Jamaicans across the globe are heading home to communities, schools and families, October 15th – 22nd for Jamaica Homecoming 2005, to celebrate, serve and give thanks, as they make their mark and take their stand in a massive show of solidarity with the nation.
The celebration, which is endorsed by the Jamaica Tourist Board, is also being supported by Air Jamaica and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) which are provided discounted air fares and hotel rooms for visiting ‘Jamaica Homecomers’.
Under the theme ‘Lets Take Our Country Back’, Jamaica Homecoming 2005 will roll out a one-week program of activities inclusive of a roving peace rally called Rally Round Jamaica; national work days to accommodate school and community projects; a Family Day and Family Expo; Hands and Hearts in Praise; receptions, thanksgiving services and parish events such as cultural, sporting and expositions.
The Family Expo, part of a praise and worship event scheduled for Emancipation Park on Friday October 21st will feature services, displays and talks focused on empowering and strengthening family life and the family unit in Jamaica. The roving peace rally makes stops in Mandeville, Montego Bay and Portland before culminating in a grand rally in Kingston. Other events certified as Jamaica Homecoming events and being planned by other groups includes Reunion in the City by the Merritones and a number of food festivals.
According to G. George Watson, Executive Director of Jamaica Homecoming 2005, and Hands Across Jamaica For Righteousness, Jamaicans are also being encouraged to make contact with their alma mater in order to engage in a service project during the week of Jamaica Homecoming 2005. He said options include painting, donating furniture, equipment, books and cash, or even motivating students. Interested groups are being asked to register their project online at www.jamaicahomecoming.net after they have made all their arrangements, so that their efforts can be publicly acknowledged, so that they can be placed on key Homecoming invitation lists and qualify for the prize for most innovative school project.
Mr. Watson said the multi sector national committee of Jamaica Homecoming has created opportunities to reinforce the theme of Jamaicans taking back their country within their immediate spheres of influence, namely, family, schools and communities in order to make an impact on the nation. “With Jamaica Homecoming, we are challenging Jamaicans to believe they have what it takes to take their country back, starting where it matters most and where individual Jamaicans have the most contact and influence – families, schools and communities.”
Jamaica Homecoming 2005 is a project of Hands Across Jamaica For Righteousness (HANDS) under the patronage of His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke, Governor General of Jamaica. A multi sector committee chaired by Dr, Trevor Hamilton, international management consultant has been meeting over the past few months to plan the celebration. Other organizations represented include the Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, building societies, hotel and shipping industry, the police and the Church.
