Happy 20th Anniversary Digicel‼️

Denis O'Brien with children at Stella Maris Foundation - it was with the assistance of Digicel Foundation that Stella Maris was able to purchase their headquarters. 

Today is also Mr O'Brien's Birthday - bless his generous heart.

except from Jamaica Observer column published 19 April 2021

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

I remember the evening of April 19, 2001 when after months of planning, Marketing Manager Harry Smith and I were going over the programme for the Launch of Digicel at the Pegasus Hotel.

"Oh my Lord Harry," I exclaimed. "We don't have 'Prayer' on the Programme!" 

"Alright," said Harry, "If you write it, I will say it." I wrote the words purposefully, asking God for His blessing on this brave new company. I believe God heard us, and indeed that through His grace, Digicel Chairman Denis O'Brien became the answer to many prayers.

Overnight, even the humblest Jamaican could afford a phone. Micro-businesses could restock easily, live-in household workers could stay connected to their families, seniors could call for assistance in emergencies.

 It was exciting to attend the launch of Digicel in Trinidad, Barbados and Haiti, and to see the energy of the teams including our own Jamaicans rolling out the networks in the 32 countries in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific.

The Digicel Foundation was launched in 2004, and has funded islandwide projects for education, special needs and community development to the tune of over $60 billion. The most moving area of its operations has been the building of special needs schools which ensure that no matter what learning challenges our children face, they are given a chance to achieve their full potential. In addition to Jamaica, Digicel Foundations have been established in Haiti, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad & Tobago, and have contributed to positive outcomes for over 3 million people to date.

 Denis O'Brien was inducted as an Honorary member of the Order of Jamaica and received the Honorary Doctorate from UWI in 2015. "The proudest part of all of that we have achieved over the years is that, as a company, we have our roots here in Jamaica," he said in his commencement speech to UWI graduates. "Without hesitation, Jamaica is the cornerstone of Digicel growth and development of all our 32 countries."

Here's wishing Digicel a happy 20th anniversary and many more great years.

Happy 30th Anniversary ESL

Milestone 'Earth Day' for ESL

excerpt from Observer column published 19 April 2021

Our environmental predicament is as serious as the social: our very existence is threatened by both. We are one of the many small island developing states (SIDS) worldwide which are vulnerable to the deterioration of our environment. Global warming may lead to rising seas that may obliterate our shorelines – consider the loss of our business districts, airports and resort areas. It pains me to see the thoughtless use of plastics in developed countries while we are here trying to do our part.

I remember our friend Professor Trevor Jackson of blessed memory remarking that Eleanor Jones would have been a Professor of Geology if she had not given up her position as a UWI Lecturer to start her business. Eleanor relates that she had attended several conferences on environmental issues and decided exactly 30 years ago that it was time to stop talking about problems and begin to address them, thus founding her company, Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL).

The company's mission, "to harmonize development with environmentally sustainable practices through the application of science, and standards of excellence", has been invaluable to the built environment here and throughout the Caribbean. The company's anniversary coincides with Earth Day 2021 to be celebrated this Thursday. ESL will mark the occasion with climate action, environmental health in schools, reforestation and webinars.  

Eleanor Jones reflects, "What a joy it is to have come this far and to have inspired many professionals, public and private sector leaders, and civil society; to have contributed to the design and construction of environmentally sound projects in road, seaport, airport, sanitation, water supply and energy infrastructure, housing and resort development! To have championed international certification for health and analytical services in chemistry and microbiology." Congratulations to Eleanor and her 30-strong staff of top professionals.

Farewell Bunny Wailer

Excerpt from Observer column published March 8 2021

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

 

Bunny Wailer - photo from Jamaica Observer 

The passing of the great Bunny Wailer, born Neville O'Riley Livingston was noted far and wide in the global media. He was Bob Marley’s step-brother and together they endured poverty and honed their musical excellence to become with Peter Tosh, Junior Brathwaite and Beverly Kelso (believed to be the only surviving member of the group) the world-famous Wailers. My husband Hubie believes Bunny Wailer was the top singer of them all. He cited his memorable compositions ‘Cool Runnings’, ‘Ballroom Floor’ and ‘Rootsman Skanking’. We learned only last week from an Observer article quoting Marcia Griffiths, that it was Bunny Wailer who wrote “Electric Boogie” for her, the classic which inspired that joyful group dance, ‘Electric Slide’.

 His past year was a sad one, mourning his wife who went missing and was never found.

We give thanks that Bunny Wailer’s passing is not the end of the phenomenal Wailers – their art will endure for generations to come. Our condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.