In the farming community of Curatoe Hill in Clarendon Jamaica one young man’s determination is quietly creating waves of change that extend far beyond his own backyard. Adrian Fuller, is a sixth-form student at the Denbigh High School. He’s also a participant in the Strengthening Access, Inclusion and Leadership for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SAIL-SRHR) Young Entrepreneurship Programme.
Adrian is demonstrating how targeted youth empowerment can transform lives, families, and positively impact communities.
Implemented by the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC) and funded by Global Affairs Canada, the SAIL-SRHR project is designed to build essential life skills and empower adolescent girls and boys across Jamaica.
A key component of the initiative supports young people in turning ideas into viable income-generating businesses, an approach that is already yielding tangible results.
For Adrian, entrepreneurship felt natural. Raised in a household familiar with poultry farming, he chose to launch his own chicken rearing business, drawing on early exposure and a clear desire to earn an income while still in school. “My business is chicken poultry. I started this business because my parents did it when I was young and I could see myself doing it to make some money,” Adrian shared.
With technical support and intensive training from CVC, Adrian gained the foundational skills needed to turn his business idea into reality.
Balancing school and a business is no small task, but Adrian has embraced the challenge with discipline and commitment. His daily routine begins before sunrise and extends into the late evening. “So I wake up early in the morning, about 5.30 and I normally go down to the chicken coop and look at the chicken, then I’ll start getting ready for school to leave at about 7 o’clock. I always ensure I turn off the light so the chickens won’t overheat during the day. After school I come home about 5.30pm, and then I would check on the chickens. I make sure they have water, food, and that they are overall okay,” he said.
The impact of Adrian’s business reaches beyond personal income. By planning to reinvest profits from his first batch of chickens, he is building a sustainable cycle that strengthens household resilience and sets an example for other young people in his community. His vision is clear: to save towards his college tuition and pursue further studies.
“I see this business helping me in the future as it will help to pay my college fee, as I want to go to college next year or the year after. I want to go to college to study electrical engineering because it’s something I’m passionate about. I want to become an electrical engineer or an architect. The SAIL-SRHR project has committed to give me 150 chickens, which I plan to raise, sell, buy new chickens, and save the profit to further my education,” he said.
The SAIL-SRHR project’s investment in Adrian’s poultry business represents more than start-up capital. It’s a vote of confidence in young people’s ability to lead their own development.
Adrian’s story reflects the broader impact of the SAIL-SRHR project and demonstrates how empowering one young person can generate positive ripple effects across families and communities. By equipping youth with entrepreneurial skills, business mentorship, and opportunity, the SAIL-SRHR project is helping to create pathways to economic independence, educational advancement, and long-term community resilience.
