JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation Donates to Mustard Seed Communities to Support the Most Vulnerable 

The JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation made a donation of J$750,000, to Mustard Seed Communities (MSC) recently, aimed at furthering the mission of the organization to care for and give hope to the most vulnerable and often forgotten members of society. 

The donation is timely, as it will aid in supporting Mustard Seed Communities in providing care for the 59 disabled Haitian orphans, who have been rescued from that country due to the political and social upheaval. 

Kim Mair, CEO of the Foundation outlined, “The JMMB Group has had a longstanding relationship with Mustard Seed Communities, including providing financial support towards its Dare to Care programme that caters to orphaned children in Jamaica living with HIV/AIDS. We have seen firsthand the impact that their work has had in improving the lives of the most vulnerable in our society locally, across the Caribbean and beyond. With their dedication and passion to serve others and their intimate knowledge of caring for these individuals, we saw it fit to partner with them in this way, to help to give these orphans hope and a semblance of normalcy.” 

During the recent symbolic cheque handover ceremony held at the Mustard Seed Communities head office in Kingston, executive director – MSC international, Father Garvin Augustine, thanked the Foundation for its generosity of spirit noting,  “This donation will not only provide (these children) with immediate relief but has also offered hope for a brighter future. By investing in their care, you are helping to create a nurturing environment where these children can thrive despite the adversities they have faced. With your support, we will be able to provide essential resources, including shelter, food, clothing, medical care and therapy.”

While lauding the Foundation and other corporate bodies and individuals for pledging their support towards this worthy cause, he welcomed further donations, to offset the ongoing costs associated with the day-to-day care of these orphans, who will be housed at Jacob Ladder location in St. Ann, during their stay in Jamaica. Organizations and individuals can donate by contacting the Mustard Seed Communities directly to coordinate their efforts.

Darcy Tulloch-Williams, executive director at Mustard Seed Communities – Jamaica outlined that the MSC has always extended brotherly love to those in need and the less fortunate, as evidenced by the over 400 children and disabled adults that the organization caters to across 13 locations. During the dire times in Haiti with ongoing political insecurity and inhumane conditions, this is an opportunity to provide support.  She outlined, “The political unrest in Haiti has resulted in all sectors of the society being affected including the health sector, where some facilities have been closed or functioning below capacity. As such these children with special needs would be severely impacted even to the point of death, in some instances, due to the conditions in their home country. We were therefore moved to provide them with a safe haven and save their lives.”  

In keeping with its Vision of Love, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation has supported similar initiatives that cater to the most vulnerable including its annual Share the Love food drive designed to reduce food insecurity among the less fortunate; provide financial backing to Committee for the Upliftment of Mentally Ill (CUMI); Child Resiliency Programme, an after-school programme for at-risk children, among other partnerships.