| During the late 1950s and through the 1960s the UK | | | | thought you will return back to the UK for example |
| positively encouraged West Indians under their wings | | | | think again. Some illnesses may not allow you to fly |
| to find fortunes in the UK. England at this time was | | | | and without a permanent address in the UK you may |
| short of labour and needed workers to fill the more | | | | have lost your entitlement for free care. |
| menial posts. West Indians travelled in their droves in | | | | Many Caribbean Islands want returnees. |
| ships landing at the docks to a new life in the cold | | | | Caribbean governments have seen the benefit of |
| and the rain. These workers settled ,buying houses, | | | | their countryman returning back to the warm shores |
| having children and building up pensions.Many always | | | | of the Cribbean. They bring foreign money with them |
| thought of moving back home one day. This dream | | | | and will act to help the economy. |
| of returning home is a calling from the heart. Why | | | | Returing home to Jamaica |
| should they stay when after all the work is done? | | | | In recognition of the need to facilitate the relocation |
| Their children are grown and have lives for | | | | and resettlement of those Jamaicans who return |
| themselves. Many have bought property and now | | | | home to retire, invest, work or share experiences |
| have substantial sums of money as a base to move | | | | and expertise gained abroad, the Government of |
| back home. Just think what a person could buy in | | | | Jamaica has instituted a number of procedures aimed |
| Jamaica for the price of a London home for example. | | | | at simplifying the process. The Returning Residents |
| Think twice the dream may not come true | | | | Facilitation Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and |
| Having paid taxes and contributed to the economy | | | | Foreign Trade in Kingston was established to provide |
| many West Indian retirees have reasonable pensions. | | | | guidance on import regulations and immigration |
| This income will mean even more in the Caribbean | | | | procedures to Jamaicans who wish to relocate to |
| and returnees are set for comfortable retirements | | | | Jamaica. The primary mission of the Returning |
| back home. But serious thought needs to be given to | | | | Residents Facilitation Unit is the effective |
| a move back home. Returning home to the Caribbean | | | | administration of the Returning Residents Programme |
| should not be a knee jerk action even though this | | | | through the establishment of an environment |
| was the master plan. Many returnees have not | | | | conducive to the return and reintegration of |
| visited home for many years. The memory of home | | | | Jamaicans overseas and the provision of related |
| may be viewed with rose coloured glasess. Home | | | | services. The Facilitation Unit also liaises closely with |
| may not be how they remember. Many friends may | | | | the following Ministries, Departments and Agencies: |
| not be there. A returnees culture may now not be | | | | Don't burn your bridges |
| the culture of back home. Living in country for most | | | | It is good advice for those considering returning |
| of your life will change a person and those returning | | | | home not to just sell everything and go. Careful |
| home may not be as happy with life as they thought. | | | | planning which leaves a home that can be rented is |
| Retiring to home the biggest consideration | | | | the best way to return home. This can be achieved |
| As we get older our health becomes even more of | | | | by downsizing. Selling a large family home and buying |
| an issue. Health care on some islands in the Caribbean | | | | an apartment for example has many benefits . It |
| is below the standard that many West Indians living | | | | would release cash to buy a property back home. It |
| in Europe have become used to. Paying for your | | | | would also allow the purchase of a home that could |
| health care is probably the best alternative but this | | | | be let. This would provide further income and as |
| often has a high price. Some insurance companies will | | | | place to come back to if all goes wrong . |
| happily take your money for healthcare. But if you | | | | Returing home is set to be a happy time for those |
| have suffered an illness in the past they may well | | | | who have worked to gain financial independance. |
| opt you out if a similar problem arises in the future. | | | | Preparation and having a contingency plan is the key |
| So care and understanding needs to be applied to | | | | to future security for those retiring back home. |
| this issue. If you became ill whilst back home and | | | | |