TWO charities, Missionaries of the Poor and the Mustard Seed Communities, were commended by the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) for their work with needy adults and children.

At an awards function last Monday, Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie paid tributes to Father Richard Holung, founder of Missionaries of the Poor, and Father Gregory Ramkissoon, founder of the Mustard Seed Communities.

“As a Jamaican, I am very proud of the fact that this missionary body (Missionaries of the Poor) was created right here and has successfully extended its wings into other countries,” Mckenzie said, adding that it was the first male religious order of priests and brothers to be founded in the English- speaking Caribbean.

Added McKenzie: “It offers us an opportunity to hold up our heads in the world and be proud, and to let others know that we are not just about crime and violence and political tribalism and poverty.”

On to the work being done by the Mustard Seed Communities, the mayor said the organisation had played a very important role in service to the inner-city communities of Kingston and St Andrew.

“Mustard Seed’s primary aim has been the care of abandoned and disabled children, offering them hope by providing accommodation, love and education. Mustard seed also manages similar facilities in Haiti, Nicaragua, Zimbabwe and the Dominican Republic,” McKenzie remarked.

He added that he regarded Father Holung and Father Ramkissoon as “virtual saints”.

“They have shown the world that, even in this modern age, the lifestyle of Jesus Christ is still relevant,” the mayor said.

Guest speaker Aubyn Hill, executive director of Corporate Strategies Limited, also praised Holung and Ramkissoon, noting that they dispensed grace.

Grace, Hill added, “is not for the faint-hearted, weak-kneed or soft-headed.”

Sixteen people and organisations received medals at the KSAC’s Local Government awards ceremony.

Other recipients of medals were Dr Denise Eldemire Shearer, Dr Herb Elliott, Carol Anthony, Inspector of Poor, Dr Lloyd Cole, People’s National Party (PNP) Councillor Basil Gordon (Whitfield division), Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Councillor Lorna Leslie, (Denham Town division), Ruby Martin, PNP Councillor Bonitto Brown ( Trench Town division) the Kiwanis Club of North St Andrew, the Salvation Army, Josephine Heron and Sonia Lee-Forbes.