Client: Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Singapore (under the Our Singapore Fund)
Challenge:
With Singapore’s growing affluence, there is increased concern that children are becoming entitled, overly sheltered and ill-equipped to face life’s challenges. This lack of resilience and financial confidence can threaten their ability to thrive independently and contribute meaningfully in society. Currently, children in Singapore lack a structured approach to developing a sense of identity, self-worth, and financial resilience. Without these foundational skills, they may struggle to set and achieve goals, make responsible financial decisions, and cultivate a spirit of giving. This gap calls for a comprehensive, hands-on program that integrates financial literacy with personal and social development, empowering children to become confident, resilient, and socially responsible individuals.
Our Solution:
Delivered as a one off, three-hour workshop for children aged 7-9, we began by first establishing a foundation of respect and safety through a “circle of trust”. This initial step encouraged children to express themselves and collaborate effectively. Thereafter, creative group activities such as a customised board game on “Needs and Wants” and mixed colouring sets were introduced. These fostered consensus-building, peer support, and the understanding that “giving is not a zero-sum game,” as participants naturally shared resources and helped one another.
Following the workshop, children received postcards with conversational prompts designed to encourage meaningful parent-child engagement. These discussions further reinforced the values of identity, resilience and sharing at home. This holistic approach effectively nurtured financial confidence, resilience, and social responsibility in children, thereby creating a long-term impact.
Impact:
The workshops were delivered to over 200 children aged 7 to 9, significantly surpassing the initial target of 180 participants. Moreover, in addition to open sessions for the general public, we also actively collaborated with community partners such as CatchPlus, Beyond Social Services, and a crisis shelter. These partnerships ensured that the program effectively reached children from more challenging socio-economic backgrounds.
Furthermore, seven dedicated adult volunteer trainers were engaged, enabling a smaller child-to-educator ratio and more personalized support. As a result, the program’s success not only impacted the participants, but also inspired eight donors to contribute financially, thereby helping to sustain and expand the initiative’s overall impact.
Testimonials:
Interested to explore how Empower2Free can partner with you to bring impactful financial empowerment workshops like this to the children you serve? Together we can build their financial confidence, resilience and sense of social responsibility. Contact us here