KINGSTON, Jamaica— Over 450 residents of six entities within the Mustard Seed Communities across the country were beneficiaries of diapers, wipes and nutritional items through the JN Foundation’s ‘Comfort for Christmas’ initiative.

A news release from the JN Foundation said that the gesture was welcomed by Mustard Seed, as a vast majority of its residents, which comprise babies and adults abandoned and afflicted by ailments such as disabilities and HIV, rely on the items to support their daily hygiene and nutritional needs.

Darcy Tulloch-Williams, executive director of the Mustard Seed Communities, said 80 per cent of the residents are incontinent, and many rely on the milk products donated, as they cannot swallow or digest solid foods.

“We are very grateful for this donation because sometimes we are in very short supply of diapers. So, we always have to have the diapers available for them,” she said, referring to the long-standing relationship Mustard Seed has had with The Jamaica National Group.

Tulloch-Williams 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 have supplies of the things we need. In 2021, they also hosted an online Christmas concert where the donations from the concert were contributed to the operational costs of our homes,” she informed.

“They are an excellent corporate entity, and we are indeed grateful to them. It has been a fruitful and respectful relationship, and we continue to look forward to more collaborations in the future,” the executive director said.

Mustard Seed Communities are home to some 458 vulnerable people in 13 residences across Jamaica. Besides abandoned children and young adults with disabilities, children impacted by HIV/AIDS, its dwellings are also home to teen mothers, who are welcomed along with their babies, the release said.

Jerusalem, one of the 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. 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.

The release stated that 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 provide a continuous means of support for charity initiatives.

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.

People 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,” Tulloch-Williams stated.