Tendai Franklyn-Brown, Staff Reporter

Fr Gregory Ramkissoon, (right) executive director of Mustard Seed Communities, shares a joke with Norma Dadd-McNamee who donated the home to the Mustard Seed Communities, at the official opening of Martha's House on North Street, Kingston last Friday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Mustard Seed Communities celebrated 30 years of providing food, shelter and respite for more than 400 children living with HIV/AIDS, severe mental or physical disabilities, with the official opening of Martha's House last Friday.

Martha' House has been operating since April 2006 and provides a home for 29 children, from the ages of 18 months to 13 years, who have contracted HIV/AIDS. It was leased from Norma Dadd-McNamee, who resides in Canada, Fr Gregory Ramkissoon, executive director of the Mustard Seed Communities spoke of the importance of independent homes. He said the repose such homes provided for minors should not be ignored.

Family setting for children

"The best situation for children to grow up in, is a family setting ... some of these children come from tragic circumstances and it is amazing to see what happens when they come here," he said.

Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie, commended the work and efforts of Ramkissoon in working with disadvantaged children. Mayor McKenzie said "since 2005, for every 1,000 pregnant women in Jamaica, 13 are infected with HIV. We must be concerned, with the number of children being born with this severe handicap".

The mayor on behalf of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation contributes a sum of $20,000 per month to help cover maintenance costs at Martha's House.

"I hope the children you nurture here will be able to survive all the challenges ... and set a precedent for others in a similar position, who want to grow up and live normal lives. HIV should not be a death sentence for children", he said.

The Ministry of Health report of 2007, showed that 80 per cent of HIV cases, contracted the disease through multiple sex partners, indicating that HIV is still on the rise.

Dr Peter Figueroa, the Health Ministry's chief medical officer, suggested that donations alone would not solve the challenges posed by HIV. This he said ought to be complemented with public education and policy measures.

"Critical policies are needed to support those on the ground, who are most at risk. Young people who are sexually active do not have ready access to condoms, counselling or education in order to turn around this epidemic," he said.

Dadd-McNamee was more than happy for her home to accommodate children in need of love and belonging. "I'm happy it will provide a home for these children, these are all my grandchildren, so I am grandma," she said.