JWN Foundation recently expanded its ‘agro-preneurship’ programme to the Spanish Town Road industrial community in the Corporate Area.

Following the programme’s successful launch in St Elizabeth in 2021, and further expansion in Clarendon in 2023, the foundation is now bringing the initiative to Kingston, aiming to foster economic growth and agricultural development within the Spanish Town Road communities.

The recent 2024 staging has seen the distribution of chicken starter kits and essential food items to over 100 farming families in both Clarendon and Kingston, marking a significant increase in the number of beneficiaries since the programme’s inception.

Tanikie McClarthy Allen, CEO, JWN Foundation, remarked: “This initiative started a vision to empower community members through sustainable agribusiness practices. Today we are witnessing the expansion of the fruits of our labour as more families embark on the path to self-reliance and entrepreneurial success. The expansion to Kingston is not just a milestone for us, but a great signal to the opportunities for aspiring agro-preneurs across Jamaica.”

According to Marsha Thompson, a resident from Gimme-Me-Bit, Clarendon, “This initiative has impacted my life so much, because this is what I do for a living for over 5 years now, and this contribution from the JWN Foundation is very timely because the last time I bought some chickens a mongoose came in and ate them all, so this is now an opportunity for me to build back. Now I can continue to put this into my restaurant business at Vernamfield,” she shared.

Principal of Gimme-Me-Bit Primary Carlene Anderson waits in line for her baby chicks after already collecting a feed pan, vitamins, etc at the handover.

Samantha Blake from the JWN Foundation attends to Dave Brown from Seaview Gardens during a recent visit to distribute the ‘agropreneurship’ items to the community members.