WESTERN BUREAU:

Executive director of Mustard Seed Communities (MSC), Father Gregory Ramkissoon, says the Government needs to put more resources into the programmes that affect children with special cases, as thepresent allocation is "woefully inadequate".

"The minister needs to realise that you cannot stress early childhood (education) when it is just for a certain part of the children population," he said, "every child, including those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, disabilities, or who are mentally challenged, must be included."

Hope for more

When asked about Govern-ment's support, he said: "It is woefully inadequate ... but we hope that, with a new administration come April, the new budget will reflect greater support from them."

Speaking to The Gleaner following the official opening and dedication of Blessed Assurance Mustard Seed Communities last week, Father Ramkissoon said the support for his ministry from the private sector "is almost non-existent".

"I do hope it will be a different experience here in the western region," he said.

A safe place

An apostolate of the Mustard Seed Communities, Blessed Assurance is located on a five-acre property in Windsor Lodge, St. James, which was donated by Montego Bay businessman and philanthropist Winston Dear, and will be home to some 70 children living with severe disabilities, HIV/AIDS, as well as homeless teenage mothers.

When completed, the project is slated to cost $70 million and will consist of cottages, an early childhood learning centre, an Internet café and a farm.

Mustard Seed Communities is a non-profit, non-government organisation established in 1978, which now has some 12 such shelters in Jamaica, providing food and respite for more than 400 children.