Empowering young people through financial literacy
On June 20-21, a dozen students in CARSA’s education sponsorship program gathered at Chris Hotel to participate in an intensive seminar on “Financial Literacy: Empowering Your Financial Future.”
The participants ranged from recent secondary school graduates, university students and university graduates entering the workforce. Most of these students have been supported by CARSA since their O level and even some from primary school!
On the first day, the training facilitator Elyse Gwizamaliza presented a multifaceted lecture covering the components of financial literacy, the rules, and steps of budgeting, saving plans, and good saving habits. Based on her experience as a trainer for trainers, Elyse is very knowledgeable in the topic of financial management with a very good methodology. The following day, Maurice, CARSA’s Education Sponsorship Officer, gave an intensive seminar on communication skills and time management. He also involved Esther one of the graduate students in Media and communication. However, the event was not without its fun moments. The evenings were spent playing sports, networking and other different fun activities.
CARSA has organize this a seminar to equip all the university students and graduates with the necessary skills on financial literacy to prepare them to know how to manage their finances when they start earning income from their salaries and even to build the culture of saving from their early ages. Friend Enok, a student sponsored by CARSA since he was in P4, told us that, before the event, “I saved without any procedures. [Now] I will save like I know what I'm doing, having exact numbers I'm supposed to save and knowing how to calculate that.”
Today, there are 21 people in CARSA’s education sponsorship program (ESP). Most are secondary school students from the rural area who are committed and determined learn skills that will enable them to bring about positive change in their own lives, their families and communities at large. This opportunity is made possible because of CARSA’s fruitful partnership with Compelled By Love, an Australian-based organisation committed to seeing things made right where poverty and brokenness exist.
“CARSA is changing lives. Not just supporting people, not just being there for people, you are changing lives,” Muhimpundu Esther, a sponsored student, said after the first day of the training. “I used to think that if you don't have a legit [large] income, then you can't save. But I learned today that it doesn't matter how much you make. As long as you have an income, you can actually make a budget…and it can help you in the future.”
