Michael Jones (right), a representative of Scotiabank Jamaica, presents a cheque to Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, executive director of Mustard Seed Communities, during the official opening of Martha's House in Spanish Town last Wednesday. - Ian Allen/Photographer

Though Christmas has come a few weeks early for wards of Martha's House, the head of the orphanage's parent organisation has appealed for more aid to fund teaching programmes.

Monsignor Gregory Ramkis-soon, executive director of the Mustard Seed Communities, has bemoaned the fact that the spectre of discrimination still prevailed over the lives of the wards, who have HIV/AIDS.

"Can you believe that we have to be paying to send our children to school, and no help is forthcoming? We have to do remedial teaching, which costs up to $60,000 monthly," said Ramkissoon, who explained that monthly maintenance costs, including medication, tallied approximately $50,000 per child.

Ramkissoon, who was speaking during last Wednesday's opening of Martha's House's $12.6-million facility in Spanish Town, St Catherine, also came in for praise by Prime Minister Bruce Golding who attended the event.

"Monsignor Ramkissoon is a very good leader and it is for that reason why any type of help that is feasible will be rendered to the Mustard Seed," Golding said.

Speaking less than 24 hours after World AIDS Day was commemorated on December 1, the prime minister also urged Jamaicans to be more conscientious in their treatment of persons directly affected by the epidemic.

Martha's House's original home - at North Street, Kingston - was gutted by fire on March 16, displacing 30 wards of the State.

The Mustard Seed Communities' financial burden was eased somewhat with the donation of $2 million from the Bank of Nova Scotia.

"It is for a worthy cause and this donation represents money contributed by employees of the bank, with an equal sum from the bank," Michael Jones, representative of the bank, said last Wednesday.

A number of wards, performing cultural items on the steel pan, were well received at the opening ceremony.

rasbert.turner@gleanerjm.com