Teach 15,000 rural kids to save and invest

NATCCO’s Aflatoun Child Social and Financial Education program believes that children must be taught how to think, not what to think. On April 11 and 12, 2013 NATCCO and Perpetual Help Community Cooperative in Dumaguete City conducted a one day Children’s Camp for the members of the program in Bayawan City and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.  The theme of the camp was “Me and Aflatoun, Saving the Earth for A Brighter Future.”  The program presents different concepts of savings; that saving the environment and energy, and other forms of resources are as equally important as saving money.  The topic was relevant as the country experienced devastating calamities like typhoons and floods.  The Children’s Camp was attended by forty pupils from Grade 1 up to Grade 7.  These children were also the most active savers in their class. Children enjoyed the gathering as they played games, gained new friends, and shared their ideas and thoughts about savings. The camp also emphasized the devastating effects of environmental abuse, and what can children do to save our mother earth. The camp made children aware that they have a role to play in taking care of the environment; that they can be change makers. Through fun and learning-filled activities, children explored different ways to make positive contribution in their communities.