Duke of Earle stages annual 'Back to Jamaica Homecoming Tour'

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Sunrise, Florida - Bevan Earle, affectionately known as "the Duke", displays his Jamaican pride wherever he goes and he makes it clear that he loves his native land. Annually, the Florida radio host and newspaper publisher demonstrates his love of country by hosting his "Back to Jamaica Homecoming Tour".

Begun in 2002 - with the support of Gordon "Butch" Stewart, chairman of Sandals and back then Air Jamaica - the tour was conceived by the pair as a way to reconnect Jamaicans all around the diaspora, as well as Jamaican descendents who had never been to their homeland.

Too often, opportunity, cost and other factors preclude many Jamaicans from stepping on native soil, so the annual tour has become a memorable way for travellers to see the island nation through the eyes of a proud native son. Each year, Jamaicans from across the Americas, of all ages, come together to participate in the homecoming tour. Many have been there every year since the tour was created, and look forward to this reunion and sojourn "back to the yard". Some travellers had not been "back to the yard" in over twenty years, often youth in the group have never visited this breathtaking island ever before, while others in the group go to Jamaica every opportunity that comes their way.

Each year, Earle selects a different part of the island to explore, and while there, those on the tour are treated to a taste of Jamaica, Sandals style. This year the tour will call Beaches Sandy Bay in Negril home, from September 11-16.
Activities always include fun-filled nights under the Jamaica stars, day trips exploring historical sites around the island, often discovering little-known natural treasures and historical facts, and most importantly, giving back.

While on island, every year Bevan Earle makes it his duty to assist some organisation, in some way, typically a school. This year is no different. Two schools in the western region that need computers will be selected, and will each receive seven keys for a computer lab.

Additionally, Earle will be launching the Jamaican-American Youth Project while on island, a project which is an extension of his decade-old Caribbean American Foundation (CAF).

The CAF offers a wide range of services to Caribbean nationals throughout the United States and the diaspora, particularly focused on the human development needs of Jamaicans. Services and programmes offered by CAF encompass education, human services, health and wellness, youth development, economic development, housing and tourism.

"We are grateful to Sandals and Air Jamaica for being so gracious to us, and we sincerely appreciate the warm hospitality, and this splendid opportunity to come home. We want to express our sincere thanks to Mr Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, the management and staff of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, and all of the staff of Air Jamaica. They all work to make the homecoming a trip to remember," a spokesman for the group said.

Schools interested in obtaining computers should call the Duke of Earle at (876) 630-2020 or (876) 819-5259.