Ateneo de Manila' s Financial Literacy Training for Remittance Senders in Europe

Are you an OFW who keeps two or more jobs just to make ends meet? Are you tired of constantly sending remittances to your families in the Philippines? Do you fear for your retirement plans due to the worldwide financial crisis? If your answer to any of the questions is yes, then the Ateneo Financial Literacy Training is for you.

Take charge of your financial situation and be equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify your current financial position, define you financial goals and ultmately reach your financial dreams - your dream home, your dream car, your dream retirement.

For a small investment of PhP1,000 (or foreign currency equivalent) and time to attend the training, you will be able to learn about the following topics: (1) importance of personal finance; (2) setting financial goals; (3) financial planning and budgeting; (4) managing expenditures; (5) investment planning and crafting a savings plan; (6) breaking the cycle of dependency on remittance; and (7) socially responsible investments.

The training will be held on: (Click on the dates to register)

January 31, 2009 - Netherlands
February 1, 2009 - Netherlands
February 7, 2009 - Belgium
February 8,2009 - Germany

For more information visit www.sedpi.com or call Melissa Reyes at +6324265659.

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Poverty Reduction through Proper Use of Remittances

Because of the successful first salvo of financial literacy courses and to complement the Sustainable Investment Fund, SCCI intends to replicate the financial literacy program for remittance senders and receivers. The overall objective is to reduce poverty by leveraging remittances and migrant workers' capital for development in Philippine rural areas, and by linking remittances to financial poducts and services.

The program intends to increase the participants' financial management knowledge and skills, enhance their access to formal financial services, and mobilize their investments. It is imperative that migrants acquire the discipline and commitment not only to make their remittances more productive, but also to link them to social development.

Most financial literacy training courses have been offered in Europe, where SEDPI has a project partner in Stichting-Habagat. Stichting-Habagat is a group of Filipino migrants in the Netherlands that aims to generate support for the issues and concerns of Southern Philippines through campaigns and information drive. Its activities include peace building and education, migrant community research, and outreach services. SEDPI and Stichting-Habagat have formed a strategic alliance to provide financial literacy training to Filipino migrant communities and to tap social investments for the Philippines.

To make the training course available and sustainable in the long run, SEDPI will also offer a training of trainers program for diaspora organizations. Ten slots will be allocated to Filipino migrants; the rest will be open to other migrant groups. This is to expand the coverage of the financial literacy program to other, non-Filipino migrant communities.

Note: If you are having problems viewing this email or clicking the links, copy and paste this link to your browser http://www.sedpi.com/mod/flrs_mktg_email/flrs_january.html to view the online version.