In order to prepare Haitian athletes’ next participation in the up and coming Paralympic games, the Digicel Foundation renewed its contract, with the Special Olympics National Committee and gave them a donation of more than 2 million gourdes.

Wanting to contribute to the fight for the social inclusion of children and teenagers presenting a physical and/or intellectual impairment, the Digicel Foundation has established, for more than 4 years, a partnership with the Special Olympics National Committee. Thanks to this support, the national committee will be able to carry out a program aiming at initiating, developing and perfecting athletes’ technical skills in sporting disciplines such as track and field, basketball, soccer, table tennis, etc...

In accordance with its sporting development program, Haiti’s Special Olympics National Committee recently launched an ambitious program all across the country reaching nearly 800 children of both sexes suffering from physical and/or intellectual impairment. This plan’s objective is to continue with organizing each year the Paralympic National Day and especially Haitian athletes’ participation in the next autumn World Paralympic Games which will take place in 2015 in Los Angeles.

Commenting on the renewal of this contract, Jean Sanon Chevalier, President of the Special Olympics National Committee stated that "we are at a loss for words to show our gratitude towards the Digicel Foundation for so much generosity. Each day, National Committee works tirelessly in order to offer hundreds of young people suffering from physical and/or intellectual impairment the necessary support and guidance so that they can develop their aptitudes even more."

"The Digicel Foundation is very glad to have been able to contribute to this noble activity which thoroughly translates Digicel’s vision which consist of getting involved in helping the Haitian population and working together with them day in fulfilling their goals. [...] we do not have any doubt that they will work hard in order to inspire the entire country once more" as stated by the Executive Director of the Digicel Foundation, Sophia Stransky.

As a socially responsible company, Digicel firmly believes in the integration of people presenting physical and/or intellectual impairments. Indeed, the Digicel head office building in Turgeau was especially designed to allow access for disabled people. Moreover, Digicel hired several employees presenting physical impairments, whether it be within General Management with Bernard Yacoub, the technical department’s manager, or amongst regular employees with David Rosenthal, a young athlete having participated in the Paralympic Games of 2006, who has been working in Digicel’s finance department since 2007.

HL/ HaitiLibre