Teach 15,000 rural kids to save and invest

It's never too late to start saving for the future and there is no perfect time to start but now. The Philippines' Aflatoun network continues to welcome more and more savers into the social and financial education program. In October 2014, two (2) cooperative partners in Ilocos Sur and Cotabato City launched their Aflatoun programs in partnership with NATCCO.

SACRED HEART SAVINGS COOPERATIVE (SHSC)

On October 8-10, Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative (SHSC) welcomed its pilot schools to the Aflatoun program through a series of school-wide and room-to-room orientations. Laboratory Cooperative coordinator, Mr. Rodante Macanas, and Aflatoun Coordinator, Ms. Odessa Javier, who have also participated in the recent National Aflatoun Trainers’ Training, did back-to-back launchings in 5 schools namely: Galimuyod Central School, Salcedo National High School, Candon South Central School, Candon National High School, and Quinarayan Elementary School. Moreover, the launching for Tagudin National High School will be conducted this November. The cooperative is expecting more than 1,000 savers from these schools and a highly dynamic interaction with the students and their school communities.

STA. CATALINA CREDIT COOPERATIVE (SCC)

NATCCO visited six (6) schools in the area of President Roxas, Cotabato City from October 1-3, 2014 for the launching of the Aflatoun Program in partnership with Sta. Catalina Credit Cooperative. In her inspirational message, Sta. Catalina Credit Cooperative (SCC) General Manager, Ms. Maria Fe Pineda, shared anecdotes and stories on the importance of saving. She appealed to the parents and teachers to give their full support, moreover reassured them that all their efforts are for a greater cause. The children had a great time dancing, playing, and getting to know Aflatoun. The program was launched in the ff. schools: F. Canay Elementary School, President Roxas Central Elementary School, President Roxas High School, Doña Concordia B. Jayme Central Elementary School, Tuael Elementary School, and Labu-o Elementary School.

NATCCO’s Aflatoun Program works around three (3) pillars for effective implementation: the school system, the financial system, and the community system. The first refers to the school administration and the Department of Education – the main working ground of social and financial education. The second pertains to the network of our partner cooperatives serving as the depository of students, and the third lies on the teachers, parents, and members of the community where the Aflatoun program is taking root.

Aflatoun launchings officially mark the start of implementation in the schools. This is the time students are oriented about the program. By tapping all three pillars, school launchings help the network build support from all directions to firmly inculcate the value of social and financial responsibility in the hearts and minds of the children.

KASIBU FARMERS’ DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE (KAFDECO)

Soon after the Aflatoun Teachers’ Training of KAFDECO, the cooperative organized the launching of the program in their pilot schools. This was followed by the organizational meeting for their laboratory cooperative where youth leaders convened to discuss the requirements and move to the next step of the registration process. A laboratory cooperative acts as a training ground following the structure of guardian cooperatives. Lab coops help the youth develop their leadership skills and formulate policies that would govern their operations. 

BINALBAGAN MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (BIMEC)

Children from the district of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental welcomed Aflatoun with big smiles and lot of determination to start saving. The students were also happy to know about Aflatoun and the activities prepared for them throughout the year. Five (5) schools formally launched the program on September 4-5, 2014 with strong patronization from the parents.