Children learned from a young age to save

CHILDREN in Ekurhuleni are educated on the importance of saving money by The Big R Foundation.

The Big R Foundation is a foundation of The Big R Solutions, a financial institution in Kempton Park. The foundation has been in existence since 2015.

“Our focus is on helping those individuals who come from underprivileged communities by educating them about the importance of reading, fund-raising and saving money,” said the chairman of the foundation’s board, Saubrey Tshabalala.

“The foundation has set the target of reaching over 1 700 children in need in 17 schools in the Ekurhuleni North District. We also teach them about reinvesting in themselves and in business.”

The foundation also kicked off its financial readiness campaign in 2016 which involves children having their own bank accounts. The campaign’s slogan is ‘Am I financially ready?’.

“The campaign has been widely successful as children have started selling sweets, sponsored by the manufacturing company,” said Tshabalala.

The children have opened bank accounts with one of a reputable bank in order to start saving from an early age.

“We have brought back the old concept of saving in piggy banks and the participating learners are encouraged to put their savings in the piggy bank. Once it is full they deposit it into their bank accounts.

Tshabalala said schools reached included Isekelo Primary, Peter Zongwane Primary, Solomon Motlana Primary, Ephes Mamkeli Secondary (Wattville) and Daveyton Intermediate, just to name a few.

According to Tshabalala, over 340 children have volunteered to join the campaign.

The foundation has also been there to assist not only children but teachers as well by offering to educate them on study skills,” said Tshabalala.

This will enable them to share information with the learners and for themselves. The reason the study skills are shared with teachers is that learners come and leave school but teachers will always be there and even if they leave for another school, they can share the knowledge in the new school.”

The foundation, together with the Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) held a workshop in August at Benoni West Primary School. Tshabalala said the workshop was aimed at discussing the establishment of reading clubs at schools within the district.

“Due to the popularity of the project, the office of the chief director of the Ekurhuleni District of Education, Ephraim Tau, asked the foundation to expand the programmes to also reach schools in the far east district in Ekurhuleni,” said Tshabalala.

The expansion includes schools in Duduza, Katlehong, Springs and Nigel.