Open AccessCreating Community Capacity through Youth Empowerment: A Case Study of Rural Nicaragua
Author(s) -
Carla Andrea Millares Forno,
Amy Boren
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of youth development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.191
H-Index - 3
eISSN - 2325-4017
pISSN - 2325-4009
DOI - 10.5195/jyd.2017.454
Subject(s) - positive youth development , youth empowerment , club , empowerment , socioeconomic status , work (physics) , youth studies , sociology , political science , economic growth , gender studies , psychology , developmental psychology , population , law , medicine , mechanical engineering , demography , economics , anatomy , engineering
Rural youth development in Nicaragua has experienced a rebirth with the re-introduction of 4-H (4-S in Spanish) after nearly two decades in dormancy. This case study explored 4-S through the eyes of 94 young club members, ages 9 to 13. Using sentence completion methods, youth provided insight into the activities they found most interesting and important. Their responses were then compared with the socioeconomic and demographic realities of the youth. Findings reveal deep connections between youth and their communities and culture. Entrepreneurial activities, agriculture, and work were important to the young people, indicating a strong sense of responsibility for contributing to their families and communities. Understanding 4-S members’ interests and ideas can serve local leaders in developing activities that reflect members’ interests and tap into their strengths.