<p>CCCD Knockpatrick campus building with Early Childhood Department painted on the walls above children pictures.</p>
About CCCD
Through our dedicated programs and initiatives, we aim to break down barriers and build a more inclusive and supportive environment for the Deaf in Jamaica.
Our Mission and Vision
Our Mission
Empowering the Deaf community for a brighter future
Our Vision
Empowering the Deaf community for a brighter future
Our Beliefs
We believe:
- In One God, who has revealed Himself in Scripture through the Old and New Testaments as three Persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- God is Creator and Sustainer of all seen and unseen. God is eternal, unchanging, all-knowing, and good. God is continually at work guiding His creation.
- In God the Father – who loves each of us with unconditional and eternal love.
- In Jesus – the Son of God, Word became flesh. Jesus is our Savior – He came to earth fully God and fully man – He suffered, died, was buried, and rose victorious over sin and death. Through Jesus and His perfect obedience to God, we are offered forgiveness and redemption.
- In the Holy Spirit – sent by the Father and Son to convict and renew. Counselor, teacher, comforter, helper, advocate – uniting us for the glory of God.
- That following Jesus Christ brings new life and we are empowered to live as we were created to as sons and daughters of God, accomplishing all for His glory.
- In the promises of God giving us a hope and future, both now and life everlasting – Where someday every tribe, tongue, and nation will join together to worship God and enjoy Him forever.
Our Board Members
Our Board of Directors brings together dedicated leaders with diverse professional backgrounds in ministry, education, and business. Together, we serve to advance the mission of the Christian faith through faithful stewardship and spiritual guidance.
Leon Samms
CEO and Company Secretary
Leon is a trained project management and development specialist with over 7 years of experience, and with over 15 years of Christian Ministry experience. His heart for Ministry has led him to join the CCCD Family in 2021 as its CEO. He hold a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Technology, Jamaica and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (community and rural development), from the Yeungnam University, South Korea.
Ben Beukema
Director
Ben’s first trip to Jamaica to serve with the ministry was in 2003 when he was still in high school. He began serving full-time with the ministry in January of 2012 as a missionary at the Jamaica Deaf Village. In 2018 he changed roles and began leading the CCCD US Office. He has served on the board of directors since December 2019.
Kent Mogler
Treasurer, Finance Committee chairperson
Kent’s engagement with CCCD cam about through his missionary engagement with Harvest Call Jamaica. He and his wife Mary reside in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has 42 years of professional finance and operations positions, all within the food production industry. Kent enjoys mentoring and supporting the CCCD finance team members at each campus.
History of CCCD
The early days for CCCD in Jamaica.
Founded in 1958
In February of 1957, Reverend Willis Ethridge and his wife, Mildred, left their home in Ontario, Canada. Their mission was to start the Christian Deaf Fellowship Center in Kingston, Jamaica. Upon arrival in Jamaica, they found a greater need than they had imagined, and felt the Lord calling them to open a school. They were soon joined by Paula Montgomery, the first Deaf American missionary.
Together, the three missionaries were offered a one-year lease of a property in Manchester Parish, Jamaica, where they opened a school with eight students and a staff of three.
The Knockpatrick Campus
The school continued to gain momentum, and in September 1962 moved to its present location in Knockpatrick. By 1967 there were 40 students, and today this beautiful campus serves around 70 students.
A CCCD Deaf Student and her Mother thankful to God.
CCCD Deaf Students learning to be chefs in the CADE Program.
The Montego Bay Campus
In 1990, a second campus was added in Montego Bay, Jamaica, built on 7.5 acres of generously donated land. This school opened in August 1994 with three children. Today it serves around 40 students in our furthering education program (CADE).
The Kingston Campus
In July 1994, the CCCD reopened the old Christian Deaf Fellowship campus in the heart of Kingston as a new CCCD school. Kingston is home to half the population of Jamaica, as well as many Deaf who do not have access to the Knockpatrick and MoBay campuses. Today, the Kingston campus serves around 40 students and is home to the Deaf Can! Coffee enterprise.
Two very proud CCCD Deaf Students.
We are thankful for Jamaica Deaf Village!
The Jamaica Deaf Village
The three school campuses continued to run smoothly, and graduated class after class — but the Deaf graduating from high school still struggled to find employment. Employers did not have the time or resources to devote to learning to communicate with the Deaf, and did not hire them.
No job means no money, and no money means that, despite their education and potential, the Deaf graduates were unable to provide for their own basic needs. Many turned to desperate means to obtain food, clothing, and shelter.
And so in June of 1984, the CCCD ministry began development of the 100-acre Jamaica Deaf Village, which would serve as a safe place where Deaf adults and their families could live in community, attend worship, and find meaningful employment.
The Future
We have the privilege of knowing, serving, and trusting in a God who loves us. Help us to spread the word of Jesus Christ to the Deaf in Jamaica. You can do this in many ways:
- Keep us operating by giving to our General Fund
- Sponsor one of the children on our campuses
- Bring a team to visit and help us continue to build and grow our campuses
- Continue to spread the word of the work we’re doing here in Jamaica
We hope that, with your help, the mission of the CCCD can continue to expand and grow.
The Deaf Village is the pride and and joy for the Jamaican Deaf Community.