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

Jamaica Mustard Seed

is aservice trip that travels to Jamaica over spring break. A team of Ҵý students will serve for one week with Mustard Seed Communities, a non-profit ministry committed to caring for the Jamaica’s most vulnerable individuals.

Applications are due on Friday, October 18. Students selected for the team will meet weekly throughout the year to fundraise and prepare for the experience. Team meetings will be dedicated to:

  • Learning about Jamaican history and culture, including present day realities.
  • Learning about the mission of Mustard Seed Communities.
  • Working together to raise necessary funding to support the trip.
  • Building community as a team, and committing to personal growth in areas of cultural humility, empathy, communication, and accountability.
  • Exploring questions related to faith and justice in the context of our shared experience.
  • Reflecting on how our experiences might lead to practical action.

About 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.

Jamaica Mustard Seed will travel over spring break, March 1-8, 2025. Two Information Sessions will be offered for interested students:

Wednesday, September 25, 7:15 - 8:15 PM, McElroy 115
Thursday, September 26, 7:15 - 8:15 PM, McElroy 115

Applications are due by Friday, October 18, 2024.

Students applying to Jamaica Mustard Seed:

  • Must be a current student in good standing at Boston College or Messina College.
  • Must attend mandatory weekly team meetings both before and after the trip.
  • Must be on campus for the entire upcoming academic year (i.e. not abroad).
  • Should demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Cannot participate on a second service/immersion trip this academic year.
  • Must have a valid passport or visa that provides for international travel to Jamaica.
  • Must commit to the fundraising requirements of the program.
  • Should come with an open mind and heart, ready to be challenged.

If you have any questions about the Jamaica Mustard Seed trip please contact VSLC Director, Dan Ponsettoat daniel.ponsetto@bc.edu

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