Fulton Calls on Private Sector to get more Involved in 4-H Activities

Executive Director of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Lenworth Fulton has issued an appeal to the island’s corporate leaders to become more involved in the activities of the club, which provides a viable alternative for young Jamaicans.
In an interview with JIS News, Mr. Fulton explained that participation was one positive way of making a difference in the lives of these young persons, who could be steered away from unwholesome or unsupervised activities, which in most cases led to involvement in criminal activities.
The 4-H clubs offer training to young persons in several areas, including agriculture, peace building, conflict resolution and various life skills.
Mr. Fulton encouraged the private sector to use the established network that the 4-H clubs and other similar institutions offer to get to the young people. “It’s time to use some of the record-breaking profits they make annually, and get with a programme that can manage youth development,” he told JIS News.
“Young people need assistance, they need computer laboratories, specialised teachers to empower them toward productivity, guidance towards career identification and development, and training in life development skills, all part of the 4-H Club’s mandate,” he added.
Mr. Fulton noted that the club was restricted by budgetary constraints, and pointed out that the training needs continued to increase.
“What I need from the private sector is assistance to fund projects to assist young people and to create a sound workforce,” he said.
The Executive Director said he would be approaching private sector companies with proposals to manage various programmes on their behalf, as on their own they could only get into one or two schools at a time, whereas the 4-H club, through its wide network and involvement in nearly all the schools and many communities, could do a more efficient job of reaching the target audience.
Mr. Fulton pointed out that the club, which has been in operation for 65 years, spent about $150 million to service schools across the island through 22 contact points and centres, with a mobile staff of 45 members offering an alternative to young Jamaicans in a caring manner.