Usain Bolt praised for foundation’s contributions to those in need

WESTERN BUREAU:

Caregivers at the Montego Bay Mustard Seed Communities Children’s Home in St James received their Christmas wishes of a washing machine and a smart television set, thanks to the Usain Bolt and Janet Richards foundations which donated the items towards helping to make life easier at the facility.

The home, located in the East Central St James’ community of Adelphi, has been suffering from an inadequate supply of water which regularly disrupts the domestic chores at the facility.

“I am so proud to present on behalf of Usain Bolt Foundation, a young man that I admire, a young man that loves people – a young man that loves children, this washing machine based on the request you made,” said Janet Richards, managing director and founder of the Janet Richards Foundation.

Richards, who was speaking at her foundation’s annual Christmas treat, held for the residents and staff of the Mustard Seed Children’s Home, noted the caregivers’ struggle with potable water.

“Nothing beats taking care of children who cannot help themselves and this is where I stand,” Richards said.

“We are happy to be here and we want you to have a wonderful evening. Usain Bolt has made this possible, year after year, and he will not stop,” she told the children and their caregivers before wishing them a joyous Christmas.

According to her, Usain Bolt, through his foundation, has been doing a great deal for the vulnerable in Jamaican communities.

“And, as a young man, he teaches us a lot of things; to give a little, serve a little – as much as he has so many things to do,” Richards said, noting his efforts were being made despite the many other activities in which he is involved.

In relation to the smart television, she said that, given the technological era the world is now in, she said the donation was made as it was important that children are kept in tune with advancing technology.

“On behalf of the Usain Bolt Foundation and his directors, I take great pleasure in presenting this (television set) to you. It has a lot of features, I know the children will be happy and you will take great care of it,” Richards said.

‘Really grateful’

Cordell Howell-Huie, administrator at the Mustard Seed Children’s Home, said the gifts were coming at a critical point in the lives of both the children and the staff. Howell-Huie said life would be a lot less challenging for the laundress because the new washing machine was one that can have water manually poured into it to do the children’s laundry.

“We have been struggling quite a while with water pressure in the area and there are times when we are out of water for up to four weeks,” Howell-Huie told The Gleaner.

“The washing machine that we have, if the water pressure is low, it is of no use, hence the ladies have to be washing with their hands and it’s not easy to be washing for 31 mentally and physically challenged children,” she reasoned. “So, getting a washing machine that you can actually pour water into is great for the laundress and for us here. I am really grateful for this gift.”

She shared that, while the home already has a small television, it is not a smart one.

“In getting a smart and bigger television, it is going to benefit our children. They will be able to do more activities and to enjoy movies, whatever it might be,” Howell-Huie said.

She expressed her appreciation for the gifts her children and staff received while praising the leadership of the foundations, who continue to ensure that the youngsters are able to celebrate the Christmas holidays with their personal gifts and a specially prepared meal.

“We are grateful for the gifts and I want to thank the Usain Bolt Foundation and the Janet Richards Foundation for the wonderful job they have been doing over the years,” said Howell-Huie, who has been at the helm of the Montego Bay Mustard Seed Children’s Home for the past 19 years.

“It has been a blessing [and] it can be overwhelming seeing the different gifts they have contributed over the years. I know my staff and the entire Mustard Seed Community is grateful for the continued support from these foundations,” she added.

Businessman Stephen Dear, whose family donated the land on which the Montego Bay Mustard Seed home is built, said he was happy to know that his family was able to see the need and provide its gift.

“For me, every time I come to Mustard Seed, I am reminded that this piece of land was actually donated by my father many years ago and, as a little boy, there was a stream that ran in the front. I don’t see it running today, but I used to play in the stream and run through this entire property,” Dear, an Itel Limited executive, noted.

While his father and businessman Winston Dear did many projects on the land before deciding to donate it to the Mustard Seed Children’s Home project, the younger Dear said the transformation was incredible.

“What they have done with this property is incredible. The gift that my father gave was small compared to what they have done, so hats off to the people that continue to make Mustard Seed what it is and to Janet Richards for year after year coming here,” he added.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com