Empowering Students Through Head, Heart, Hands & Health
4-H is a global student development organization that empowers students by teaching them leadership, citizenship, and leadership development through a hands-on, “learn by doing” approach. The 4-H name represents four values that guide the organization: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.
Head – Knowledge & Thinking
Developing deeper knowledge, critical thinking, and reasoning skills to prepare student for real-life decision-making and leadership.
Heart – Values & Empathy
Nurturing compassion, appreciation, and positive attitudes that strengthen emotional intelligence and healthy relationships.
Hands – Skills for Life
Teaching practical skills and the habit of doing through hands-on learning in agriculture, leadership, and service.
Health – Body & Well-being
Fostering healthy living through nutrition, exercise, self-care, and emotional wellness to build strong, capable individuals.
Our Focus
In Liberia, we focus on School-Based Agricultural Education (SBAE), offering students an opportunity to learn about agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community development.
The program empowers students from grades 3 to 12, fostering skills that help them become self-sufficient citizens who can contribute to the country’s agricultural and economic development. By providing practical education, 4-H helps students face challenges like food insecurity, poverty, and unemployment, offering a path to a brighter, sustainable future.
Currently, 4-H has its intervention in 6 of Liberia’s 15 counties, targeting about 4,000 students each year. The names of the counties are Lofa, Bong, Nimba, Margibi, Bomi, and Gbarpolu Counties. We desire to cover the entire 15 counties of Liberia reaching more students when funding is available.
Our Impact
Currently, 4-H has its intervention in 6 of Liberia’s 15 counties, targeting about 4,000 students each year. The names of the counties are Lofa, Bong, Nimba, Margibi, Bomi, and Gbarpolu Counties. We desire to cover the entire 15 counties of Liberia reaching more students when funding is available.
Impact of 4-H in Liberia
Researchers from Northwestern University and Innovations for Poverty Action completed a comprehensive evaluation of our program, which showed highly positive results. This study highlights the significant impact 4-H has on both agricultural technology adoption and student outcomes.
Key Findings
- SBAE increased students’ and parents’knowledge, knowledge sharing, and adoption of promoted farming practices on parcels outside of school, with greater impacts than extension programs targeting adults.
- SBAE improved student retention rates, school attendance, studying hours, livelihood aspirations, and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) attendance.
- The positive effects on technology adoption and education were present only with parental and community engagement.
- The program can be cost-effective, with costs breaking even after four years and reaching a 2:1 cost-benefit ratio after six years.
