blink | bmobile CSR: Empowering Youth Through Education, Recycling, and Community Development
How the blink | bmobile Foundation Invested in Youth and Sustainability in Trinidad & Tobago (2014)
In 2014, telecommunications giant blink | bmobile embarked on a nationwide environmental initiative through its Directory Recycling Programme, encouraging youth-led recycling while reinforcing its broader commitment to education, sport, culture, and health—the four pillars of the blink | bmobile Foundation.
🔗 External link:
blink | bmobile – Corporate Responsibility & Community Initiatives
Directory Recycling Programme & Environmental Responsibility
Every publishing cycle, blink | bmobile produces over five hundred thousand telephone directories. Through the Directory Recycling Programme, schools across Trinidad and Tobago were encouraged to collect old directories, promoting environmentally responsible behaviour among young people.
“our company produces over 500,000 directories and we have tried to do so in an environmentally friendly manner by utilising biodegradable ink. This recycling programme will help in educating young people about the importance of recycling and engaging in environmentally responsible behaviour,”
— Graeme Suite, Acting Head of Public Relations and External Affairs
As an incentive, participating schools received TTD one dollar for every directory collected, with all materials shipped to a recycling company in the United Kingdom.
🔗 Internal link suggestion:
Green Business & Environmental Responsibility in Trinidad & Tobago
Committed to Education
Education remains a cornerstone of the blink | bmobile Foundation’s CSR strategy, particularly in leveraging technology to support modern learning environments.
Technology in Schools: The Green PC Programme
blink | bmobile’s Green PC Programme distributes refurbished computers to NGOs, CBOs, and schools, helping bridge the digital divide for vulnerable youth.
2014 beneficiaries included:
- Autism Support Services
- Mango Rose Home Work Centre
- Islamic Home for Children
- Selected primary schools nationwide
Book Buddies Programme
Through the Book Buddies Programme, blink | bmobile employees partner with children’s homes ahead of the school year, assisting with the purchase of required textbooks.
“We’re proud of the programme because it demonstrates the commitment of our employees who enthusiastically volunteer to help enable these children,”
— Natasha Davis, Executive Vice President, Marketing
🔗 Internal link suggestion:
Employee Volunteerism and Youth Development
Support for Differently Abled Youth
blink | bmobile collaborates with organisations supporting differently abled children through mentorship and life-skills training, including:
- Down Syndrome Family Network
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/DownSyndromeFamilyNetworkTT/ - We Care Deaf Support Network
🔗 https://www.wecaredeaf.org
The Foundation also supports SASH Consulting in producing the Character Education and Citizenry Development Student Workbook for Standards Three and Four—an essential tool for students preparing for the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA).
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Related Link: bmobile welcomes 600 Future Leaders in its Internship Programme
Deepening Cultural Connections
“Imagine Trinidad and Tobago” Art Mentorship Programme
The blink | bmobile Foundation partners with the Indian Caribbean Museum to expose young people to the nation’s rich cultural heritage.
🔗 External link:
Indian Caribbean Museum of Trinidad & Tobago
In 2014, budding artists aged sixteen to twenty-one were invited to interpret the theme “Imagine Trinidad and Tobago.” Selected works were featured on the blink | bmobile Facebook page and in the 2014 telephone directory.
The top twelve artists earned placements in a mentorship programme with renowned Caribbean artist Leroy Clarke, a significant opportunity for emerging creative talent.
🔗 External reference:
Leroy Clarke – Caribbean Artist and Cultural Icon
Promoting Sport, Health, and Wellness
blink | bmobile recognises the vital role sport plays in youth development, discipline, and community cohesion.
Primary and Secondary School Athletics
The Foundation supports:
- North Coast Games (for over fifteen years)
- Victoria Education District Games
“We’ve been a part of this for over 15 years and it builds tremendous community spirit,”
— Natasha Davis
Nijsane Cycle Festival
At the secondary level, blink | bmobile has supported the Nijsane Cycle Festival for over eleven years, using sport as a platform for youth mentorship.
“We believe athletes like Nijsane work very hard promoting our country and they also play a part in nurturing and developing young upcoming athletes,”
— Graeme Suite
Children’s homes participating in the festival received recreational bicycles, including:
- St. Mary’s Children Home
- Couva Children’s Home and Nursery
- Ferndean Children’s Place
Swimming, Health & Active Lifestyles
The Foundation is also a long-term supporter of the National Secondary Schools’ Swimming Championship, hosted by Tidal Wave Aquatics of Trinidad and Tobago.
🔗 External link:
Tidal Wave Aquatics – Trinidad & Tobago
In 2014, financial grants were awarded to top swimmers to support their athletic development.
blink | bmobile also supports health-focused initiatives such as:
- School Aerobic Burnout, hosted by the Eastern Regional Health Authority
🔗 https://erha.co.tt/ - Cultural heritage events including Emancipation Village and Divali Nagar
🔗 External links:
Divali Nagar National Council
Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad & Tobago
Employee Volunteerism and Lasting Impact
Employee volunteerism remains central to blink | bmobile’s CSR ethos. From computer refurbishment to Christmas Angels of Smiles programmes, staff members contribute their time, skills, and expertise year-round.
Through the work of the blink | bmobile Foundation, the company has built strong community partnerships and established itself as a leader in corporate social responsibility, investing in what it considers the nation’s most valuable resource—its youth.