Children when engaged in intentional coaching activities increase their chances of succeeding in life. United Way Ghana and Staff of Cal Bank PLC engaged 800 young learners at the Holy Family R/C Basic school in a coaching activity to provide them with goal setting, time management, and basic principles in savings and investment.

The objective of the coaching program is to provide these pupils with opportunities to enhance their innate strengths and capabilities to influence positively in every sphere of their lives to enable them to make the best out of life. Grouped by gender and class, these young learners were paired with Cal Bank PLC employees and engaged in interactive sessions for close to two (2) hours.

To set the young learners on their journey to financial wealth, they were educated on the importance of managing the little money they receive from their parents and caregivers, incorporating a habit of savings into their lifestyles.

In addition to the engagement with the young learners, 30 teachers and close to 250 parents and caregivers were also educated on financial literacy enabling them to enhance their ability to manage their finances and withstand future economic shocks that may arise.

Prior to the project execution, United Way Ghana conducted a survey at the school to find out some of the factors that are affecting the literacy levels of the young learners at the school as it seems to be below average. From the survey outcomes, it was realized that though the school has a space for a mini library, it has not been able to raise the needed funds to furnish the space with furniture and reading books. Due to this, the young learners are denied access to story books to help them observe their library periods in school.

As part of the Project activities, Cal Bank PLC in partnership with United Way Ghana has furnished the library space with bookshelves, tables, chairs, and close to eight hundred (800) age-appropriate story books and self-improvement guide booklets.  This will inspire the young learners to adopt reading habits and improve their literacy skills.

Receiving the library items on behalf of the young learners, the headteacher of Holy Family R/C School, Mr William Kwame Obeng, said “One of my key responsibilities as the head teacher is to facilitate the process of ensuring that the young learners of my school have all the needed resources to excel in their academics.  I am happy today, knowing that the young learners have access to age-appropriate story books and a reading space to observe their library periods. Thank you, Cal Bank PLC and United Way Ghana for coming to our aid.”

In showing appreciation to Cal Bak PLC for the partnership that has created the opportunity for the young learners at Holy Family R/C School, the Executive Director for United Way Ghana, Mr. Felix Kissiedu Addi said ‘United Way Ghana is championing SDG 4 – Quality Education and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, by establishing strategic partnerships that create opportunities to improve access to quality education in Ghana.  United Way Ghana’s partnership with Cal Bank PLC has created opportunities for close to 2,000 young learners in Cape Coast and Techiman to enhance their personalities and improve upon their academic performance.  Thank you, Cal Bank for the partnership opportunity. We look forward to more engagements with Cal Bank PLC and other corporate entities to maximize our impact and expand our reach.’

Head of Marketing of CalBank, Mr. Kofi Senyo Siabi, remarked, ’CalBank believes in giving back to society. It is our belief as rooted in our tagline Forward Together, that no one entity can move unless we do so together. As a bank, we will continue to assist where the need be and we promise to assist the school set up a computer lab to facilitate the teaching and learning of ICT among the teachers and students.”

The Bank, through the staff at the Techiman Branch, will continue with further engagements and follow-ups on how the young learners are applying the knowledge gained. Members of the ELP cohort will also organize and visit the school periodically to develop coaching relationships and mentor these young ones.