Welcome to Friends of Jamaica

Supporting small-scale development projects in the land of wood and water.

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Will Thornton III

February 24th marks the birthday of Will Thornton III—a day we choose to celebrate by looking forward and investing in the youth of Jamaica, just as Will did.

In honor of his birthday, Friends of Jamaica (FOJ) is proud to partner with the Will Thornton III Memorial Foundation for a special giving event. For a limited time, all donations made through this page will be directed specifically to the Will Thornton Fund to support impactful youth initiatives across the island.

About the Foundation

The Will Thornton III Memorial Foundation was established in 2019 to honor and continue the legacy of Will Thornton, a Group 77 volunteer that served from 2006 to 2009. He lived and worked in Barrett Town, near Montego Bay, and was placed at Barrett Town All Age School and SOS Children’s Village, a care facility for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children. The Foundation will support youth programs across Jamaica for initiatives that nurture learning, creativity, play, mentorship, and new opportunities that capture Will’s spirit and passion to serve.

How You Can Participate

Your contribution today directly honors Will’s memory by providing resources to the communities he loved. Whether it’s fostering creativity in a classroom or supporting mentorship at a care facility, your gift ensures that Will’s spirit of service continues to thrive.

  • Donate: Use the link below to contribute to the Will Thornton Fund.

  • Share: Help us spread the word by sharing this campaign with fellow RPCVs and friends of Jamaica.

  • Celebrate: Take a moment today to remember Will’s impact and the joy he brought to Barrett Town.

Donate to the Will Thornton Fund today

See Your Impact

Thanks to your support, we’ve funded meaningful community projects across Jamaica. Your contributions help make these impactful initiatives possible.

On November 25, 2025, Friends of Jamaica, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Downtown Kingston, delivered a much-needed shipment...

In December 2024, Friends of Jamaica collaborated with the Jamaica Trail Network (JTN) and The Artvark Foundation to support Conliffe...

In 2024, Friends of Jamaica (FOJ) awarded a grant to the Chesscot United Youth Services to provide the Ujama Football...

On October 29, 2024, Friends of Jamaica and the United Way of Jamaica partnered to provide Hurricane Beryl relief funds...

At Friends of Jamaica, we are proud to support initiatives that make a tangible difference in Jamaican communities. The Hayfield...

Cottage Farmer's Group is a grassroots farmer's group that works in rural Jamaica to improve the lives of those in...

Click the button below to view past projects:

Meet our Team

Meet the people who make up the Friends of Jamaica board.

Click on the button to access the FOJ Executive Body and Advisory Board members:

Our Team

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Friends of Jamaica is a public charity registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. Its EIN is 35-2560337. It is also an affiliate group of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).

NPCA champions lifelong commitment to Peace Corps ideals by connecting, engaging and promoting its members and affiliate groups as they continue to make a difference in communities in the U.S. and abroad. NPCA is also dedicated to advocating for, contributing to, and supporting the betterment of the Peace Corps. Visit NPCA to learn more.

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