Myo journey of resilience and growth
Myo, a 16-year-old student in the 10th grade, lives with his parents and two younger brothers. His father works various odd jobs and is involved in village development, while his mother manages household chores and prepares the children for school.
In the past, Myo's family faced significant challenges in meeting their needs. His father relied on daily wages and did not own any land for farming. Despite these difficulties, Myo's mother supported the children in school and managed the household. His father always dreamed of starting his own business but lacked the necessary funds, and borrowing money was difficult due to high interest rates. Previously, their village only had a primary school, so Myo had to walk to a remote village for secondary and high school, which took about an hour each way. This long walk often left him tired and affected his ability to concentrate on his studies.
World Vision Myanmar introduced a children’s savings group in their village, which was entirely new to them. Myo was excited by the initiative and eagerly told his father about his desire to join the group. His father supported him and allowed Myo and one of his younger brothers to become members of the children’s savings group. His father also joined the adult savings group and started saving money himself.
Myo began participating in the Children’s Savings Group as a member. Being part of this group helped him develop a good habit of saving money. He also learned a lot about his friends’ attitudes, their lives, and how to work effectively as a team. Whenever his parents gave him pocket money for school, he would save it instead of spending it. The group collected their savings twice a month.
Later, Myo became a leader of the Children’s Savings Group. This leadership role allowed him to meet new friends, improve his communication skills, and learn from others. The children in the group were happy because village volunteers shared valuable knowledge such as child protection, rights, and life skills. In addition to these educational sessions, the group also organized fun activities such as playing games, singing songs, and dancing.
With his money saved, Myo said, “I bought a bicycle, so I no longer had to walk long distances to school. This gave me more time to focus on my studies. Last year, I received an outstanding award at school, and my volleyball team won a prize in sports. It was a proud moment for me and my parents.”
Myo's father joined an adult savings group, which enabled him to set up a small shop at their house. Myo's mother manages the shop while taking care of the household. Additionally, his father bought four pigs and started raising them. Myo helps him feed and bathe the pigs. His father also created a small garden at home where he grows seasonal vegetables, making it easier for the family to have food and improve their living conditions.
The programme significantly benefited Myo and his family. Myo joined the Children’s Savings Group, which helped him develop a habit of saving money and improve his financial literacy. This enhanced the family’s economic stability and living conditions. The financial support and education provided by the S4T groups empowered Myo’s family to manage their finances better, invest in income-generating activities, and ensure a better future for their children.