Digicel has proudly joined the national recovery movement as the official telecommunications partner for the ‘I Love Jamaica Telethon’, a major fundraising event organised by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (MCGES) in support of communities severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

The Telethon is scheduled for Sunday, November 23, at the National Indoor Sports Centre at the National Stadium Complex, and forms part of the wider I Love Jamaica Concert Series led by Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange.

With a fundraising target of US $1 million, the telethon will mobilise Jamaica’s entertainment industry, diaspora, corporate sector and global supporters to assist with rebuilding homes, schools, community centres and essential infrastructure across the hardest hit parishes. The event will feature top Jamaican entertainers, live national broadcast, a celebrity call centre and uplifting stories from affected communities.

As the event’s leading communication provider, Digicel will deliver full connectivity and communications support to ensure the Telethon operates smoothly and reaches audiences at home and abroad. A major feature of the event is the live call centre, where donors will phone in their contributions.

Digicel will equip and power this space with mobile devices, dedicated text, WhatsApp and fixed line systems, along with free calls and messages to all donation lines. During the broadcast, Jamaican sprint legends Usain Bolt, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce and Asafa Powell will support the call centre by answering calls from donors in real time. Digicel will also provide Wi Fi connectivity to support the live broadcast, streaming, production teams and on-site operations.

To support the delivery of seamless connectivity throughout the telethon, Digicel also recognises the contribution of ZeeWeb, which will provide additional framework support for the event’s connectivity needs free of cost. Their partnership helps strengthen the technical backbone required to keep the Telethon running smoothly.

Speaking at the event’s press briefing last Thursday, Stephen Murad, CEO of Digicel Jamaica, reflected on the significance of the partnership and the national moment it represents.

“Jamaica has always been defined by resilience and unity, and in times like these, that strength becomes even more visible. At Digicel, we believe that connectivity is more than technology; it is a lifeline that keeps people supported and informed. We are proud to power the Telethon and to stand with every Jamaican who is working to rebuild and recover after Hurricane Melissa. This partnership is about coming together, helping one another and contributing to the country’s journey back to stability and strength.”

The telethon will be broadcast live on TVJ, CVM and PBCJ, with digital simulcast on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok, reaching an estimated two to three million viewers worldwide. Jamaica’s leading legends, including Usain Bolt, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce and Asafa Powell, will support the call centre operations as donors pledge live on air.

As the country continues its journey of rebuilding, the telethon provides an opportunity for every Jamaican to play a part. The public is encouraged to tune in, donate and join the movement to help communities recover and return to strength. The public is encouraged to tune in, donate and help Jamaica rebuild.