Meet the People

Jim and Ann Marie Schutz of Fargo, N.D., both teachers, had read about Jamaica’s Meet-the-People program, so when they planned their vacation to Montego Bay they requested a visit to a school. “On the scheduled day, Rose Hamilton picked us up at our resort and drove us to St. James Elementary School,” recalls Jim Schutz. “We got to spend 30 minutes in a 6th grade classroom. As I am a 6th grade teacher in the United States, I had an absolute blast talking with the children. We made an instant connection. Rose showed us some of the sites in the Montego Bay area, and then took us to her house, where we met her husband, Trevor. We had lunch and visited for quite some time. Our experience was one of the true highlights of our trip.”

The Jamaica Tourist Board launched the Meet-the-People program in 1970 as a way for visitors to meet Jamaicans who have similar interests. More than 500 volunteer Jamaican hosts, known as Meet-the-People Ambassadors, have introduced thousands of visitors to the Jamaican way of life.

“We often match families with children of the same age, and the visiting families will go to schools and even eat with the children in the schools,” says Norma Taylor, Meet-the-People Coordinator. “Sometimes our volunteers take visitors home and introduce them to the neighbors.”

Guests may get to meet other families or a fellow musician, doctor, photographer, nurse, teacher or artist, or participate in a wide range of activities such as hiking, shopping at a local craft or food market, visiting a church, or having a chat over Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountain Coffee. Many meetings result in long-lasting friendships, and children often keep in touch with each other and meet again on future visits.

Fern Luecke, a playwright and folklorist, has been a Meet-the-People volunteer in the Treasure Coast area for three years. “For me, it’s important to show visitors real people, the real Jamaica. I want visitors to mingle with people, to see our farms and historic spots. If you just stay in your hotel, you could be anywhere in the world.”

Visitors wishing to take part in the Meet-the-People program can contact the nearest Jamaica Tourist Board or the concierge in their hotel when they arrive. When you know the dates of your trip, you can also arrange a meeting in advance online by going to VisitJamaica.com and filling out the form on the Meet-the-People page, or by calling 876-952-4425 or 876-952-0043. The program is free and there is no cost for any meals or entertainment during the meeting. In true Jamaican fashion, these volunteers offer a hand of friendship and hospitality to visitors who genuinely want to get to know Jamaicans and their country.