RYU DAN EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION LAUNCHES ‘EPIC’ PROJECT
Shihan Marva John Logan, Co-Founder of the Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation, leads representatives of the Digicel Foundation, Shell T&T, the Cunupia Business Chamber, and the National Body for Sports Martial Arts on a tour of the upgraded facilities at the Ryu Dan Dojo, Enterprise Chaguanas, on May 8th.
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: TUESDAY 13 MAY 2025 – The Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation has upgraded its Sports Plus social programme as part of its ongoing mission to uplift youth in Enterprise, Chaguanas. Launched on the 8th May, the project was made possible through the Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) grant programme, funded by the Digicel Foundation in partnership with Shell Trinidad and Tobago (Shell).
With a $150,000 EPIC Grant, the Ryu Dan Foundation launched ‘Operation KickUp’ to expand opportunities for youth and women in its community by: (i) Establishing a fully-equipped computer lab to support digital learning; (ii) Purchasing new sewing machines and tools for its ‘Support Educate and Empower Women’ (SEEW) programme, and (iii) Purchasing new sports equipment and gear to enhance training at the Centre. All part of Ryu Dan’s flagship Sports Plus programme, the NGO uses a multidisciplinary approach that blends sports and cultural disciplines with academic and vocational training to help develop well-rounded individuals.
Martial Arts students from the Ryu Dan Dojo show off their synchronised skills.
Speaking at the launch event, Digicel Foundation Director Bibi Mohamed Singh shared that "Being part of sustainable community development initiatives is exactly what EPIC is about. Our investment goes beyond the computers and tangible items – it’s about enriching lives and helping participants change their life trajectory."
In addition, the partnership includes one year of free Digicel Plus service and access to the Digicel Foundation’s Safer Internet Training (SIT) campaign, which equips participants with vital cybersecurity skills and tools for navigating the digital world responsibly.
Shell T&T’s Social Performance and Social Investment Advisor Ryssa Brathwaite said: “We are proud to be part of another EPIC project with Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation and Digicel Foundation. At Shell, we believe that sport, when combined with strong academic foundations and vocational training, is a powerful tool for building resilience, teamwork, and discipline. Our commitment is to support programmes that nurture both the body and the mind, creating pathways to opportunity and long-term success.”
Rosemary Sandy, participant of the ‘Support Educate Empower Women’ (SEEW) programme shares her testimony at the launch of the Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation’s Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) project, funded by the Digicel Foundation in partnership with Shell Trinidad and Tobago (Shell).
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. The grants were awarded to projects focused on Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Education, Technology and the Environment, thereby funding non-profit initiatives aligned with key national development indicators.
Shell T&T’s Social Performance and Social Investment Advisor Ryssa Brathwaite delivers remarks at the launch of the Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation’s Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) project, funded by the Digicel Foundation in partnership with Shell Trinidad and Tobago (Shell).
Shihan Marva John Logan, Co-Founder of the Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation, wears a proud smile as she listens to the beneficiary testimonies delivered during the Ryu Dan Empowerment ‘Operation Kickup’ Project Launch on May 8th.
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.