Driving financial literacy among school children

AmMetLife Insurance Berhad (“AmMetLife”) employees will mentor school children in financial management, leadership and entrepreneurial skills through the JA Start-Up Programme. Implemented by Junior Achievement Malaysia (JA Malaysia) and funded by MetLife Foundation, this programme will provide students with the opportunity to experience and learn the complete life cycle of a company. According to Ramzi Toubassy, Chief Executive Officer, AmMetLife, “We are pleased to support JA Malaysia in inculcating financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills among these students. We believe the JA Start-Up Programme provides these students with the ability to build a foundation of financial security and career accomplishment that will benefit them, their families and their communities.” Commenting on MetLife Foundation’s role in driving financial health in Malaysia, Krishna Thacker, the Asia Regional Director of MetLife Foundation, said “At MetLife Foundation, we believe financial health belongs to everyone. Supporting young students as they learn and experience the process of entrepreneurship, including setting up a business and designing and selling their products, is an excellent way to ensure that we lay a solid foundation for financial health.” Over a span of five months, the students will work in teams and learn how to register a company, appoint a managing director, establish the management team, and sell share certificates. Once the company is in place, they will then proceed to develop their own product line and eventually produce and market their products. The Ministry of Education recognises and supports this programme, which is facilitated through workshops conducted monthly at identified schools in Perak. These workshops are led by JA Malaysia staff and facilitated by corporate volunteers from AmMetLife and MetLife offices in Kuala Lumpur. The volunteers will guide and provide practical advice to the students in areas of finance, operations, human resource planning, marketing and sales. “Through this programme our employees are able to empower the students to make a connection between what they learn in school and how it can be applied in the real world – enhancing the relevance of their classroom learning and increasing their understanding of the value of staying in school. Skills-based volunteering has become a cornerstone of our philanthropic efforts to bring social good to the communities we serve,” Ramzi added. The JA Start-Up Programme will peak with a Student Product Expo at a leading mall in Kuala Lumpur in September where students will be able to showcase and sell their products. A judging committee comprising of employees from AmMetLife and MetLife offices in Kuala Lumpur will assess each team. Winners will be identified for various categories, including Best Product, Best Annual Report and Best JA Start-Up Company. Mr. Stuart Dean, Chairman of JA Malaysia, said, “We are glad to be partnering with global organisations such as MetLife to help young people, especially in smaller towns and rural areas, realise their potential beyond textbooks and to learn and experience hands on skills that are necessary for the workforce. Through this collaboration we are able to empower a generation that is capable of supporting themselves, their families and society.”