The Young Minds Savings Campaign (YMSC) in Kimbe, West New Britain province, ended on a high note with over 236 kids savings accounts opened.
CEFI Executive Director Mr. Saliya Ranasinghe thanked the WNB Provincial Government (WNBPG), participating schools and financial institutions for making the second YMSC a success following the first YMSC held in Milne Bay province in August this year.
“Convey the message of savings to your children and educate them on its importance so they will have a better future and standard of living,” Mr. Ranasinghe told head teachers of participating schools and branch managers of the participating financial institutions during a closing dinner.
He also thanked the Securities Commission of PNG (SCPNG) for their sponsorship support towards the campaign.
Mr Tandawai representing SCPNG said that the Commission was happy and excited to support CEFI and BPNG in investing in the future of PNG through the YMSC.
In attendance also was the Department of Treasury who through Mr Moses Zazon expressed their support towards the campaign. Besides MiBank, BSP and Womens Microbank (WMB), Nasfund and TISA were also in attendance.
Both institutions used the campaign to make awareness of their products targeted at school kids.
Schools visited included, Kimbe Primary, Ruango Primary, Karl Hesse Primary, Kimbe Secondary, Kimbe International and Harrison Primary.
CEFI, the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), SCPNG, WNB Provincial Government, MiBank, WMB, BSP, Nasfund and TISA visited the respective schools from September 04 to September 06.
On Wednesday September 04, MiBank visited Kimbe and Ruango Primary schools, Thursday September 05, WMB, MiBank and Nasfund visited Karl Hesse Primary and Kimbe Secondary and BSP and TISA visited Kimbe International and Harrison Primary schools respectively on Friday September 07.
The activities included awareness on savings, question and answer sessions followed by opening of bank accounts. More than 200 savings accounts for students were opened by Mibank and BSP with follow up visits by the respective banks to continue for the respective schools.
The YMSC is one of the key ticket items implemented under a MoU signed between CEFI and WNB Provincial Government which is expected to end on 27th July 2026.
The Provincial Administrator (PA) – WNBPG, Mr. Leo Mapmani thanked CEFI and BPNG for the initiative and support to run the YMSC in Kimbe.
Mr Mapmani assured CEFI of the WNBPG support towards the implementation of the CEFI-WNB MoU and to continue the good progress made so far.
Mr. Mapmani also stated his administration’s support of the YMSC in Kimbe adding it was now a challenge for the WNBPG to continue the campaign and reach more schools in the province.
“This is the first of its kind in Kimbe to witness BSP, MiBank, TISA, Nasfund and the Mama Bank mobilize and jointly visit selected schools within the urban settings to promote their products specifically focusing on promoting the savings culture to the children and young people.”
“The Steering Committee will continue to highlight this activity in its annual work plan to build the young minds and empower them to continue to save money for their future needs,” Mr. Mapmani said.
CEFI Special Projects Manager and YMSC Team Leader Mr. Busa Jeremiah Wenogo thanked Mr Mapmani for his support towards the YMSC and encouraged WNBPG to take ownership of the campaign and roll it out annually to all the schools in the province.
Students interviewed at respective schools were all appreciative of the YMSC and happy to have the financial institutions come to their schools and open bank accounts.
“The Young Minds Savings Campaign is a really effective programme that was implemented by CEFI. It has been able to encourage young students to open up savings accounts,” said eighteen year old grade 12 student David Uluk of Kimbe International School.
“It’s a good initiative taken (by CEFI and BPNG) because it helps young minds to see the importance of savings,” said sixteen year old grade 11 female student Lorraine Mertie Gorie of Kimbe International.
“The campaign is important and must be taken seriously as it helps students to know how to use and manage money wisely,” said fourteen year old grade 8 student Meltufie Osand of Harrison SDA Primary School.
“The campaign helps students to know more about savings and managing their money,” said fifteen year old grade 8 female student Jelica Jimmy of Harrison SDA Primary School.
Head teachers from the six schools express their gratitude to CEFI, BPNG, SCPNG and the WNBPG for the campaign which they said was important to the students for their personal and educational development.
“The campaign is important due to the demand at the moment in terms of savings especially with the limited education on finances,” said Karl Hesse Deputy Headmaster Mr. Ezekiel Henry.
“I believe the impact that (this campaign) will have on the students is that they will learn to save money and also look forward to their future with confidence knowing their savings is available when needed” he added.
Ruango Primary School Head Teacher Mr. Nalot thanked CEFI and BPNG for initiating the campaign adding that educating savings to the students at a very young age is important.
“I fully support this campaign because it’s targeting school children to teach them about savings which I believe it’s an important part of their learning development.”
“Definitely the campaign will have a big impact on the students because they never had bank accounts, but through the campaign many school children now will be able to have bank accounts, and know how to save with the help of their parents also,” Mr. Nalot concluded.
Google Drive Link to Photos, Videos & Media Release – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1D8nN1wWIDDIO1BBKc5abcg6DO8sqtZJW?usp=sharing
Ends.
Image Captions:
Image 3. Kimbe Primary Grade 9 students, Edward Rovi (left) and Samantha Maino showing their bank cards after successfully opening their respective savings accounts with MiBank.
Image 4. Runago Primary school students and teachers pose for a group photo with officers from MiBank, CEFI and SCPNG.
Image 5. Jeanellia Siroro-Kimbe Branch Manageress – MiBank assisting a student from Ruango Primary open his savings account.
Image 6. Ruango Primary Grade 5 students (from left to right) Queenal Panda, Dorothy Waninara, Solomon Puli and Roberthina Donny were proud to be part of the Young Mind Savings Campaign.
Image 16. Harrison SDA Primary student receiving his banking card.
Image 19. BSP Officers assisting Kimbe International School students open their savings accounts.
