Last March 9 and 10, 2013, SEDPI provided financial literacy trainings to 68 Overseas Filipinos in Hongkong. The sessions were given in partnership with OFSPES, Ateneo School of Government and Wimler Foundation as part of the Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) Program. The 2-day event was held in Fenwick Pier, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
The training sessions focused on financial literacy specifically for remittance senders. The sessions delved on topics such as the stages of migration, importance of personal finance, managing expenditures, creating a savings plan, and socially responsible investments. Participants were taught the basics of financial education and some rules of thumb on financial housekeeping. They were also given readily available tools that they can use, such as personal balance sheet, cash flow, and financial planning worksheet. As anticipated, financial literacy guru and SEDPI President Mariel Vincent Rapisura shared his experience in his road to financial freedom and the lessons he learned while setting up his own social enterprise.
Although sessions on financial literacy had previously been delivered in Hong Kong, the training was so well received that it had to be repeated. The current batch of participants came from all walks of life – from Filipinos in Hong Kong for work, to Filipinos who have been awarded resident visas. This just proves that financial education is indeed important to attain one’s financial goals.
The one-on-one training event is part one of the financial literacy sessions. After this, the participants will be enrolled in a follow-up online course powered by Ateneo de Manila University-Development Studies and edu.20.
“Thank you very much to both of you! Nakaka-inspire po (It’s inspiring).” gushed one training participant after the sessions. Another explained that she never realized the worth of her assets until she was taught to write them down in their personal balance sheet. SEDPI Senior Program Officer Denise Subido joined Mr. Rapisura in the training event. The trainers were well received and were both rated excellent. One participant added that the event was, “a very enjoyable learning experience!”