The Benefit of Savings: Youth Write In

The youth in Kenya were an excited lot as the long-awaited Global Money Week was finally approaching. Marketed and organized by Kenya Post Office Savings Bank from March 10 to 22, 2014, an essay competition was held in 99 schools countrywide. Each school was selected by one of 99 Postbank branches. The topic of the essay competition was “The Importance and Benefit of Savings for Youth.” Qualified teachers marked the essays and selected the best three essays out of at least 40 in each school. These three essays were then read to the school population and the essay authors participated in engaging question-and-answer sessions. The top essay was then selected by the each school’s Head Office.

The winning student authors at each school received a cash prize which was deposited into their SMATA savings accounts. Those students also received a SMATA t-shirt. Brian Muniata, a winning student from Utumishi Academy, drew an interesting parallel between realizing the opportunity to save and having the Midas touch. In his essay he wrote:

“Midas’ desire is one common to men of all ages since. The desire to be wealthy, financially independent, stable – call it what you may! Many strive to attain this but in vain. Luckily, for youth, we have our ‘golden touch’ granted to us, but many a times we see it not. The ‘golden touch’ is known as savings!”