The Visa Program's Innovative Financial Education at Qalania Girls UNRWA School
As of the conclusion of our Visa Program which began March 2023, a transformative initiative unfolded at the Qalania Girls UNRWA School in the refugee camp. This unique program, spearheaded by our dedicated trainer, Maysoun Nakhleh, focused on providing crucial financial education support to the students in a dynamic and engaging manner. The innovative approach involved integrating sports to facilitate sessions, ensuring that the students not only received valuable financial education but also did so in a manner that was both enjoyable and effective.
Maysoun Nakhleh, the driving force behind this initiative, played a pivotal role in ensuring that the financial education sessions were accessible and relatable to the 30 female students involved, whose ages ranged from 10 to 17 years old. By incorporating sports into the learning process, Maysoun not only made the sessions more dynamic but also created an environment where the students could absorb important financial concepts without feeling bored or pressured by traditional classroom information.
The use of sports as a facilitator for financial education sessions not only made the learning process interactive but also addressed the diverse learning styles and preferences of the participants. Through engaging activities and exercises related to sports, Maysoun effectively conveyed financial principles, making them more tangible and applicable to the students' daily lives.
This approach not only equipped the girls with essential financial knowledge but also fostered a positive attitude towards learning about economic concepts. By leveraging the power of sports, Maysoun ensured that the educational experience was not only informative but also empowering and enjoyable for the participants.
The Visa Program's success in Qalania Girls UNRWA School stands as a testament to the innovative and thoughtful methods employed to make financial education accessible and impactful for young girls in the refugee camp. Maysoun Nakhleh's dedication and creativity have not only contributed to the students' financial literacy but have also left a lasting positive impact on their overall educational experience.
Some quotes from students who participated:
“We learned how to manage our money, how to allocate it to important things, open savings accounts at the bank, and spend it on essential and important matters.”- Lee
“We learned how to manage our money and what the important priorities are—how to allocate our funds to them. Of course, we also learned the importance of planning ahead. Additionally, we learned how to handle our current responsibilities and also prepare for the future.”- Hala
The VISA program, developed in collaboration with Street Child United (SCU), aims to provide financial education to street children, helping them learn essential money management skills and encouraging them to plan for their future. The program targets individuals between the ages of 13 and 17 and spans over a duration of 9 months. Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions occurs bi-weekly, while youth trainings take place on a weekly basis. The curriculum, designed by Visa, utilizes a diverse range of tools, including lessons aligned with Pre-K to 12th Grade curriculum standards, a specialized financial football game, and a comic book series with clear objectives for players to achieve. These resources are strategically combined to deliver practical money skills and financial knowledge to the participants, fostering a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.
