Spirit of volunteerism alive and well

Scores of educational institutions, childcare and health facilities, and infirmaries across the island benefited from the Jamaica 4-H Clubs National Leaders' Association (NALA) Week of Kindness activities in November.

Each year in November, the group dedicates one week of reaching out to community institutions, with hundreds of 4-H members carrying out voluntary work, such as cleaning of the facilities, entertaining the elderly and distributing gifts to students.

President of NALA Shernette Powell said the spirit of volunteerism was high and the members worked very hard "to ensure that through network, we build communities".

For her part, matron at the Manchester Infirmary, Nedene Collins-White, said residents at the facility had their hair combed, their nails cut, and received many gifts.

"We are very grateful, and we always look forward to them coming," she said.

Collins-White added that the 4-H club members provided entertainment for the residents, and the interaction lifted their spirits. "It was a good day for us at the infirmary," the matron said.

Chairman of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Hidran McKulsky, who addressed the group's recent annual general meeting at the 4-H Training Centre in Clarendon, said major changes for the organisation are on the horizon, but that they will only be implemented after a series of consultations with stakeholders.

Meanwhile, executive director of the 4-H Clubs, Dr Ronald Blake, reported that last year, more than 500 young persons received support with agricultural projects, and the organisation is finalising plans to award a record number of scholarships to youth across the island.

"We need to stimulate the young people to get into farming," he said.