Children from the Ecole St Patrick primary school in Cite Soleil

Furthermore, the Foundation is ensuring that the schools will be sustained over the next three years through a network of strategic community partnerships, which include partnerships with the Ministry of National Education and individual NGOs.

Denis O'Brien, patron of the Digicel Haiti Foundation and Chairman of Digicel Group, visited the poverty stricken neighborhood of Cité Soleil to officially open the Ecole St. Patrick primary school. The Foundation will continue to dedicate itself to the development of Education in Haiti.

"The building of the 20 primary schools we hope will have a tremendous role in uplifting community spirit and inspiring new hope for children who are ultimately the future of Haiti. The Digicel Haiti Foundation is determined to make a difference and play a positive role in people's lives and this is our way of saying 'Thank You' for the incredible warm welcome and support we have received from the people of Haiti," O'Brien said.

The Digicel Haiti Foundation has worked with the Ministry for National Education and a number of NGOs to implement a food programme, which provides each child with hot daily meals and a teacher training programme to ensure each child has access to a quality education.

Patron of the Digicel Haiti Foundation and Chairman of Digicel Group

"Partnerships are a key contributor to the success and sustainability of the Digicel Haiti Foundation. As we continue to grow in Haiti so will our ties to our communities, which will foster even stronger and more effective partnerships," O'Brien added.

He also commended CEO of the Digicel Haiti Foundation Josefa Gauthier for her strong leadership, passion and commitment to ensuring the goal of building 20 primary schools was met within the Foundation's first year.

According to Gauthier, "When we were first given the task of building 20 primary schools in one year we knew that there would be major challenges to overcome as we were working in the most disadvantaged and isolated areas of the country. However, the warm welcome of the communities, the joy of the children and the light of hope in their eyes helped us overcome any obstacles. We have achieved a lot in one year but there is even more to achieve as we help to build a better Haiti."

The Digicel Haiti Foundation was established in March 2007, just ten months following the successful launch of Digicel in Haiti in May 2006.

Digicel Haiti recorded a milestone of 1.8 million customers in September 2007 and directly employs 650 staff members. Digicel Haiti has invested more than US$260 million in Haiti, representing the largest ever corporate investment made by an international company.

Haiti is now ranking 146th of the 177 countries in the United Nation's Human Development Index, and is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

The education sector in Haiti is characterized by weak state capacity to provide and regulate education services. With an adult literacy rate of 52% and a primary school enrollment rate of 67%, education remains a key obstacle to social and economic progress.

Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become the fastest growing wireless telecommunications operator in the Caribbean. After seven years, Digicel is renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services, and state-of-the-art handsets. It is the largest GSM operator in the region.

By offering innovative wireless services and community support, Digicel has become a leading brand in the Caribbean and has placed the region at the cutting edge of wireless communications.

Photo 2:Patron of the Digicel Haiti Foundation and Chairman of Digicel Group Mr Denis O'Brien with President of the Haiti Committee on Education, Senator Ivan Buessereth at the opening of the Ecole St Patrick primary school in Cite Soleil, Port Au Prince, Haiti to mark the first year anniversary of the Digicel Haiti Foundation. The Digicel Haiti Foundation has delivered on its promise of building and furnishing 20 primary schools across Haiti while also putting in place a food programme for every child and teacher training and remuneration.

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