THE Grand Jamaica Homecoming is a national Canadian ‘movement’ that encourages, inspires and informs Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica to come home and make a valuable contribution in anyway they can. Last week saw it hosting a gala event in Toronto, which was well attended by the Jamaican-Canadian community.

Under the patronage of Jamaican Canadian philanthropists and business titans Michael Lee Chin and Raymond Chang, the Grand Jamaica Homecoming celebrates 50 years of Jamaica’s independence.

According to Lee Chin, who is chairman of NCB Bank, “this amazing movement, the Grand Jamaica Homecoming serves not only to reconnect Jamaicans in the Diaspora with the land of their birth but it will impact economically, socially and psychologically on Jamaicans in Jamaica. The Diaspora is important because it’s the first concentric circle of investors… as they understand the landscape and will not be deterred by the difference between perception and reality. Ray and I are pleased to be part of this movement.”

The initiative was conceived almost ten years ago by Cynthia Reyes – a Jamaican who has made Canada her home for the past 30 years. Reyes, a former Canadian Broadcasting Corporation journalist, saw the idea of homecoming as a way for Jamaicans all over the world to reconnect with their roots, and for friends of Jamaica to experience the island in a special way.

“I see Ray’s and Michael’s combined patronage of Homecoming as a huge statement of love and support for Jamaica. It says you can be a strong leader in Canada and never forget the country of your birth, despite the struggles it has had these past 50 years. They have a passion for Jamaica’s potential, and they have strong connections with the island,” says Reyes.

Speaking with Sunday Finance from Toronto, Ray Chang said: “Our tourism product has predominantly centred on the all-inclusive concept. With about three million Jamaicans living outside the country, the diaspora is a market that we should be tapping into. Many people returning to Jamaica cannot reside at relatives for whatever reason, whether it is space or financial constraints. If there were special rates at the hotels, I believe many would consider that option and chose not to place too much of a burden on relatives and friends. It would also help occupancy levels in Jamaica.

“Jamaica Homecoming is attempting to link the Diaspora with opportunities in Jamaica. If a Jamaican-Canadian wanted to build a house back home, who are the best contractors one can use? Where do you go for legal expertise? On the other hand if you want to supply goods and services to the Canadian market, how do you go about successfully putting your business on a sound footing? How do you navigate the bureaucracy? These are areas in which we can help all Jamaicans.”

According to Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Canada Sheila Sealy Monteith, “Jamaicans in Canada are extremely supportive of their homeland and have never really lost touch with Jamaica, and the Homecoming is a huge way in which they’ll support and reconnect.”

The Grand Jamaica Homecoming, under the Come Home Jamaica – It’s in you! campaign, includes a number of activities including a souvenir ‘passport’ information guide; an interactive website; special Come Home Jamaica island tours, exciting golf packages on Jamaica’s premier PGA rated golf courses; an original song, Come Home Jamaica, produced by cultural icon, Grub Cooper of Fab 5 which will be available worldwide; writing, photo and video competitions and much more.

“We are excited and energized by the Grand Jamaica Homecoming, as thousands of Jamaicans and their friends, from all over the world, will come home to experience a culture of warmth, friendship and hospitality that is unique to our small island state,” says Jamaica’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Olivia Grange.

Seth George Ramocan, Jamaica’s Consul General to Toronto, says everyday he meets Jamaicans who are anxious to make the “independence pilgrimage” back to their homeland.

Members of Jamaica’s private sector have also come on board, describing the Grand Homecoming as an innovative and natural way of celebrating 50 years of independence.

The Grand Jamaica Homecoming is proud to be associated with The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ); National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited; Jamaica National Building Society; GraceKennedy Limited; GraceKennedy Remittance Services Limited (Western Union); SuperClubs Breezes Resorts; The University of the West Indies; Food For the Poor Canada; Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education – P.A.C.E. (Canada); The Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA); Music composer Asley ‘Grub’ Cooper and Photographer / Publisher Ray Chen.

The Grand Jamaica Homecoming initiative was put together by committed and dedicated volunteers in Canada and Jamaica, including: Elizabeth Buchanan Hind, Carl Chang, Rose Chin, Amanda Chin-Loy, Karen Francis, Lily Lubianski, Samantha Mahfood, Gloria Moodie, Jermaine Nairne, Marguerite Orane, Fahad Pinto, Lauren Reyes-Grange, Norma Sale, Sandra Scott, Anne Shaw, and Barbara Taylor. The team is led by co-chairs Cynthia Reyes, Antoinette Spooner and Donette Chin-Loy.

Jamaica Homecoming Canada that is non-partisan, not-for-profit organization with a vision to create a powerful movement for the Jamaican Diaspora and friends of Jamaica that will reconnect them to the island.

Over the next year or two the intention is to establish Jamaica Homecoming as a viable avenue / mechanism for supporting the broader mandates of Jamaican groups to impact sectors such as education, tourism, real estate, commercial development and investment.