-$2M donated to Lifeline Counseling Services and Hope Foundation
– Digicel’s Santa Claus spreads cheer to children directly affected by HIV/AIDS
CHIEF Executive Officer of the giant mobile operator, Digicel, Mr. Gregory Dean, yesterday visited the Bartica Offices of the Hope Foundation to hand over a cheque for $1 million dollars to support the efforts to assist persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Digicel CEO Gregory Dean and Hope Foundation Executive Director Ivor Melville stand with others near the new building sign presented to the Hope Foundation office in Bartica yesterday.

At the same time, Marketing and Communications Manager, Alea MacDonald, presented a cheque for $1 million dollars to Lifeline Counseling Services to support their efforts.

This is the third consecutive year that Digicel has made these contributions as part of the activities to mark World AIDS Day.

The Bartica-based Hope Foundation and the Lifeline Counseling services based in Georgetown continue to include care for orphans and vulnerable children in their efforts to assist infected and affected persons.

HIV/AIDS continues to threaten the stability and development of society because of the impact on the most productive category of persons of all nations.

Digicel has made the fight against this dreaded disease a top priority. During the visit to Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), CEO Dean urged everyone to join in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He said: “I take this opportunity to encourage communities as a whole to not only help support people living with AIDS but also to help children directly affected by HIV/AIDS. World AIDS day is not only about raising money, it is also about raising awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education.”

Gregory Dean also added that “Digicel continues to assist in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Digicel is committed to playing its role as a corporate citizen, and with our contribution more people will be able to get access to treatment and support they need.”

Lifeline Counseling Services Executive Director Bruce Whatley receives cheque from Digicel Marketing and Communications Manager Alea McDonald yesterday.

After accepting the Digicel cheque, Executive Director of Hope Foundation, Ivor Melville, promised to continue to provide nutritional support to infected and affected children and to heighten its awareness programmes in Region Seven and its environs.

The Hope Executive Director also noted that in addition to being World AIDS Day, it is the season of Christmas and a good time to receive the contribution and spread joy. “Today we express profound thanks to collaborating partner and sponsor Digicel in providing support to communities and care received for orphans and vulnerable children, and those who are HIV positive in Bartica. Through this tangible contribution of Digicel, several gaps which exist in services are being fulfilled,” Melville stated.

“Clients are provided with nutritional hampers, care packages for children being made orphans and vulnerable children due to HIV and AIDS this was well received with expressions of joy,” Melville added.

He continued: “Hope foundation expresses its profound appreciation to Digicel for the support received to make the lives of orphans and vulnerable children and HIV positive persons enriched with their blessings of compassion through funds made possible at the most significant time of year.”

In Georgetown, Executive Director of the Lifeline Counseling Services, Bruce Whatley spoke of the strides made through the partnership with Digicel. “With Digicel’s support, the organisation has been able to help many more people. We have also been able to increase the nutritional support for orphans and vulnerable children who are the country’s most valuable human resources and the ones most at risk.”

The children of the Lifeline Counseling Service Day Care also met Digicel’s Santa Claus who spent time with them at the centre. They were all eager to meet Santa as he shared sweets and other goodies among them.

In other comments to mark World AIDS Day, Digicel’s CEO emphasised that the “fight against this disease requires all resources and Digicel, being about technology and communications, is committing its resources to the cause. To receive details about local AIDS resources in Guyana, Digicel customers can text the word LIVEUP to 669-INFO (4636) free of charge, the company said in a statement.