The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce Pension Plan has announced its support of Cayman Islands Junior Achievement by sponsoring the JA Ourselves program – a kindergarten program aimed at teaching children the values of helping, working, earning and saving.

General Manager of the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce Pension Plan, Mr Bill Fleury, said the Plan was pleased to help invest in the future of the youth of the Cayman Islands.

“We believe in promoting financial literacy and responsibility at every age and level,” he said. “Raising children in a money wise environment involves teaching children the basic concepts of saving and spending and the fiscal responsibility that comes with it.”

“The Junior Achievement program gives these important skills to our future community leaders,” Mr Fleury said.

Junior Achievement Cayman Islands President, Mr Paul Byles said the organisation was excited to have the Chamber Pension Plan on board as a sponsor and thanked the Plan for its involvement.

“Ourselves uses compelling stories read aloud by volunteers, along with hands-on activities,” he said. “The course is five sessions and ends with a presentation to the students of a Certificate of Achievement, a copy of Learning About Ourselves and a piggy bank to encourage savings.”

“The addition of the piggy bank to the course material was made possible by the Chamber Pension Plan sponsorship,” Mr Byles said. “We know the children will be excited to start filling their money banks with coins they’ve hopefully earned by doing chores for their families.”

JA Ourselves enhances students’ learning of the following key concepts and skills – buying, choices, costs, earning, giving, goods, incentives, income, rewards, saving, selling, spending, wants, work, abstract thinking, coin recognition, decision-making, and responsibility.

“At Chamber Pension Plan we believe it’s never too early to start teaching children about money and while a program like JA Ourselves is fantastic, it’s also important that parents take an active role in setting a good example for their children,” Mr Fleury said.

“Even small steps, like setting a good example with your own spending, can help improve the financial literacy of your children. For example, stick to your budget, compare prices when you shop and regularly contribute to your savings, including your Pension fund.

“When you practice good savings habits, you’re teaching your kids to save too,” he said.

Caymanian Compass · 9 January 2013
Cayman Net News · 3 January 2013