Fifty-nine disabled Haitian children, accompanied by their 13 caregivers, underwent medical examinations conducted by local health officials upon their arrival in Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica, on Thursday.
Arrival and welcome in Port Antonio
Arriving via boat at the Ken Wright shipping pier just before 9 a.m., the children and their caregivers were greeted by the presence of a Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard vessel and the Marine police, ensuring their safe entry into the port.
They were fed and provided with water.
Transition to Mustard Seed Communities
Under the guardianship of HaitiChildren, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting abandoned, orphaned, and disabled children in Haiti, the children are set to be received by Mustard Seed Communities.
They were transported to the organization’s Jacob’s Ladder home in Moneague, St. Ann. The initial arrangement spans two years, with funding secured from HaitiChildren’s network of donors.
Father Garvin Augustine, Executive Director of Mustard Seed Communities International, confirmed that after extensive consultations with government authorities, permission was granted for the children to enter Jamaica legally and receive the necessary care within a safe environment.
Response to Haiti’s crisis
Founded 46 years ago by Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, Mustard Seed Communities has been a pillar of support for over 450 abandoned and severely disabled children, those impacted by HIV, and pregnant teens.
With 12 homes across Jamaica and additional facilities in four other countries, the organization continues to extend its reach, embodying a legacy of compassion and care for the marginalized.
Amid the backdrop of heightened gang violence in Haiti, Susie Krabecher, founder and chief executive officer of HaitiChildren, initiated discussions with the leadership of Mustard Seed Communities in Jamaica.
Krabecher underscored the urgency of the situation, highlighting the escalating challenges faced by disabled children due to the worsening violence in their home country.
