Teach 15,000 rural kids to save and invest

Integrity. Resilience. Passion. Guimaras Brethren Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s (GBMPC) Holy Grail in its mission of providing efficient financial and social services to uplift the living conditions of Guimarasnons.

GBMPC just like any other coop has its ups and downs; has been stormed by tempests and storms in its operations but it has stood firm and unwavering. The pillar of integrity was among the most challenging facets that our coop has been beset with. Our maiden voyage embarked in 2008 having 15 Aflatoun partner schools.

It had started smoothly but was not sustained and lied low due to lack of staff to monitor the kiddie savings and program operations. The lack of teacher and school head support were also among the reasons; they had that fear that the coop might go bankrupt since Guimaras Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GMPC) was facing financial issues then before GBMPC took over its operations and eventually changed its name, from GMPC to GBMPC. Having this sad scenario for a starting coop is indeed a struggling jaunt; establishing the coop integrity so as to earn a good credibility from the locals is a sure insurmountable challenge to take.

It took us awhile and in 2012, the program was revived and the coop administration hired an Aflatoun Coordinator with a major responsibility of monitoring the program implementation in schools. It surely had a good leap. After some time, the Aflatoun program o has gained numerous awards and recognition from NATCCO Micoop Special Awards as Youth Serving Cooperative of the Year, both for the Youth Savers and Young People Categories - hailed in the Hall of Fame that has consistently grabbed the awards for five successive years! However, life is not just on the laurels; once again, Aflatoun Program encountered a new challenge on fraud which eventually put the organization on pins and needles where we once again need to fight and establish our image and credibility to win potential members, clients and the acceptance of the community.

However, due to the admin’s quick response, the new coordinator’s proper and close monitoring of the ledger and program operations, it’s not that hard anymore for us to regain stance and eventually gain the community’s trust and confidence once more. Kiddie savers, parents, micro-entrepreneurs and potential savers have patronized the various coop services and even increased its productivity which triggered for the organization to open up new services and offers; catering an array of the locals’ needs.

Through the years, the Aflatoun program has been gaining more attention from its elementary and secondary school partners; increasing memberships and savings of kiddie and youth members. The program has conducted a Aflatoun Youth Camp with the objective of cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset to the youth towards financial literacy. Also, the Aflatoun program conducts training and seminars, gives medals and awards in recognition of the exemplary members at the end of every school year as well as distributing candies during Christmas parties. Also, the cooperative is joining the annual Brigada Eskwela as its response to DepEd’s call of preparing the schools for the opening of classes.

In addition, our kiddie savers are also joining the annual Children’s Month Celebration of the province; we have been very participative in joining government programs and celebrations especially those that are geared towards children’s welfare.

The local government and the Schools Division of Guimaras have been very accommodating and positive towards the Aflatoun Program of GBMPC and have been our strong stakeholders of the program since then.

Presently, the program is being sustained and the staff are passionately and continuously planning for ways and activities that can benefit our kiddie members - the very same passion which is igniting us to always keep our best foot forward in any endeavors we intend to accomplish.

To help co-ops reach the youth, the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) on December 3 formally launched the Aflatoun Manual. The document standardizes and eases the implementation of Aflatoun, NATCCO’s flagship program for the youth. Under the Aflatoun Program, primary co-operatives partner with public schools, training teachers to train kids on financial literacy. Kids are urged to open a savings account in a laboratory cooperative. It took two years for this manual to be written and published. “It was originally for Philippine co-ops, but it was suggested three years ago to bring in the ICA-AP [International Cooperative Alliance – Asia and the Pacific] so other co-ops in Asia may benefit,” says Lasalette Gumban, currently head of the NATCCO Diaspora Unit for overseas Filipinos.

Leading the launching was Mr. Roeland Monasch, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aflatoun International in Amsterdam. He said: “Every young person should develop the habit of savings and financial responsibility and develop entrepreneurial skills and attitudes that enhance their confidence and leadership abilities. And that is what Aflatoun and NATCCO and cooperatives in the Philippines have done so successfully over the past years.”

Addressing the NATCCO’s Aflatoun team: “It is very impressive to see how you have created a movement of cooperatives that ensure that kids learn the habit of saving in a fun way, which they can use when they successfully transition from childhood to adulthood, from school to work life. Really impressive . . . fantastic!” He also recognized that co-operatives are the ‘key in the effective and efficient roll out of life skills and financial education for children’. Further, he said co-ops have shown that the children of the poor – if they are given the education – can save.

Balasubramanian Iyer, Executive Director of the International Cooperative Alliance in Asia-Pacific in India congratulated all stakeholders, NATCCO, Aflatoun, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Department of Education. “I have met many of the Aflatouners (kids under Aflatoun) during my visit to the Philippines and seen them on stage delivering speeches, talking about savings, performing on stage and promoting cooperatives. It was evident – their personalities and character, confidence and security. The Aflatoun program addresses young people at a young age and pushes financial literacy,” he said.

Iyer emphasized: “The Aflatoun Program helps to achieve the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals #1 (No Poverty), #4 (Quality Education), #8 (Economic Growth), and #10 (Reduced Inequalities). The manual is one we can contextualize. Many countries have come to learn what Aflatoun is all about and can be adopted by other countries. The text can also be translated.” This is a very comprehensive program that helps not only the young and ensures their financial future, very important in the world we are in. Iyer quoted ICA President Ariel Guarco, who at the recent Global Youth Forum said: “Young people are not the future of the movement. They are the present. Our civilization is at stake.”

It was supposed to be launched in GA of 2019, but the writing process was put on hold. Then it was moved to 2020 but due to the COVID crisis, it was cancelled. That gave time for the book to be refurbished. Ms. Gumban said: “While we are physically restricted, we have become borderless! Hence, now we are launching this globally!” In the introduction, the Manual gives a history of the Aflatoun Program in the Philippines – beginning when then NATCCO Chief Executive Officer Cresente Paez visited Amsterdam in 2005.

The Manual contains an overview of the Aflatoun Program, the implementation process and how partners can make each step succeed, the experiences of Aflatoun partner co-ops like Lamac MPC in Cebu, Tagum Cooperative in Davao, and Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative in Ilocos Sur. Prospecting co-ops are also given the importance of and how to organize Laboratory Cooperatives.

Eventually, NATCCO hopes Aflatoun will be integrated in school curricula. Annexes contain the Job description of the Aflatoun Coordinator in the primary co-op, the Aflatoun Program Assessment Tool, and the monthly report template.