Unlocking Financial Stability in Molo
The journey started on the afternoon of Wednesday, 1st November 2023, in preparation for a week-long activation of the Financial Literacy short course and Loyola Centre for Media and Communications’ Child Identity Formation (CIF). Francis Ogutu and Gerald Kway from the proposed Hekima University (pHU) Directorate embarked on a mission to spread financial knowledge to the people of Molo, a community that had faced its fair share of challenges. They began by visiting various religious organizations and institutions in the area, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy.
The program, is aimed at equipping individuals within the larger Molo area, neighboring deanery and the Diocese of Kericho with knowledge to manage their finances effectively. The question, “Why Financial Literacy?” resonated throughout the interactions. The ability to manage money properly is made possible by having a solid understanding of finance. Without financial literacy, one’s actions and decisions about savings and investments would be weak and unsupported.
Their first stop of the activations was within the rich religious institutions, learning establishments, where Kway and Francis shared PHU vision. The individuals approached and interacted with understood the significance of financial literacy and pledged their support. They afterwards visited financial institutions, which included the major banks in the area and the Social Coordinator’s office in Molo Sub-County that expressed their willingness to support the Financial Literacy course. Fr. Malasse, SJ and Fr. Marandu, SJ offered the duo from pHU insights into marketing strategies in the Molo area as the banks committed to support. The banks too, offered to support by offering their training expertise and essential resources.
In the heart of their journey, they met Fr. Simeon, a compassionate soul from the Passionist Orders, who highlighted the challenges faced by the local community, mentioning the severe post-election violence in 2008. He explained that many influential people had left the area, leaving behind mostly peasants and day-to-day labourers. Despite these challenges, he emphasized the community’s eagerness to embrace the financial literacy programs. In the discussions, he revealed a potential alternative location near Molo town for the training of the short course.
In a resounding endorsement echoing the sentiment of the community, Fr. Simeon acknowledged his awareness of the Financial Literacy short course program being promoted by PHU. He expressed his commitment to disseminate this knowledge to his brothers upon their return, highlighting his intention to participate in the Financial Literacy program with perhaps one or two others. His words, imbued with hope, illuminated a promising path toward a brighter and financially secure future for Molo and its resilient residents. By spreading the knowledge of effective money management, the community of Molo was poised to improve their financial well-being and build a brighter future.
