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.