FOP brings education, health and culture into focus for 2026 homecoming
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The Friends of Porus Association (FOP) is preparing to welcome residents, returning alumni and members of the Jamaican diaspora back to Manchester for its 2026 homecoming celebrations, with a three-day programme aimed at strengthening education, healthcare and community development.
Scheduled for July 23-25 under the theme: “Welcome Back – Homecoming 2026,” the annual event will feature a student workshop, parenting seminar, community street festival and a free community health fair, continuing the organisation’s long-standing commitment to improving lives in and around Porus.
President Carson Robinson said the homecoming is about far more than entertainment.
“Our mission has always been to give back to the community in meaningful ways. While homecoming is an opportunity for families and friends to reconnect, it is also a platform to invest in our people through education, health and community engagement,” Robinson said.
The celebrations begin on July 23 with the association’s flagship student workshop, where students will participate in leadership sessions, a mathematics competition and receive back-to-school supplies. A parenting seminar has also been added to equip parents with practical tools to better support their children’s development.
Activities continue on July 24 with the return of the Community Street Festival, which debuted last year. The family-friendly event will feature games, giveaways, community trivia, food competitions and live entertainment, with reggae entertainer Daniel “Chino” McGregor among the headline performers.
The weekend concludes on July 25 with the foundation’s annual community health fair, offering free health screenings, medical consultations and back-to-school medical examinations for students.
Robinson credited the organisation’s continued growth to the unwavering support of Jamaicans living overseas, whose financial contributions and volunteer efforts have helped sustain the foundation’s community programmes over the past three decades.