For fourth anniversary…
DIGICEL, in observance of its fourth anniversary in Guyana and of Valentine’s Day, had, up to yesterday, given away a total of $8.5M, to customers and four families. One of the beneficiaries, Leslyn Williams, 31, a mother of seven, whose dilapidated house had collapsed during a heavy rain downpour, received $2M to rebuild.
The single parent told the media she is very grateful for the monetary assistance.
She is staying with neighbours who acknowledged her plight but has been pleading with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
However, she was loud in praise for Minister Priya Manickchand, who recommended her to Digicel.
Williams said the conditions in her home were deplorable before neighbours rescued her and also  her children ages 15, 14, 10, 9, 8, 6 and 4 years old.
Representatives of the Community Development Council (CDC), Mr. Don Sullivan and Chairperson, Ms. Negla Garraway were pleased with the ministry and Digicel for the assistance given Williams, noting that she has had a difficult time caring for her children, alone, since her male partner died.
Because of ill health, Williams is unable to do much to support her children and, consequently, is receiving public assistance through the ministry.
Williams, who resides at Bare Root, East Coast Demerara, is aiming to reconstruct her house with assistance from the community.
She said that life for her has been difficult while caring for the children unassisted and many days there was nothing to eat in the home. The Digicel surprise moved her to tears.
Digicel Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Gregory Dean, told the Guyana Chronicle that, in all, the company intends to donate $10M, the rest was supposed to have been distributed last night, for Valentine’s Giveaway to customers.

Something different
He explained that, this year, for the anniversary, the utility wanted to do something different and decided to meet the people being assisted rather than do it through various charities.
Meeting them yesterday was a better story for them, Dean said, pointing out that persons were selected on the  basis of referrals by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
He said, for the four years in Guyana, Digicel has had successes in reaching far-flung areas where they installed several solar panel sites and is presently providing cellular coverage for 95 per cent of the country.
Dean said the company is very pleased it came here and is certainly happy with certain investments, although there is still no liberalisation of the market, which remains a challenge for Digicel.
Another single parent of four children, Savtrii Singh, of Lot 29 Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown, received $500,000.
The woman said she is very happy for the assistance and will put the money to good use.
Singh said she suffers ill health, had surgery last year and is expecting to undergo one more for thyroid. She said, during the day, she begs the public to help to send her children to school.
Digicel Public Relations Manager, Ms. Shonnett Moore, said Singh was recommended by community members who saw her desperate situation.
Keron Accra, 13, of Lot 943 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, got $1M and his mother, Sandy Accra received the cheque for her son who was at school.
Witnessing the presentation was Ms. Ann Greene, from the ministry which had cared Keron for three years before he reunited with his mother and four siblings. They all live in a modest house void of the basic necessities and furniture and the money is to furnish the place and assist them otherwise.
Last week Friday, Krishna Sohanlall, 15, of Patentia, also on West Bank Demerara, got a donation of $1M towards his heart surgery in India.
The radio giveaway for Valentine’s Day netted four customers $4M in as many segments after they answered their cellular phones, saying “I Love My Digicel,” between 09:00hrs and 13:00hrs on the 98.1 programme with Casual Armstrong.