Testimonials


Our research partner, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, has conducted an independent impact evaluation of the Programme and found substantial improvements in our participants’ sense of self-efficacy and their ability to provide a better education for their children. Participants gained more than just knowledge - many also experienced profound behavioural and attitudinal transformations including changes in their attitude to life, self-perception and consumption patterns, and setting a good example for their family. 

 

Participants


Positive changes in attitude
“This course is so important to me. It changed my life. In the past, I liked making myself look beautiful and I pretended to be rich even though I was poor…Now I don’t care about these superficial things…I have become smarter after the Programme.” 
~ Participant from the new arrivals from the Mainland group

Change in consumption behaviour 
“Before the Programme, when I had $100 on hand, I spent all.  Now I manage to save.  And I record all the expenses so to know in what areas I can save.”
~ Participant from the women with disabilities group

“We learned new things, like needs and wants.  We used to think they were the same.  Now we know they are totally different."
~ Participant from the ethnic minorities group

Learning how to save money became a source of confidence 
"It' s simple. Even if you only have a few dollars...that is something. By looking at things this way, you change from a having 'nothing' to a having 'something' mentality! I think this reminder makes the world look different!”
~ Participant from the CSSA recipients group

Setting new life goals
“Before the Programme, I was very sad and had no self-confidence…after the Programme, I really changed [and] started to search for what I wanted to learn….” 
~ Participant from the domestic violence victims group 

Pursuing shared job opportunities
“Is it possible to persuade the leaders of big companies in Hong Kong to ask them to employ parents like us on a part-time basis? Having a few part-time workers would equate to one full-time position. Different employees [could] work at different times….If someone could help me take care of my kids when I work, I could watch her kids while she goes to work….” 
~ Participant from the single mothers group

Setting good examples for children and husbands 
"I told my children that their mom had learned financial management. In the future, they should do the same thing…  Now I give my older son pocket money.  I told him if he wanted anything, he had to rely on his own ability to save.  He has started setting saving goals and reviews regularly.  Now he is less rebellious and has less negative words from his mouth."
~ Participant from the CSSA recipients group

"My husband could not save money.  In the past, whenever he had money on hand, he just spent it.  I now will say no to him and ask him save the money up and tell him the importance of doing so.  He can save now."
~ Participant from the migrant women group

“My parents come from the Mainland and visited me last month. They were very happy to learn that their daughter had started a savings plan.  My husband, who takes care of the family finances, saw me do the monthly review of my one-year savings plan and allocate the family budget as my homework and was impressed. He said if I can achieve my one-year savings target successfully, he would pass the family “Financial Controller” post to me!”
~ Participant from the CSSA recipients group

 

Example of a financial goal set by a programme participant and her family

 

NGO Partners


"A range of workshops helped participants learn financial management.  The participants not only can develop their potential skills of strict budgeting, but also from cash management, they can build up their confidence and independence.”
~ Association of Women with Disabilities Hong Kong, our NGO partner for women with disabilities group 

"This course enabled the participants to have a dream, for example, opening a store and doing small business [when they return to their homeland].  They learn how to plan to use the money they have saved....  the chance of applying their knowledge to change their destiny…"
~ PathFinders, our NGO partner for migrant women group

"Our participants treasure the group a lot when they can share their resources and information. One lady told me that she could apply what she had learned when she moved out [from the shelter]. This was beneficial to them. The network formed [by the Financial Literacy Programme] them to support each other."
~Po Leung Kuk Women Refuge Service, our NGO partner for domestic violence victims group

"[The Nepalese women] have a very strong mind-set that their husbands are the main source of income and thus they don’t need to learn financial knowledge... It was their first time discussing financial issues in a group and learn about financial management… The participants were empowered...  Because their culture promotes men to be in charge of external issues while women are in charge of internal...[the money] was given by men… they would like to save money for their children…"
~ Yuen Long Town Hall Support Service Centre for Ethnic Minorities, our NGO partner for ethnic moniorities group  
 

 

Story of Fong-Ching, Ambassador of the Programme


 

Financial Literacy & Employability Training Programme

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