Photo Caption: Darcy Tulloch-Williams (second right), executive director of Mustard Seed Communities Jamaica expressed delight at receiving diapers and milk products from team members of the JN Foundation team, Candice Nichols (second left), social Impact assessment officer and Omar Wright (left), lead, environment, and community development programmes. Sharing in the moment is Ezlyn McKenzie, administrator of My Father’s Place, one of 13 homes in the Mustard Seed Communities. The presentation took place at My Father’s Place on Mahoe Drive in St Andrew.
Six entities within the Mustard Seeds Communities were beneficiaries of the JN Foundation’s Comfort for Christmas initiative, organised to provide diapers, wipes, and nutritional products to the more than 200 residents of the homes situated across the country.
The gesture was welcomed by Mustard Seed, as a vast majority of its residents, which comprise babies to adults neglected or afflicted with ailments, such as disabilities and HIV, rely on the items to support their daily hygiene and nutrition.
Darcy Tulloch-Williams, executive director of the Mustard Seed Communities, said 95 per cent of the residents, wear diapers, and many rely on the milk products donated, as they are unable to swallow or digest solid foods.
“We are very grateful for this donation because sometimes we are in very short supply of diapers. So, we have to always have the diapers available for them,” she said pointing to the long-standing relationship Mustard Seed has had with The Jamaica National Group. She noted that initiatives spearheaded by the Group through the JN Foundation over the past few years, have been instrumental in providing for its most vulnerable across Jamaica.
“I am overwhelmed by the commitment of the JN Foundation. Every year, they come, and they have supplies of the things that we need. In 2021, they also hosted an online Christmas concert where the donations from the concert were contributed to the operations of our homes,” she informed.
“They are an excellent corporate entity. I want to thank them very much. It has been a fruitful and respectful relationship, and we continue to look forward to more in the future,” she said.
Mustard Seed Communities are home to some 458 vulnerable persons in 13 residences across Jamaica. Besides neglected children and young adults with disabilities, its dwellings are also home to several teen mothers, who are welcomed along with their babies.
Jerusalem, one of the 13 residences in the Mustard Seed Communities, located in Spanish Town, St Catherine, was among the six homes to benefit from the JN Foundation’s initiative.
Ann-Marie Adams, assistant administrator at Jerusalem, received the supplies with delight from a JN Foundation team who visited the home on December 18.
“We thank JN for always thinking about us and partnering with us,” she remarked.
Jerusalem is home to 116 residents, comprising children and adults ages 10 to 54-years-old. Most residents are affected with ailments such as mental retardation and cerebral palsy.
Candice Nichols, social impact and assessment officer at the JN Foundation, explained that the items for donation were determined after consulting with Mustard Seed Communities about its needs.
“Diapers, feeding tubes, and liquid nutritional beverages emerged as high-priority necessities. Responding dynamically, we fulfilled this request,” she said.
Through the ‘Comfort for Christmas’ initiative, the JN Foundation rallied JN employees across the JN Group to contribute either cash or diapers towards the supplies. The initiative was further bolstered by the JN Group employee giving programme, ‘Funds to Fuel a Nation’, which facilitates year-round contributions from employees to providing a continuous means of support for charity initiatives.
Miss Nichols pointed out that the initiative is a natural gesture for The Jamaica National Group, as the organisation is committed to enriching the lives of Jamaicans wherever they are.
“The alignment between our objectives and Mustard Seed Communities’ dedicated efforts to serving the most vulnerable members of our society, is unmistakable. This shared commitment propels our ongoing support for their impactful work,” she remarked.
Persons or organisations that wish to contribute to the work of the Mustard Seed Communities can contact the organisation at 876-923-6488 or email info-jamaica@mustardseed.com
“We are always in need of food, toiletries and we always welcome anything anyone would like to contribute,” Mrs Tulloch-Williams appealed.
