Digicel Foundation annual report launched

Chairman for Digicel Group and Patron of Digicel Foundation, Denis O’Brien, launched the annual report for Digicel PNG Foundation for the 2018/19 Financial Year in the presence of the Board and staff of the Foundation.

The Annual Report captures all the achievements of Digicel Foundation through its Community Empowerment programs and projects all across Papua New Guinea for the last Financial Year from April 2018 to March 2019.

Commenting on the mandate of the Foundation, O’Brien said: “At Digicel, our ethos is that as our company grows, so too must the communities that we operate in; so we’re all about helping to create a world where no one gets left behind.

“With our 2018/2019 Annual Report showing the impact of the work that has been done over the last decade of the Foundation’s existence, our commitment to our communities has never been greater. I would like to thank our Foundation Board and staff for their dedication and the people of PNG for allowing us to partner with them to help forge a positive future.”

From small and humble beginnings, rural and remote communities have seen Digicel’s investment bear fruit throughout the country with 433 projects that have improved educational and health outcomes for up to 863,500 direct beneficiaries in PNG. This is a total investment, at the close of the financial year, of K76.46 million.

Digicel PNG Foundation CEO, Serena Sasingian, thanked O’Brien for his generosity through his philanthropy, to give back to the people of Papua New Guinea.

“Digicel has funded our work over the last 11 years. Mr. O’Brien’s decision to continue financing the Foundation has enabled us to touch the lives of Papua New Guinea citizens, offering an opportunity to better their lives.”

The Foundation CEO added that Digicel Foundation works on a hand-up approach as opposed to a hand-out approach and will continue to do so to ensure the value of investments in the communities is reaped.

Digicel Foundation recently launched a new program, ‘Leadership for Change Community Grants’, a micro grants scheme that will enable local NGO and other organisations to apply for funding for up to K50,000.

Digicel Foundation’s focuses on improving access to basic health and education services with side WASH component, community empowerment focused on youth and women, programs for special needs and addressing violence.

Author: 
Press release