Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore,
Staff Reporter
Father Gregory Ramkissoon with two of his charges at
the Mustard Seed headquarters, Mahoe Drive in Kingston.
FATHER GREGORY Ramkissoon is a true follower of the Bible
verse, "Suffer the little children and forbid them not, to come
unto me." (Matthew 19:14). Ramkissoon, founder and executive director
of the Mustard Seed Communities has devoted his life to abandoned
and disabled children since 1978, and currently, those living
with HIV/AIDS.
In 1978, he was a lecturer at the University of the West Indies,
and also a geographer working in the depressed community of Mona
Common on the outskirts of St. Andrew. His aim was to help children
who were disabled and abandoned, so he started a basic school.
By 1979 he officially started Mustard Seed communities. About
two years later, he opened a new school, Holy Innocent Preparatory
School. Later the community had a few establishments such as a
printery, pottery shop and a card making shop. However, in 1987
all the buildings were destroyed by fire leaving only the basic
school standing. He moved his organisation to the present location,
1 Mahoe Drive, off Hagley Park Road in St. Andrew.
GIVEN UP THE LUXURY
Father Gregory, 54, gave himself solely to the work of the Lord
and the children he cares for since 1984 when he became a priest.
He has also given up the luxury of living in a prestigious apartment
to live in the inner-city. "I decided to live in the inner-city
because you cannot live in Cherry Gardens and serve. You have
to live and breathe the same air in order to serve, you have to
be a family member otherwise you cannot perform," said Father
Gregory.
The devoted Father told Flair he loves his work and it
so exciting sometimes he cannot even find time to sleep. "I used
to love the academics and the travelling life but now I have forgotten
them. Now I have to take care of my spiritual life."
So dedicated is he that the children instinctively seek him out.
This was demonstrated during the Flair interview when two
little girls, Genelle Gordon and Christina Allen found his loving
arms. He welcomed them openly, gave them a big hug and enquired
about their day. He said these children keep him focused. "Plus
I just take care of a little section of their lives by providing
them with food and shelter."
REAL HEROES
Father Gregory stressed that whatever you love you must think
about and whatever you think about you must do and that is how
he trains his staff to operate. He noted that most of them are
not well educated, but they receive training through Mustard Seed.
"The workers here are from the surrounding community and they
are very caring towards the children. They are real heroes who
protect all the children with the lives."
He adds, "If you want motivation in life you have to share what
you have. But if you want depression try to grab everything because
the more you accumulate the more you annihilate."
