By Hannah Valentine | Public Relations Officer
Aflatoun builds upon two basic things, giving children a sense of self and giving them a sense of community. These are the very small but fundamental things that children learn.
Kanji is a student of 5th standard in a PEP school. He has two siblings, a little sister and a brother. Kanji being the eldest in his home helps his parents by working in fields with them after school, and also tutors his little siblings. His favorite hobby is to play cricket.
Kanji says he loves school because of what he is learning. His favorite subjects are science and Aflatoun. Kanji said he likes science because he wants to become a doctor, but he loves Aflatoun because through Aflatoun he had the inspiration to choose what he wanted to become!
Through the programme of Aflatoun, Kanji has developed the confidence to take up responsibility for his life and encourages other students to do the same. He is also the monitor of his classroom and leads the Aflatoun club in his school. His determination to give his best has made him shine among his other classmates.
Living within the walls of a small village and with limited resources, the prospects of education looked very dim for Kanji. But now, through having quality education in his village, he has faith that he will be able to grow more with what he learns in school every day.
When children save a single coin, it does not represent more than what they carry in their pockets, but once they save a few more, it begins to represent something very different, a choice.
By Mrs. Jeroo Billimoria
Founder of Aflatoun Programme.
Nirmila considers herself lucky that she got the opportunity to study in a school. She is the youngest of the eight siblings in her family and one of the dedicated students of Rano Bheel Elementary School. She learnt a lot from the awareness programs provided by PEP and is famously known to have carried out a practical example regarding Social and Financial Education Programme (Aflatoun).
Through the Aflatoun Savings Programme, Nirmila started a little business in 2013 by opening a shop in her area. She invested rupees 1500 in the shop by taking a loan of rupees 2000 from her school’s Aflatoun savings. When Nirmila opened her shop, she committed to pay rupees 100 each month to return the loan to the Aflatoun savings group. From the profit she received through her business, she purchased some of the necessary things she needed for her school, such as uniform, shoes, stationary and managed her own pocket money too. On one occasion, Nirmila's parents did not have enough money to pay her fees, but she had enough to manage to pay her fees through her own savings.
Nirmila's family as well as her teacher were was very proud of what she had achieved. Her family believes she is truly an inspiration for other girls and for her community.
Nirmila's business has now expanded and she gets a profit of rupees 5000.
Aflatoun is a fireball from outer space who teaches children about their rights and about money.
The Aflatoun programme curriculum contains both social and financial themes. Children learn about themselves, children’s rights, how to save, basic financial concepts, and enterprise.
The teaching principle used in Aflatoun’s programme is called child-centered learning. Children are given space to express themselves, to act on their own, and to solve practical problems together.
The purpose of Aflatoun programme in PEP is to serve the children's personal growth and develop important skills through providing Social and Financial Education. PEP aims that through learning these skills the children can achieve important goals of their life, such as, completing their education, developing a career and contributing towards their society.
A child brought up in the rural Sindh often has to face the challenges of poverty, child labor, cultural barriers and lack of knowledge. Because of these challenges the personal growth of a child is hindered and the most precious time of their life is ruined.
We believe that children have the capacity to grow and develop in life. They are the innovators and creators. What they need is the right direction and nourishment to enhance their potential which is a vital part of PEP's mission-- to make children agents of change.
The total number of Aflatoun students in PEP schools are: 1,886, with girls: 575 and boys: 1,311. Aflatoun has total 180 student clubs in each school and the age of students range from 9-13 years. These groups have weekly meetings where they learn through different activities in accordance with the Aflatoun curriculum.
In 2016, the Aflatoun programme plans to expand and adapt to be more inclusive of non-enrolled community children. We aim to bring other children to the present Aflatoun groups so that they will be nurtured the same way PEP students are.
Join together with us to impact more children through Aflatoun and spread the word about the schools of PEP.
Love,
Hannah.
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