Nirmila considers herself lucky that she got the opportunity to study in a school. She is the youngest of the eight siblings in her family and one of the dedicated students of Rano Bheel Elementary School. She learnt a lot from the awareness programs provided by PEP and is famously known to have carried out a practical example regarding Social and Financial Education Programme (Aflatoun). Through the Aflatoun Savings Programme, Nirmila started a little business in 2013 by opening a shop in her area. She invested rupees 1500 in the shop by taking a loan of rupees 2000 from her school’s Aflatoun savings. When Nirmila opened her shop, she committed to pay rupees 100 each month to return the loan to the Aflatoun savings group. From the profit she received through her business, she purchased some of the necessary things she needed for her school, such as uniform, shoes, stationary and managed her own pocket money too. On one occasion, Nirmila's parents did not have enough money to pay her fees, but she had enough to manage to pay her fees through her own savings. Nirmila's family as well as her teacher were was very proud of what she had achieved. Her family believes she is truly an inspiration for other girls and for her community. Nirmila's business has now expanded and she gets a profit of rupees 5000. Nirmila is a student of Rano Bheel Elementary School Mirpurkhas (a district of rural Sindh). Anum's Contribution Anum is a student studying in one of the PEP schools at Tando Allahyar district of Sindh. She was inspired to join the WEP group in 2014 through observing a group who used to come for WEP meetings in her village. Through many trainings Anum learnt about girls' education, their rights and responsibilities, early marriage, cleanliness and about helping others through savings. She had been saving since 2014 and with her current savings that was rupees 10100/= she contributed to her family to buy a buffalo that was of rupees 15000. In rural Sindh people earn through the business of livestock which is why Anum's contribution to buy a buffalo was perfect for her family to start a business. Anum says savings can help women in lots of ways because they can contribute in supporting their families. It increases their importance of having a say in matters that men thought only they can handle, such as buying something only if the husband could afford. But if the wife has savings, both of them can contribute together and support their family which in result, encourages gender equality. The concept of savings through Aflatoun (Social and Financial education), children and communities greatly benefit as they learn skills that help them to have a balanced life and does make families struggle to make ends meet. Before having the education of Aflatoun in rural villages, communities suffered due to the lack of social and financial skills. But now, through having Aflatoun, communities are developing rapidly and know how to maintain a sustainable lifestyle. Impact more children by supporting the Aflatoun programme.
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