Junior Master Gardener 4-H Community Club brings leadership skills to Jamaican girls through Leonard Howell JMG 4H Leadership Training
Leadership training is more accessible than ever to girls in Jamaica thanks to the Junior Master Gardener 4H Community Club’s, Leonard Howell 4H Leadership Training, named in honor of one of Jamaica’s most esteemed and unrecognized leaders.
The 2 day JMG leadership training will target girls from St Ann, St Mary, and St James and the will bring middle- and high-school students together for hands-on skill sessions and critical dialogue with like-minded student leaders and higher-education professionals.
“The JMG Community 4-H Club’s Leadership program is looking to fulfill Jamaica 4H’s mission of providing education, research, and outreach in youth development,” The Howell JMG Leadership Training Director, Karen Francis said. “This is how the Leadership training originated: We, the members of Jamaica’s Education Reform Committee asked, ‘How can we engage more youth to show up authentically for themselves, as well as for their communities so that after leaving our training they continue to make impact in their local communities?’”
The first Howell Leadership Round-up will be held exclusively for girls, during National 4H Week, in honor of International Day of the Girl Child on October 5, 2024 in St James, Jamaica.
The Howell Leadership Round-up then continues with monthly leadership trainings for other 4H members, home school students and other youth organizations.
1st weekend of the Month- Boys
3 weekend of the month- Girls
Special workshops for parents and other responsible adults will also be held during the leadership trainings.
While leadership is a frequent buzzword in youth development and many other aspects of life, Francis said it is something both her, through 4H, and Chase Neil through his Cadet Program have definite ideas about how to foster positive youth development in young people.
“This year we are emphasizing community collaboration by partnering with churches, schools, and local non-profit organizations to expand our reach. Before, during, and after the training we will highlight our community partners.
The leadership trainings are part of a broader effort which is dedicated to equipping middle- and high-school students with the skills to influence Jamaica as better leaders, positive role models, and engaged citizens.
The training program was founded in honor of the late Leonard Howell, whose leadership, philanthropy, and entrepreneurial spirit has made a lasting impact on Jamaican and international culture through the Rastafari Brand.
It aims to set forth the principles of self knowledge, self reliance, and self governance that Howell espoused to empower students to lead with humility, serve with compassion, and inspire others through integrity.
The Leonard Howell JMG 4H Leadership Training is just one way 4H Youth Development will help young Jamaicans gain the knowledge and skills to be responsible, productive and contributing members of society.
This mission is accomplished by creating safe and inclusive learning environments, the involvement of caring adults, and utilizing the expertise and resources of Jamaica 4H, College of Agricultural, Science, and Education CASE, RADA, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
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