$25M Flows to power educational programme at Hope Zoo

Another generation of Jamaican youth can now look forward to learning firsthand about the animal kingdom and environmental conservation as new life is injected into a national landmark - the Hope Zoo. The Kenny Benjamin led Hope Zoo Preservation Foundation and broadband service provider Flow announce a J$25 million partnership that will boost the efforts to restore and upgrade the Hope Zoo with an integrated, technology-driven education programme, powered by Flow.

Chief operating officer of Columbus Communications Jamaica Ltd., operators of the Flow and Business Solution brands Michele English (l) presents Kenny Benjamin (centre) and Karen Gandreti of the Hope Zoo with a cheque of $25 million towards renovation efforts and to provide the zoo with an integrated technology-driven education programme at the Zoo’s learning centre to be constructed next year.  

Since 2011 the Hope Zoo Preservation Foundation has been working assiduously to bring the beloved Zoo back to its former glory...and beyond.  Jamaica's 21st century zoo will feature a Learning and Resource Centre powered by Flow's broadband network which will deliver high speed internet and digital cable television service, creating a multi-media driven education experience. This will complement the refurbished and upgraded habitats for the animals which will include the popular snake and reptile house, monkey island, wild cat cages, bird houses, flamingo pond and crocodile and iguana reserves. 

“The Hope Zoo's restoration is important to all Jamaicans not just as a social space but more importantly as a living, interactive classroom that provides an exceptional educational experience for our youth,” said  Kenny Benjamin, Executive Chairman of the Hope Zoo Preservation Foundation. “We are pleased to be partnering with Flow, an organization that understands this significance and is committed to joining us in its redevelopment. Flow has always demonstrated its commitment to the development of the nation and our people and we truly value their support in helping us bring back the Zoo - a great national treasure and an iconic establishment in our history - to its former glory."

Kenny Benjamin, Executive Chairman of the Hope Zoo Preservation Foundation (r) watches closely as Flow’s Denise Williams (far left) and Michele English (second left) and Nicholas Benjamin feed the budgies at the Zoo. Flow officially launched its partnership with the Foundation yesterday, December 18, where the company made $25m donation to restoration efforts as well as an integrated technology-driven education programme at the Zoo’s learning centre to be constructed next year.  

The partnership with Hope Zoo is yet another initiative of the broadband service provider to leverage its technology to enhance and transform the way Jamaicans live, work, play and learn.

The unique learning environment of a zoo

“The Hope Zoo, remains one of the most stunning green spaces in Kingston.  Its potential as a family destination, where children can learn about and interact with animals, and where we can all appreciate the importance of conservation, is unquestionable,” said Michele English, president and coo of Columbus Communications, operators of the Flow brand.  “From inception  we made a promise to Jamaica that we would leverage our technology to enhance education. Our partnership with the Zoo is a creative way of capturing the interest and imagination of young people to motivate them to perform at higher levels.  We are proud that in addition to financial contributions of cash and services to rehabilitate the look and feel of the zoo, Flow will also be powering the Zoo’s Learning/Resource Centre.”

The Learning and Resource Centre at Hope Zoo is an entirely new facility that is intended to enhance the science education programme in schools . In partnership with the Ministry of Education, a curriculum will be developed to help students learn about the zoo, conservation, nature and other related topics. This will be complemented by special arrangements to enable groups of school children to have free access for learning tours of the Hope Zoo. 

While the restoration of the Hope Zoo is a work in progress with construction of new administrative buildings, animal habitats and landscaping continuing on the grounds, with plans for more animals to arrive in the near future, families and youth groups continue to visit and enjoy the facilities.  The Hope Zoo is open daily Mondays to Sundays, including public holidays. 

Flow Joins Street Church to Bring the ‘Spirit’ of Christmas to Montego Bay

Staff members from Flow were eager to serve hot meals for several homeless men and women who call the streets of Montego Bay home, during a special Christmas Luncheon on Sunday, December 9.  The annual street feeding activity has fed hundreds of men and women year after year in a special treat spearheaded by Pastors Paul and Dorette Blake of Street Church Ministries.  For the past two years, Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions have partnered with Street Church, as part of its Christmas Outreach Programme, where the company donates to charity on behalf of its corporate clients. 

For six years, pastors Paul and Dorette Blake have been helping to strengthen the faith of persons who call the streets of Downtown Montego Bay home through ‘Street Church’ held every Sunday in Sam Sharpe Square.

Along with the spiritual message they deliver, each year with the help of a generous few, they host an extra-special Christmas street feeding initiative to bring some joy to these individuals who, according to Dorette Blake have been “abandoned, neglected and rejected by society”.

Last Sunday, with the assistance of Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions, they were able to spread some Christmas cheer to more than 100 persons.

For the past two years, Columbus on behalf of its corporate partners has donated more than $2 million dollars to support activities that cater to children and the homeless across the island.  As part of this Christmas Outreach Programme, staff members also volunteer at these activities to make the season a little brighter for many of the underserved in our communities.

This is the second year that ‘Street Church’ has been selected as part of the series of outreach programmes.  Last year over 50 homeless persons benefitted from the activity.

Flow’s Verol Atkins takes this man’s cup for a refill on Sunday during Street Church Ministries’ annual Christmas Street feeding activity in Sam Sharpe Square on Sunday, December 9.  Each year, Columbus, on behalf of its corporate clients, selects and supports charities in need as part of it Christmas Outreach Programme.  This is the second year that the company has joined ‘Street Church’ to make the Season a little brighter for many under-served citizens in city of Montego Bay.  

Dorette Blake, founder of Acts of Faith Ministries, thanked Flow for their contribution to the programme which for years has been in need of funding.  “We truly appreciate the efforts of Flow in giving back and showing kindness to these persons,” she said.

As for her part, Denise Williams, director for corporate communications, Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, was glad to lend a helping hand to this initiative. “The team members at Flow and Columbus Business Solutions were more than happy to be on board with Street Church once again to give back to members in the communities we serve.  We came out and connected with these persons, many of whom have such touching stories.  Pastors Paul and Dorette Blake’s programme is commendable and we are pleased to have partnered with them another year.”

This initiative is the first of several that Columbus Communications has selected to support in its 2012 Christmas Charity Outreach Programme. Next week the company will be partnering with the Clarendon Crime Prevention Committee for their annual Christmas Treat in May Pen and will also be hosting a fun day for children in state care later in December. The company will also make a contribution to Food for the Poor that supports several children homes throughout the island through their Angels of Hope Programme.

Flow Gives Sports Fans Front Row Seat to NBA Games

Flow customers will get even more this Christmas as the broadband company announces complimentary subscription to the NBA League Pass for the entire 2012/2013 regular season of the professional North American basketball  championships.

Any customer who subscribes to any Flow sports package will receive this gift, valued at over $12,000.  This means that customers will have access to view more than 80 games played by all NBA teams during the regular season, up to mid-April.   Consumers will enjoy a unique viewing experience with live games featuring popular teams such as the Heat, Mavericks, Lakers, Bulls Knicks and Spurs.

“It is important to us to show appreciation to our customers and thank them for choosing Flow. We thought that extending access to NBA League Pass for Residential customers that subscribe to our various sports packages was a great way to do this,” said Denise Williams, director of government and corporate affairs of Columbus Communications, operators of the Flow brand. “Jamaicans are avid sports fans and we are pleased to be able to leverage our technology to enable our customers to have access to premiere sports programming.”

 While selected NBA games can be seen on channels on the Flow network such as TNT and ESPN 2, by extending the NBA League Pass to customers, Flow has provided access to every game played throughout what is normally a very exciting season of basketball.

 All Flow residential cable customers who subscribe to any sports package that is available on Flow’s digital cable network will have NBA League Pass automatically added to their account at no additional charge. In addition, new customers who sign up for any Flow Sports Package will also get the NBA League pass. The sports packages are Watch Sports and Watch Sports HD, The MaxPak , NFL Sunday Ticket,  Watch Ultimate or Watch Ultimate HD.

Flow provides over 300 channels with more than 15 dedicated solely to sports programming.  Some Sporting events can be viewed on Flow’s network in both Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD.) The channels on Flow’s network give viewers front row seats to a wide array of games including traditional favourites  football, cricket, boxing, tennis, NFL and Formula One racing.

PSOJ 50UnderFifty Gala Awards Banquet

Michele English (right) president and coo of Columbus Communications, operators of the Flow and Columbus Business Solutions brands in Jamaica, has the full attention of Freeman Hrabwoski III, guest presenter at the Gleaner PSOJ50UnderFifty  Awards Gala at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Thursday, November 29.  English is one of the 50 awardees under the age of 50 who were acknowledged as a result of their current contributions to the business community and the country