Pamputtae donates to children in need

Dancehall artiste Pamputtae says giving back isn't just about donations, it's about making a real difference in the lives of children and adults with special needs. During a recent visit to the My Father's House branch of the Mustard Seed Communities in Kingston, she not only contributed essential items, but also shared moments of joy and connection with the residents.

Through her Single Mother Foundation, the entertainer made a heartfelt contribution to children and adults with disabilities.

"It was just a joy to put a smile on the children's and the disabled people dem face because they need love too, just like everybody else," Pamputtae said. The artiste has a personal connection to the cause, as her sister was once a resident of a Mustard Seed home, and she also helps care for her stepdaughter in Canada, who has a disability.

"Mi dweet from mi heart, and it's just the right thing to do. But caring fi dem a supm weh yuh affi love because it can become stressful, suh yuh affi dweet wid love," Pamputtae stressed. She said that she adores children, and has a special love for those with special needs.

"Even while I was there [on Tuesday], one of the disabled child seh, 'Aunty, I appreciate you, and remember that there's a God...no matter what we got to be grateful because God is good.' Him mek eye wata come a mi eye. Suh sometimes it's not what you do, it's just the thought," she opined.

The artiste said with the assistance and contribution from a few friends and local companies, she was able to donate a number of items, including food, toiletries and clothing. Tamara Burns, mission manager for the Mustard Seed Communities in Jamaica, said the entity thrives on donations.

"We are a charitable organisation and we don't have income-generating projects, so we thrive on the goodwill of others out there," said Burns. She expressed delight at having Pamputtae, a hardcore singjay, sharing a little love with the residents.

"Oh my goodness! It was nice having somebody from the entertainment space. Though we've had it in the past, it's always a good thing to get donations. This is how we survive and it helps largely in the daily operations of our homes [because] just here at My Father's Home, which is one of the 13 locations, we have about 35 residents here and we have to provide for their needs every day. So whatever we get, is a big, big contribution," shared Burns. She noted that the residents of the Mustard Seed Communities mainly suffer from mental and physical disabilities.

"Ninety-five per cent of our residents are largely dependent on us, because 95 per cent of them are abandoned, so we are the only parents they know. So when these community people, like Pamputtae, and friends come in, they become family. They (residents) don't know what a family is or to have somebody out there thinking about them, contributing to their needs and taking care of them - so it gives them hope knowing that the community cares," Burns expressed.

February 9 to 15 is being celebrated as National Foster Care Week, and there's usually an increase in activities involving the adoption and visiting of children within these facilities. But Burns noted that the adoption rate is not high for children's within the Mustard Seed Communities, as it is more difficult to care for them.

"We've had instances in the past where families have adopted children with special disabilities, but not on a high scale," she said. Burns also explained that there's a system referred to as 'sponsor parents' within the homes, where the "children remain in our care, but they (the parents) take care of all their needs".