BY ERIKA ANDERSON

Staff Writer

KINGSTON, Jamaica--When Brendan Smith went on a mission trip to Jamaica as a senior at St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, he had no idea the country would one day become his home.

A 1992 graduate of St. Pius, Smith now lives in Jamaica, dedicating his life to teaching the children of the Mustard Seed Community.

Growing up in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Atlanta, Smith said it was his parents who taught him to serve.

“They really taught me what it means to sacrifice and to give of myself,” he said.

After graduating in 1996 with an English degree from Quincy College in Quincy, Ill., Smith went back to Jamaica in February 1997 and worked with the Missionaries of the Poor, an order of priests in Kingston.

“People appreciate things down here more than anywhere I’ve ever been,” he said. “It makes me realize how trivial things are back home.”

Smith eventually connected with Father Gregory Ramkissoon, founder of the Mustard Seed Community, and has since been working with the children at Jerusalem.

Smith works with the children on the alphabet, reading and sentence structure. He said it is important that they develop self-esteem. “My goal is not to lead them to college, but just to feel better about themselves and be proud of themselves. That’s what it’s all about.”

Smith receives only a small food allowance from the Mustard Seed Community. Though his college student loans that have been deferred will soon need to be paid, Smith said he is not concerned.

“I just don’t worry about problems that will come up in the future,” he said. “I’ve learned to appreciate each day.”

Father Ramkissoon said the children have made great improvements under Smith’s direction, but Smith insists that he is the one who has learned the most. “If any of these kids smile because you did something for them, it really means something,” he said. “I’ve learned more from these kids than I could ever teach.”