The Digicel Foundation celebrated its parent telecommunications company’s 22nd anniversary of operations in Jamaica by donating Braille machines to the Salvation Army School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

The machines, valued at almost J$500,000, were handed over to students and staff on Wednesday (April 19) at the school’s Mannings Hill Road location in St Andrew.

Charmaine Daniels, CEO of Digicel Foundation, said the donation was made in honor of the company’s anniversary, and to promote access to education for people with disabilities.

“The work that you do is so impactful and I know sometimes it gets hard because you may not have all the resources you need. We are inspired by the students who attend this institution because they face so many challenges but they persevere,” she said.

The principal of the Salvation Army School, Iyeke Erharuyi, expressed gratitude for the donation.

“We are always writing letters to corporate companies, requesting assistance to purchase Braille machines. However, Digicel Foundation, without us even asking, donated these machines to us. We are grateful,” said Erharuyi.

The school currently has 132 students but only 26 Braille machines are in use.

The Salvation Army School for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides education and support to visually impaired and blind children in Jamaica. The school’s administration expressed appreciation for Digicel Foundation’s support and commitment to helping children with special needs.