Juliet Holness Lauds Work of Jamaica 4-H Clubs

Wife of the Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, has lauded the work of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs in encouraging young people, to volunteer and contribute to nation building.

She was speaking at the National Leaders’ Association (NALA) annual general meeting held on November 30 at the Denbigh 4-H Clubs Training and Production Centre in Clarendon.

The NALA is one of three Voluntary Arms of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs. This group numbers over 5000 volunteers, (comprising mostly of Teachers) who lead 4-H clubs in schools and communities.

Mrs. Holness noted that other organisations in the country could benefit from the culture of the 4-H Clubs.

“If it wasn’t for that level of volunteerism, if it wasn’t for that level of sense of wanting to build country, and future, I could never be here, and many of you as leaders, would not be here,” she said.

Mrs. Holness stated that in her capacity as Member of Parliament for East Rural St. Andrew, she has reached out to the NALA to assist with starting more clubs in schools, churches and community groups.

“Community groups already have the interest in community development, but being able to do it through an organization, like the 4-H Clubs, would be a plus,” Mrs. Holness stated.

She also credited the 4-H Clubs for nurturing the entrepreneurial skills of young people.

Meanwhile, Parish President for St. Andrew, Maureen Smith, was awarded the NALA Leader of the Year award, while Antonio Wright was placed second, and Sharon Thomas placed third.

Also, several of the volunteers were awarded bursaries for exemplary work in communities.

The Jamaica 4-H Clubs is a youth training organization committed to developing outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s society.