WESTERN BUREAU:

THE FRIENDS of Whitehouse Montego Bay will be celebrating its first annual homecoming this week.

Homecoming Week activities were scheduled to begin last Saturday and will continue to Wednesday.

According to Milton Russell, chairman of the organisation, all the proceeds from this year's event will go towards the construction of a homework centre in the community.

"When you look at the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) and CXC results in the community, it could be better. That is why we are so committed to this, because we would like to see some better results from the community," he said.

"One of the goals of the homecoming is to bring everybody into the community. There are many of us, unfortunately, for one reason or another, who have migrated to do various things but, no matter what, our hearts and minds are always back in Whitehouse," he added.

Activities

After the weekend's activities, Wednesday will feature a 'bun-finger' and fish-tea event, an early morning fishing tournament and an evening cocktail reception. Thursday's activities will include an awards ceremony to recognise outstanding academic achievements. Friday's schedule includes the staging of a six-a-side competition, a senior citizens appreciation dinner and a bingo party.

The week will culminate on Saturday with a knockout football competition featuring Wadadah, Seba, Seaview, Fogo, Village and Granville football clubs and a cross-country marathon.

The Whitehouse community lies adjacent to the Sangster International Airport along the old Kent Avenue Road in Montego Bay. The small fishing village has a population of approximately 350 and dates back to the 1920s. The Friends of Whitehouse Montego Bay group, currently has a membership of more than 180 and is made up of expatriates in North America, Europe, Australia and other territories, most of whom will be returning to the island for the event.