Children International’s social and financial education teaches children about their rights and how to manage money.
On “Induction Day” in Guayaquil, Ecuador, teens encourage other youth to participate in activities and programs that teach valuable life and job-related skills. Aflatoun, our program that focuses on personal and financial responsibility, is particularly relevant – and popular!
Photo by Patricia Huerta
But it’s more than just lessons. Aflatoun empowers teens to implement the strong moral character they’ve developed while growing up with Children International.
For example, youth in Ecuador rallied around a friend when she needed help buying medication after surgery. The teens sold sandwiches, jello with fruit, cake and sodas and organized raffles and bingo games to raise money. They view themselves as more than a team – more like a family.
Photo by Patricia Huerta
Social and financial education gives youth opportunities to save money for themselves and implement projects to support their interests.
When Carla was selected as a finalist at the 2012 Global Youth Summit organized by Child and Youth Finance International (CYFI), she traveled to Amsterdam with other youth leaders.
“There I learned about people of other cultures and languages. I met new people, and it was my opportunity to travel abroad[…]. Aflatoun was a good experience for me, because I learned to recycle, to save, to expend money in a proper way, to have my own identity and to know my rights and responsibilities.”
Photo by Patricia Huerta
Children learn how to develop creative, simple ways to generate extra income. Education about saving money means they put it to good use and develop good habits early.
“I have learned to save money and to buy the things I need by saving money. I feel very happy when I can buy something I wanted,” says Raymundo from Mexico.
Photo by Azucena Gollaz
Children relish the opportunity to work together and improve the lives of others. Limited resources frequently prevent them from helping, but financial education changes that.
“Los Ahorradores” – “The Savers” – is an Aflatoun club in Quito, Ecuador, that offers lessons in good teamwork. The group finds that the best part of Aflatoun is learning how to save resources and meeting new friends.
They learn how to work in teams, be responsible with the planet and share material with friends. The boxes they are holding in the photo were donated to younger children to help them save money for future needs.
Photo by Andrés Rosero
One member of the club, Ivonne, has been particularly successful. She sells snacks and sweets and earned enough to give Christmas presents to all her family.
Ivonne represented Children International as a finalist at CYFI’s 2013 Global Youth Summit in Istanbul, Turkey.
Photo by Andrés Rosero
Families recognize the value of this programming and encourage their children to participate.
Roi in Quezon City, Philippines, recently joined his club. “Because of Aflatoun, I have started saving money. I have to spend it wisely. It’s fun to play and learn with new friends.”
His mother, Ireal, offers a more complex view of the program. “I believe that every child deserves to experience what my son experiences in the program. With Aflatoun, he knows how to save his resources. He learns to respect others. He is aware of his rights as a child.”
Photo by Carmie Carpio
This type of training does more than educate – it gives children real opportunities to provide for their futures and, when needed, their families.
Aafia, who also represented Children International at the 2013 CYFI event in Turkey, uses her training to support her education and her family.
“These handicraft items made by me are not only sold in local shops, but also I get private orders that enhance my income and allow me to contribute in a small way to the family. This makes me feel proud and confident and re-establishes my dignity as a young lady and contributing member. Moreover, my work is liked and I get appreciated for the same. I thank Aflatoun and Children International from the bottom of my heart for providing me with the stepping stone.”
Photo by Shane Alliew
