Join Jamaica Mustard Seed and spend spring break in Kingston, Jamaica, working with the country’s most vulnerable populations.

Jamaica Mustard Seed

Jamaica Mustard Seed is a spring break trip, engaging Boston College students in aweek of service with Mustard Seed Communities, an international non-profitorganization operating in Kingston, Jamaica. Mustard Seed is committed to caring forthe country’s most vulnerable individuals.

A BC delegation of students will be formed in October, and will then meet weekly as ateam throughout the year to both prepare for the experience as well as debrief uponreturn. Team meetings will be dedicated to:

  • Learning about Jamaican history and culture, including present day realities
  • Understanding the mission of Mustard Seed Communities
  • Preparing and growing as a team in areas of cultural humility, ability status, andexpectations for group communication and accountability
  • Exploring questions related to faith and justice in the context of our experience
  • Strategizing for raising funds needed for the trip
  • Reflecting on how our experiences lead to personal transformation and practicalaction

 

About Mustard Seed Communities

Mustard Seed Communities began in 1978 just outside Kingston, Jamaica in order to serve the most vulnerable groups living in Jamaica, especially children & adults with disabilities, children affected by HIV/AIDS, and teen mothers with their children. Much of the trip is spent interacting and forming relationships with the Mustard Seed residents and staff. Mustard Seed is organized into different “apostolates,” or homes where the residents live and receive care.

We spend the largest amount of time with the residents with disabilities, and visit other apostolates that serve different communities. No prior experience is necessary.

Team leader, Betsy Fountain featured in the Mustard Seed Communities newsletter.

The Jamaica Mustard Seed service trip will take place over Spring Break, March 2-9, 2024. Students selected for the group must commit to weekly meetings starting in late October.

Student applicants to JMS must:

  • Be a current undergraduate student in good standing at Boston College who will be on campus for the entire upcoming academic year (i.e. not abroad)
  • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Not be participating in another service or immersion trip this academic year
  • Have a valid passport or visa that provides for international travel to Jamaica
  • Commit to help with fundraising for the program
  • Participate in weekly team meetings both before and after spring break
  • Be open-minded, and ready to be challenged physically, mentally, and spiritually

The application process for the Spring 2024 program is closed. Please check back in the fall semester to apply for the Spring 2025 program.

If you have any questions about the Jamaica Mustard Seed trip please contact VSLC Director, Dan Ponsetto

Please consider supporting the team by visiting our donation page. Under Area of Support, select the option: “Jamaica Mustard Seed”