Mustard Seed’s 40-year embrace of God’s people

Mustard Seed Communities' founder, Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon (centre) gives the audience
an overview of the operations of the charity at Wednesday's launch of its 40th anniversary.
Seated from left are board members Thyra Heaven, Thalia Lyn, and executive director, Mustard Seed International,
Father Garvin Augustine. (Photo: Michael Gordon - Jamaica Observer ) 

Jamaica Observer column published 3 September 2018

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Children who literally live in garbage dumps.  Children who walk miles to a Mustard Seed orphanage, not sure if they will be one of the lucky 900 to be fed that day. We watched the video and listened in awe to the narrative of Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, Founder of Mustard Seed Communities, now in Jamaica, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Malawi and Zimbabwe, at the Launch of the organization’s 40^th Anniversary celebrations last Wednesday.

The name is taken from Jesus’ parable (Matthew 13:31-32): “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed … Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree…” And so, Gregory Ramkissoon, Trinidad-born UWI Lecturer began his small ministry in Mona Commons in 1978, growing it to serve thousands in residential, educational, agricultural and spiritual programmes.

Ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1984, the legendary minister, his In

ternational CEO Father Garvin Augustine and local CEO Darcy Tulloch-Williams somehow manage to attract the most enthusiastic and compassionate staff members and volunteers who travel far and wide to serve. The Launch was supported by Board members Thalia Lyn and Thyra Heaven, and PR guru Berl Francis who has volunteered with Mustard Seed for decades.

Monsignor Gregory graduated from Boston College with a first degree in Urban Planning and Master’s Degrees in Philosophy and Theology.  A visit to the Olympic Way compound with its well laid out grounds and buildings, shows his planning genius.  This area has experienced unrest, but Monsignor Gregory says community members value the organisation and are protective of his people.

Brendan Hames (second left), IGT Regional Director – Caribbean was pleased to join the Mustard Seed Communities (MSC) in the celebration of the launch of their 40th anniversary. IGT has partnered with MSC through their global philanthropic effort – IGT After School Advantage Programme, contributing fully equipped computer centres so far at three MSC residences with plans to open two more by the end of 2018. Also sharing in the moment are Executive Director of MSC, Darcy Tulloch-Williams (left), Father Garvin Augustine, Executive Director, MSC International; Thyra Heaven and Thalia Lyn, MSC Board Members.

A scenic marvel is the Jacob’s Ladder community in St. Ann, a safety net for disabled individuals who cease to receive government funding at age 18.  The residence houses over 50 persons in a series of cozy cottages surrounded by various agricultural projects.  At the large Centre of Excellence donated by the Digicel Foundation, residents receive therapy and create art and craft which is sold to raise funds. Farming provides food for the various communities and the vision is to grow the residential population to 500 on the 100-acre property. Monsignor made an urgent appeal for funds to establish the well, important for this expansion; he has already raised $10 million of the $40 million needed, so please try to help.

Thyra Heaven and her fund-raising committee can take credit for the creation of the “Powerful Women Perform for Charity” concert, later expanded to include men, with the kind oversight of Broadcast Commission CEO Cordel Green and Michelle Wilson-Reynolds.  Supporters of the event will be happy hear that this year’s concert raised over $7 million for Mustard Seed. 

The organisation is keen on education so it was special for Brendan Hames, visiting Caribbean Head of IGT, to see its work.  IGT Jamaica led by Debbie Green, has donated After School Advantage computer learning centres to three Mustard Seed locations and plans to open two additional centres at Sophie’s Place in Gordon Town, and Matthew 25:40 (part of Dare to Care) at George Headley Drive in Kingston before the end of the year.

As reported in the Jamaica Observer last week, Monsignor Ramkissoon is appealing to the Government for a waiver on education tax, as this is a burden to his organisation which hires teachers.  We join him in this appeal as the massive work he has undertaken surely has saved our government millions.