Contributed
Representation of Jamaican life by STEP.
Images of the Madonna and child, and of peaceful Jamaican scenery are featured on this year's edition of Christmas cards produced by the Mustard Seed Communities and STEP (School for Therapy, Education and Parenting for children with multiple disabilities).
The sale of Christmas cards is one way in which charitable organisations seek to gain funding for annual operational expenses.
The STEP centre was founded in 1993 by concerned parents of children with multiple disabilities and is managed by a committee of parents.
Mustard Seed Communities is dedicated to the care of children with multiple disabilities. It is a non-profit, community development organisation that began in 1978 in the depressed community of Mona Common on the outskirts of the city of Kingston.
The STEP Centre is a private school, supported only partially by fees. They also depend on fund-raising and donations to meet expenses. Through generous local community and parental support, the centre is also able to offer the children the additional benefits of horseback riding, swimming and other forms of entertainment. The centre also has an annual sports day and Christmas programme.
My Father's House located at Mustard Seed Communities' headquarters is home for 56 children with various forms of disabilities. The Mustard Seed communities includes Sophie's Place, part of a collaborative project with the University of the West Indies and the University of Technology. Twenty-four disabled children now live at Sophie's Place (purchased with the help of Irish Friends of Mustard Seed Communities). Eight of these children attend daily sessions at the UWI and eight at the University of Technology.
Mary's Child is Mustard Seed's home for teenage mothers.
Jerusalem is Mustard Seed Communities' home for young adults with physical and mental disabilities. There are now 95 residents of this facility between the ages of two and 35.
STEP can be reached at 977-3720. Mustard Seed Communities may be contacted at 923-6488.
