REBIRTH HOUSE EMPOWERS RECOVERY WITH DIGITAL ACCESS
Wendy-Ann Wattie, Chair of Rebirth House Board (on the right), and Ryssa Brathwaite, Social Performance and Social Investment Advisor for Shell Trinidad and Tobago, test out the new computers at Rebirth House, as Digicel Foundation Director Trijata Maraj and Rebirth House Manager Aidan Thomas look on.
MONDAY 19 MAY 2025, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Rebirth House, a residential rehabilitation centre for individuals recovering from substance use disorder, now has a fully equipped computer lab to support the personal and professional development of its residents.
Rebirth House was among ten non-profit organisations selected in December 2024 to receive support under the EPIC (Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities) Grant programme, led by the Digicel Foundation in partnership with Shell Trinidad and Tobago. The funding enabled the centre to purchase 24 computers, an overhead projector, a printer, and furniture to establish the lab, along with one year of free Digicel Plus internet service.
Digicel Foundation’s Head of Operations Cindyann Currency praises the Rebirth House initiative that will provide opportunities for residents to rebuild their lives.
According to Neela Birjah, CEO of Rebirth House, the facility will provide critical opportunities for residents to rebuild their lives through online access to recruitment, research, career development, and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). With a capacity for 25 individuals, Rebirth House offers a self-admission model for people seeking support and long-term recovery.
On April 15th, Digicel Foundation’s Head of Operations Cindyann Currency and Shell T&T’s Social Performance and Social Investment Advisor Ryssa Brathwaite attended an official project walkthrough at the Rehab Centre, located in Chaguaramas at the Defence Force Army Reserve.
Currency praised the Rebirth House initiative, saying: “Using technology to assist with social issues like substance use disorder is the kind of social investment we’re keen to see. Making technology more accessible and beneficial to vulnerable communities is exactly what makes this EPIC.”
(L-R) Posing together for a group shot are Shannon Edward, Substance Abuse Counselor; Jefferson Jurawan, Clinical Psychologist; Wendy-Ann Wattie, Rebirth House Board Chair; Neela Birjah, Rebirth House CEO; Ryssa Brathwaite, Social Performance and Social Investment Advisor at Shell Trinidad and Tobago; Trijata Maraj, Digicel Foundation Director; Cindyann Currency, Digicel Foundation Head of Operations, and Aidan Thomas, Rebirth House Manager.
Brathwaite shared “Recovery takes courage, support and opportunity, and at Shell Trinidad and Tobago, we are honoured to walk alongside Rebirth House and the Digicel Foundation on that journey. This technology lab is more than a room filled with equipment; it’s a symbol of possibility. We’re proud to support a space where healing begins, hope grows, and every step forward is worth celebrating.”
The 2024-2025 EPIC programme awarded grants to ten community organisations across Trinidad and Tobago, with a total investment of TT$1.4 million, set to benefit approximately 58,000 people.
ENDS -
About Digicel
As a Digital Operator, Digicel is in the business of delivering powerful digital experiences 1440 minutes of each day to customers – that’s every minute, all day, every day.
Through its world-class LTE and fibre networks, together with its suite of eight apps spanning sports (SportsMax), music (D’Music), news (Loop), local radio and podcasts (GoLoud), TV streaming, (PlayGo) enhanced messaging and marketplaces (BiP), cloud storage (Billo) and self-care (MyDigicel app), Digicel is the only operator in its markets that can deliver the complete digital experience.
Serving consumer and business customers in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific with investments of over US$7 billion and a commitment to communities in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad & Tobago, the Digicel Foundation has contributed to positive outcomes for over three million people to date.
With its Better Together brand, Digicel is promising “simply more” to its customers and communities as the company’s 7,000 employees worldwide work together to make this pledge a powerful reality day in, day out.
For more, visit www.digicelgroup.com
About Shell Trinidad and Tobago:
Shell has been in Trinidad and Tobago for over 100 years and has played a major role in the development of its oil and gas industry. With operations in offshore and onshore blocks (both operated and non-operated) as well as a shareholding in Atlantic LNG, the sixth largest liquefaction facility in the world, Shell Trinidad and Tobago delivers an integrated gas operation to supply the petrochemical market and Atlantic LNG.
At Shell Trinidad and Tobago Limited, we continue to work together with Government, Communities and our partners to add value and contribute to the country’s further development and to maximize the benefits of Trinidad and Tobago's hydrocarbon resources to the country.