1 million in September. During the press conference, Massay said that Digicel had donated over $7 million to PRRC to aid in the rehabilitation of its wooden structure.
Works are expected to commence early next January and to last for a period of four months.
When asked whether the rehabilitation of the building will impact on the 94 children who attend nursery, primary and day care classes at the centre and the six children who permanently reside there, Massay said that the only phase of the project that’s expected to have a minute interference is the rehabilitation of the floors. She added that the PRRC has put measures in place to avoid any disruption of its daily activities.
Denise Dias, Chairperson at Help and Shelter, said that the organisation received over $4 million to refurbish its centre, which has not seen any repairs for over 17 years. She thanked Digicel for its support to Help and Shelter. Margaret Kertzious, Help and Shelter’s Coordinator said that while they are thankful for Digicel’s support, the organisation has not received any donations for a long time to aid in the Public Educational Outreach Programme. She felt that poor funding for the programme has hindered the centre’s ability to reach out to the public.
Kertzious said that while they receive funding from the European Union (EU) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), because of the global financial crises, aid from foreign organisations has drastically decreased.
James said that Digicel wants to ensure that persons (especially women) at Help and Shelter have access to self-improvement tools, since often times, women tend to venture back into an abusive relationship because they are unable to sustain themselves.
Kertzious, also made it a point to state that the number of men going to Help and Shelter has increased over the years, with 98 men attending the facility last year.
Persons who are victims of domestic violence are urged to call 227-3454/225-4731 to get assistance from Help and Shelter.
A cheque for an undisclosed amount was also handed over to officials from Lifeline Counselling by Digicel.
