Regians Travel to Jamaica for Service Trip Working With Mustard Seed Communities

Over winter recess, 18 Regians traveled to Jamaica to work with the Mustard Seed Communities, a faith-based non-profit organization that cares for more than 500 children and adults with disabilities or HIV/AIDS.

The group was lodged at one of the MSC apostolates and split time doing farming work for the community and spending time with the residents — who were mostly children — housed at their apostolate. Many of the children require the constant attention of caregivers, and the Regians helped feed the residents, played with them, and walked them to Mass and prayer services. Towards the end of their time in Jamaica, Regians were interviewed by a radio station operated by MSC. 

Mr. Owen Smith, Director of Service and Justice Initiatives, served as a chaperone on the trip and says he was deeply moved by the students' dedication, noting how their willingness to step outside of their comfort zones created lasting connections with the residents they served. “I was so impressed by the patience and proactiveness of our students,” said Mr. Smith. “The residents who we worked with have severe mental and physical disabilities, and I know most in the group had never interacted with people like them before. Our students did whatever was needed: feeding, walking, singing, playing games, whatever was needed to bring a smile to their faces, which in turn brought smiles to ours.”

Thanks to the generosity of the Regis community, students also raised $22,591 in recent months for the Mustard Seed Communities, in addition to collecting donations of clothing, bedsheets, and toiletries.