Teach 15,000 rural kids to save and invest

Three (3) representatives from Be Better, a non-profit organization that teaches social and financial skills to over 200,000 children in schools and communities in China, visited the Philippines for an exposure visit last November 24-28, 2014. Aside from their separate meetings with Children International and other Philippine-based organizations, they also dropped by NATCCO’s main office in Quezon City for a quick catch up about Aflatoun. The Philippines, through NATCCO, ranks as the third most active implementer among all Aflatoun countries in Asia with more than 600 schools in 40 provinces. Be Better chose the Philippines not only for its remarkable standing but also because of its unique approachof advocating social and financial education in schools.

As fellow implementers of Aflatoun worldwide, Public Relations specialists Selma Steenhuisen and Leona Cao with Executive Diretor Jack Zhang sought NATCCO’s assistance to study how the Program is locally implemented in the country. NATCCO Youth Program Associate, Anna Del Rosario, accompanied the visitors to Tagum Cooperative (TC) in Davao Del Norte where they were warmly welcomed by Nikko Revita (NATCCO Youth Board), Ms. Liezel Lumaad (TC Aflatoun Youth Coordinator), Kate Umayam (TC Youth Laboratory Chairperson), and the coop’s Board of Directors. The group’s study visit formally started with a presentation about the TC’s current Aflatoun implementation followed by an actual savings collection activity and two classroom integrations. 

Teachers and School heads from Magugpo Pilot Central Elementary School and Laureta Elementary School generously accommodated the group, walking them through their respective integration processes and strategies to sustain the program. Aside from joining in the classroom Aflatoun integrations, both of which were delivered in the mother tongue and English language, the group also observed how the coop manages its savings collection activity. Students lined up as soon as they saw the Aflatoun collection booth and deposited their savings in an orderly manner. Teachers also assisted the coop staff, handing out passbooks and receipts to the students. Steenhuisen and her companions were particularly impressed with Tagum Coop’s approach in motivating the teachers after seeing how all of them enthusiastically prepare for the Aflatoun lessons despite their heavy academic loads. The cooperative system was also a matter of great interest for Be Better given the differences in structure of Chinese and Filipino cooperatives. The schools’ strong sense of social and financial responsibility inspired the group to promote more community-centered initiatives in China.

Be Better also made a courtesy call to the Mayor of Davao Del Norte, Mr. Allan Rellon DPA and exchanged stories with him as to how their study visit was turning out so far. Mr. Rellon thanked the group for choosing Tagum City and Tagum Coop, adding that he is also a member of the coop itself. Likewise, the three visitors expressed their gratitude for the hospitality and commended the respectable management of the city. The day ended with a short tour of Tagum City’s attractions and a little pasalubong shopping.

Steenhuisen, Cao, and Zhang flew back to China on November 28, 2014 with a handful of insights about the Aflatoun Program in the Philippines.  The visit gave them a constructive standpoint towards a more strengthened initiative for their Aflatoun expansions in China.