IMPACT IMPACT IMPACT YOUR
VOLUME 1
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ISSUE 1
BIANNUAL
DIGEST
FROM
THE
VM
FOUNDATION
MARCH 2022
2021
in Review
The Social Enterprise in Secondary Schools Project
8 Questions with Our New CEO
Transform your Everyday.
Your Biannual Digest from the VM Foundation
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n this, our fourth year of operation, the VM Foundation continues to grow in its impact and influence and has distinguished itself as a brand that prioritises financial literacy, family relationships, and improving the quality of life of the whole individual. In 2021, as we did in 2020, we challenged ourselves to become more creative and innovative in introducing new initiatives and transforming our existing programmes to meet the emerging needs of our people throughout the pandemic. The year also saw a wealth of changes for the Foundation, not only as we found new means of reaching and improving lives, but we also welcomed our new CEO, Samantha Charles. (See page 11 for “Questions with Samantha” to get to know her a bit more). In the time since she has been here, Samantha, alongside our diligent Programme Administrator, Regina Owen, has already begun contributing her own unique
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experience, passion, and wisdom to the direction of the Foundation. Together, they have reviewed the Foundation’s activities, and have designed strategies to do even more to identify and tackle the issues that Jamaicans face. In 2022 and beyond, the Foundation aims to focus more on a developmental approach, less on solely sponsorship-based activities, and remains 100% vested in the mission to improve the quality of lives daily. This newsletter will present just a few of the programmes that the Foundation has embarked on lately and will give a preview of the upcoming transformational plans for the year ahead. As we enter 2022, it is our hope that this newsletter will leave our Team Members, VM Group Members and Clients, inspired by what the Foundation has been doing, encouraged by what it aims to do in the future, and motivated to volunteer, or contribute otherwise to its mission.
Handover of computers across Jamaica in our Refurbish for Change programme.
The Year in Review. What have we been up to? 1. Transforming Students’ Lives through the COVID-19 Pandemic – Refurbish for Change One of our newest projects, and proudest moments last year came with the introduction of the Refurbish for Change initiative. Observing how students’ lives had been upturned by the pandemic, we really wanted to prioritise youth and alleviate some of their challenges as creatively and as efficiently as we could. It is with this in mind that the Foundation partnered with the Group Information Communication Technology (ICT) Unit to assess, refurbish, and gift 139 laptops and computers to 17 institutions in need. This repurposing of devices speaks to one of our core values of accountability; maximising the well-being of Jamaicans with every dollar spent. Thanks to the sacrifices, kindness, and hard work of our Team Members in the ICT unit, about 5,000 students, teachers, and other individuals will have access to a most-needed resource. Principal of Jamaica College, Wayne Robinson, in receiving the computers remarked, “this has significantly helped the boys who live on campus to be able to access their online classes during school hours and have
“This has significantly helped the boys who live on campus to be able to access their online classes during school hours and have good machines with stable Internet access after school. Boys from all across the island live on the compound and we are happy that they have been afforded this opportunity by VM Foundation during this time.” Wayne Robinson Principal of Jamaica College
good machines with stable Internet access after school. Boys from all across the island live on the compound and we are happy that they have been afforded this opportunity by VM Foundation during this time.” 3
2. Transforming Students’ Lives through Social Enterprise - The Social Enterprise in Secondary Schools (SESS) Project Since the formation of the VM Foundation, we have actively focused on initiatives that will engage, motivate, and uplift youth in meaningful and sustainable ways. SESS is one such programme, through which we have, until 2021, partnered with the British Council and the Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY). This programme is the epitome of the vision and core values of the VM Foundation, and by extension, the VM Group, to “advance the welfare and financial well-being of Jamaicans”. SESS was designed specifically to increase students’ knowledge of social innovation and entrepreneurship, while also developing core skills for learning, life, and work. SESS has engaged more than 10,000 students and 15 schools, and has reached thousands more through broadcasts, brochures, and the 2nd annual summit held in March 2021 under the theme “Partnering to Accelerate Education”. In one report on the success of the SESS-J, the British Council reported: “They [the students] also see social enterprise as an avenue for young people to bring about social change.”
This was supported by one of the SESS club participants who said, “I learnt what a social enterprise is and how to set up social enterprises. Which is finding the problem in your community and looking for solutions to address these problems. I also learn how to do well in these circumstances. It changed me because before I would not include myself in the problem or finding the solutions, as I thought I was a child, and these matters are to be dealt with by adults. But now I know that I have ideas regardless of my age, and that these ideas can assist to solve the problems.” 4
Students from Guys Hill High School work on the social enterprise project.
“I learnt what a social enterprise is and how to set up social enterprises. Which is finding the problem in your community and looking for solutions to address these problems. I also learn how to do well in these circumstances. It changed me because before I would not include myself in the problem or finding the solutions, as I thought I was a child, and these matters are to be dealt with by adults. But now I know that I have ideas regardless of my age, and that these ideas can assist to solve the problems.” In the words of a female club member
Second annual SESS submit held virtually in March 2021.
This testimony is just one of the reasons that the VM Foundation has taken the decision to fully continue to transform the SESS. We are thrilled to formally announce that the VM Foundation has been granted a non-exclusive, irrevocable licence to continue this programme. The methodology initially used in implementing the programme was handed over to the Foundation and gives us an opportunity to transform the programme even further. As a result of this new development, going into 2022, SESS will be re-branded as VM EnRich, and will be bolstered through continued partnership with the MOEY to integrate the
programme in schools. We envision this programme growing to be one of the Foundation’s flagship programmes, truly encompassing our focus on equipping and enriching youth. We are extremely ambitious about the revised scope and new plans previewed. We aim to standardise training delivery and material, and develop a business and individual mentorship component. Our aim for this transformation is to encourage students to become rich in social enterprise and in knowledge, with emphasis on the community.
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3. Education Transformation: Scholarships and Donations As you know, supporting education is one of the main priorities of the VM Foundation, and has been a priority for the Group for more than 30 years. We believe that improving self through education is key to improving one’s quality of life. Our investments in education range from scholarships, bursaries, and grants for high-performing students, to donations to schools for fundraising initiatives or other critical improvement projects. Last year, our lives continued to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of special concern to us was the unmeasured, negative impacts on students. It is with this concern in mind and at heart that the Foundation decided in 2020 to supplement our scholarship awards with laptop and tablet donations to student recipients. We decided to roll over this initiative for our 2021 awardees. In 2021, the VM Foundation provided
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J$3.85 million in scholarships to 52 students, and as a surprise, we also collectively gifted 49 tablets and 5 laptops. Students and parents were overwhelmed with gratitude and joy when they received the additional donations. We still fondly remember the emails and emotional phone calls from parents and relatives after the devices were handed over. This outpouring of love and thanks from parents was irrefutably one of our most memorable and heart-warming moments last year. Truly, our mission has been accomplished. In the future, the Foundation will not only provide financial assistance to recipients but will also add value to students through mentorship and the creation of healthy, sustainable relationships. This aligns with another of the Foundation’s core values — empowerment. We recognise that our social responsibility toward beneficiaries includes providing desirable opportunities for personal and organisational growth. This is one of the Foundation’s key priorities, and forms part of our commitment for 2022 and beyond.
VM Foundation 2021 Scholarship Awardees
Courtney Campbell, President and CEO of the VM Group and Chairman of the VM Foundation handing an award to Justin Stoney for his achievement as a bursary recipient of the VM Foundation.
Shanique Bailey, a 2021 scholarship recipient of the Future Plan scholarship.
Samantha Charles, CEO – VM Foundation handing over an award to Aleshanee Jefferson who was the 2021 Surrey recipient of the Junior Plan Scholarship.
Future plan scholarship awardees share a moment with our VM Group Executives. (L - R) Eby Nelson, Kaya Stoney, Courtney Campbell, President and CEO - VM Group and Chairman - VM Foundation, Samantha Charles, CEO – VM Foundation, Kamala Brown and Olivia Williams.
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Donations
Donation to Faith and Hope Deliverance Church On May 4, 2021, the VM Foundation donated five tablets to students of the Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town communities, through the Faith and Hope Deliverance Church, to aid in their online schooling as part of the company’s recognition of Education Week. At centre is Sophia Lewis – Assistant Manager, Group Corporate Affairs and Communications of the VM Group, demonstrating to the students - (from left) Jonathan Mais, Tabiyake Chambers, Sunjai Kirkpatrick, Jayda-Kaye Johnson and Tahirah Brown, how to utilize the device.
Samantha Charles, CEO – VM Foundation presenting a cheque of $150,000 to Kecia Taylor, President, Rotary Club of St. Andrew North. The VM Foundation in partnership with VM Pensions Management provided financial support to purchase computer equipment along with clothing items to the Rotary Club of St. Andrew North in support of their initiative to provide assistance to the Domestic Violence Shelter 3 under the Bureau of Gender Affairs. 8
Donation to Jamaica College Naketa West, former Manager - VM Foundation (left), Matthew Malcolm, Fourth Form Student and dormitory resident (centre) and Wayne Robinson, Principal, Jamaica College (right). The VM Foundation in partnership with the Group ICT donated twenty (20) all-in-one Computers to Jamaica College under their Refurbished for Change initiative. The Principal, Wayne Robinson, is grateful for the computers which will be placed on the dormitory for the students as they navigate virtual school.
Donation to Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf The VM Foundation in partnership with the Fairview Branch-VMBS through the assistance of the Unicomer (Jamaica) Ltd donated a laptop to the Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf to assist Antonecia Jeffrey, student of the institution in her CSEC preparations. From l-r is, Andrea Arscott-Allen, Fairview Branch Manager - VMBS, Antonecia Jeffrey, Student - Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf and Dian Thompson, Principal – Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf.
Donation to Food for the Poor Samantha Charles, CEO – VM Foundation (right) handing over a cheque of $100,000 to Kivette Silvera, Executive Director – Food For The Poor Jamaica (left) and Marsha Burrell-Rose, Development and Marketing Manager – Food For The Poor Jamaica (center). The VM Foundation supported the Food for the Poor’s Race for Hunger as an Impact Sponsor. Through the support of the VM Foundation and other impact sponsors, families across the Caribbean and Latin America will be supplied with basic food and hygiene packages to assist in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 9
Dr. Carl Bruce, Medical Chief of Staff of the University Hospital of the West Indies (left) and Samantha Charles, CEO of the VM Foundation (right) sharing a moment after commencing a walk-through of the newly built field hospital situated at the University Hospital of the West Indies. The VM Foundation was one of the Private Sector partners which made a financial contribution to the total cost of $50,000,000 which aided in the care and treatment of COVID-19 patents.
Dr. Carl Bruce, Medical Chief of Staff of the University Hospital of the West Indies (left) and Samantha Charles, CEO of the VM Foundation (centre) and Christopher Barnes, Chief Operating Officer of the RJR Gleaner Communications Group Ltd (right). The RJR Gleaner Communications Group Ltd. spearheaded the private sector initiative which saw the VM Foundation making a financial donation towards the total of $50 million. The field hospital that was erected at the University Hospital of the West Indies aided in the care and treatment of COVID-19 patients; this houses over 40 patients to assist in alleviating the overcrowded spaces of the hospital. 10
L-r is Samantha Charles, CEO – VM Foundation (left), Dr. Carl Bruce, Medical Chief of Staff - University Hospital of the West Indies, Professor Michael Boyne, Head of Department, Medicine - University Hospital of the West Indies, and Dr. Kelvin Metalor, Head of Department, Anaesthesia & Intensive Care University Hospital of the West Indies. The VM Foundation was one of the Private Sector partners which made a financial contribution to the total cost of $50,000,000 which aided in the care and treatment of COVID-19 patents at the newly erected field hospital at the University Hospital of the West Indies.
4. One-one cocoa full basket – Transforming lives, one basket at a time In addition to these student-centred initiatives, the VM Foundation donated close to J$3.2 million in small grants and kind donations to a total of 22 special interest groups, associations, and institutions. Roughly half of the beneficiaries or projects were education related, and the majority of remaining projects benefited various health causes. Overall, 1,787 lives were directly impacted, with countless others receiving indirect support from these initiatives. The largest donation for the period was made to the University Hospital of the West Indies in support of the COVID-19 fight. Thanks in part to this donation of roughly J$1.78 million in September, a field hospital was built to accommodate the overflow related to the increase in the number of COVID-19 patients. In early 2021, the Foundation also partnered with Food for the Poor to donate $100,000 to its programme ‘Race for Hunger’. As an impact sponsor,
the VM Foundation provided funding, which was used to purchase food and hygiene packages for families in Latin America and the Caribbean who are most vulnerable and among the worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our newest special seasonal initiative, 12 treats of Christmas, was a superb success. This year, we wanted to do something different to spread the Christmas cheer to those in need. It is with this in mind that the VM Foundation partnered with all VMBS branches to treat 12 children’s homes or special groups. We wanted to give the branches opportunities to share gifts and Christmas cheer to causes that they cherished most. Each individual in each home received a gift, thanks to our remarkable Team Members. We take this opportunity to thank those Team Members who volunteered in this and other projects, and those who, out of the kindness and goodness of their hearts, donated time and resources to ensuring that lives are positively transformed. We also wish to encourage Team Members to continue supporting the Foundation in whichever way possible as we work together to transform lives. 11
What’s happening next with the Foundation? The Under-13 football programme unfortunately continues to be on hold because of the ongoing pandemic, but we hope to return bigger and better soon under the new name “VM UpLift”. The anticipated re-launch of this programme will see it expanded to deliver more on its commitment to youth development. This expansion will include increasing the cadre of sports included, upskilling of coaches, and a renewing of the health and life skills component. Mark your calendars so that you can plan to volunteer at these upcoming events.
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Month
Upcoming Event
February
VM IgKnight
March
Adopt a Clinic Session, EnRich
April
UpLift, Scholarship Applications Open
May
Read Across Jamaica Day, VM Foundation/St. James Under-13 Football Competition
June
Adopt-a-Clinic Session, Scholarship Application Close
August
Scholarship Interviews
September
VM IgKnight, Adopt-a-Clinic Session, EnRich
November
Parenting Webinar Series
December
Christmas Project, Adopt-aClinic Session, Scholarship Awards
Have you met our new CEO?
8 Questions with Samantha Charles 1. Why did you decide to join the VM Foundation family? A combination of things … I went through a period of introspection and after working in both the private and public sectors, I realised that the work I was doing needed to have more meaning. I needed to come home knowing that I’d done something positive for someone else. It was also a personal objective of mine to work within an environment where I was able to give back – make a difference every day. My current role with the Foundation feels like a perfect match of making inspiring and impactful change in the quality of lives of people. That’s my ‘why’. 2. What makes you excited to begin working every day? I see it as an opportunity to make a difference. When you’re in that role, it’s an awesome responsibility, and that in itself is
motivational. Every day I ask myself, ‘how can I make a difference? How can I create this new initiative? How can I be innovative? How can I work in these COVID times?’ That has definitely been a challenging transition. I imagined that this role would include meeting a lot of school children and persons in need, having them running around me, accepting gifts and hugs. You really get to see impact when you get to feel and touch the people you’re impacting. In everything that I do, I’m very conscious of trying to start it from a position of love. I’m all about encompassing myself with positive energy and positive vibes and bringing peace wherever I go. That requires me to send out 13
love, and to do everything in love. This reminds me of 1 Corinthians, chapter 13 vs 13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 3. What has been your most memorable moment with the VM Foundation so far? Wow! There have been quite a few! I recently did a parenting webinar. The whole concept was very memorable to me, primarily because I worked with a lot of amazing individuals who spoke so fulsomely and expertly on topics that could help parents navigate this pandemic in dealing with their children. I remember the day of filming, I realised I was going to be hosting for the first time. I had to dig deep in myself to find this person who was now a host. I was thrilled! 4. What brings you peace? Anything that I am doing with my children, oh my God! My three girls are my pride and joy- and by extension, my family, and my very supportive friends whom I’ve known since we were 10/11 in first form at Immaculate. I would not be much without them. Also, I meditate, I believe in manifestations and positive energy. I am a guardian of my boundaries. I do not allow negative energy to penetrate. 5. What do you do when you aren’t transforming lives? I volunteer with Special Olympics Jamaica. I have a daughter with Down’s Syndrome who has made me travel all over the world. I’ve been to Greece, Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Taiwan, Hong Kong, all because of Rachael. She swam for Jamaica and is a bronze medal Olympic medallist. Wow, I’m the mother of an Olympic champion! I also love reading and I love dancing. If not for COVID, I’d probably be out at a party with good music, good people, and good vibes. I would be travelling- that’s my all-time love. I’m a beach girl! Before COVID, I don’t think there was a weekend that you couldn’t catch us all at the beach. I’d have a book reading or just chilling, soaking it all in-the beauty of Jamaica, the people, the vistas, – I’m so blessed to be able to 14
experience this. 6. Who is your all-time favourite performer and if you could choose one artiste to perform at a VM charity function, who would it be? I have a few! My all-time favourite performer is Céline Dion. I also love Protoje and Chronixx! I’ve been to every Protoje concert, and I remember having a really good time stage-front at the Chronixx concert. I am also a huge Beres fan. I would probably invite him to a charity function because he is such a crowd pleaser. He has an amazing catalogue of songs with great clean lyrics, and he straddles generations! His music resonates with a wide cross-section. It would be surely oversubscribed, and I believe everyone would be satisfied, no matter the age. 7. The holiday season has just ended, and the Team Members want to know… what are your ‘must haves’ for Christmas dinner? Hmm, this is interesting because I don’t eat meat. I must have some sorrel. It’s not Christmas dinner without it, so it must be there! Oh, and a good fish – escoveitched. I love fried fish from Hellshire. In the days when I used to eat meat, it would have been a good Christmas roast chicken. I also must have gungo peas rice and peas. I love fresh green gungo peas. I’d always do a good mac and cheese. My kids love my pasta! I do a really good mac and cheese – not the powdered one – but with about three different cheeses and my sister’s Christmas cake – it’s the best! 8. What do you look forward to most about 2022? The behind of 2020 and 2021. HAHA! Plus, oodles of goodness and gratitude. I’m looking forward to lots of hope and positivity about VM, Jamaica, the world. I’m looking forward to bringing a lot of good change, inspiring change to the VM Foundation and the Group. I’m also looking forward to a kinder, more compassionate world, bringing hope peace and prosperity. I’m hoping for a much better year – certainly not what we went through for 2020 or 2021.
Twelve Treats of Christmas 2021 highlights
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Twelve Treats of Christmas 2021 highlights
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