Train the Trainer Testimonials

What participants to our courses say...

“Everything was great! Thanks!” (A participant in Good Habits with Money)

“All is useful... more training!” (A participant in Good Habits with Money)

“very encouraging and learn a lot from it” (A participant in Good Habits with Money)

“I will use he knowledge and skill gained on the course to control and budget my money.” (A participant in Good Habits with Money)

“I will certainly apply this to my way of living.” (A participant in Good Habits with Money)

“Wonderful”. (A participant in Good Habits with Money)

“I am enjoying the class: it is practical, clear and specific. In fact, I do some records, but I don’t have a complete knowledge to organize it. But it is getting clearer, so thank you very much.” (A participant in Good Habits with Money)

“The course is so interesting. It really speaks about the reality of life. I learned a lot and will follow it all. Thanks a lot!” (A participant in Good Habits with Money)

“Ang pinakamahalagang natutunan ko ngayon ay ang pagbabudget with a budgeting list. Ililista ko lahat ng bayarin at kita at kung ano pa ang isi-save ko. Ang mag-save for the future at kung paano ko idi-divide ang pera na may matitira pa rin sa akin. Marami akong natutuhan. Thank you.” (The most important thing I learned is how to budget using a budget list. I will list all of my expenses and income and whatever it is that I need to save on. (I also learned) to save for the future and how to divide my money so that something will remain for me. I learned a lot of things. Thank you)(A participant in Good Habits with Money)

“Have more seminars for all OFW and residents weekly or monthly.” (A participant in Good Habits with Money)

“I like learning about how I should save, how to organize all my expenses and to think of my future.” (A participant in Good Habits with Money)

“All the topics were very useful and helpful. Wonderful! Keep this kind of courses in the future, very good knowledge for us!” (A participant in Setting up your own Business)

Discover how university students improved their money management skills

Read the stories of Ariyul and Kristina:

Ariyul, Domestic Helper in Hong Kong

Thanks a lot to to what I have become today.Before I never thought that I will get out of my financial problems, especially because of my family. Since I took the course, it is better! It solved all my problems. I could reduce my IDD call, remittance, local phone bill, shopping, and save more. I set a goal: to buy land. Luckily, a neighbour sold the house and thanks again, I managed to pay with my saving. Now I harvest the fruits of the land that I bought a long time ago. So from now onward, I don't need to worry about my family, because if they need money, they just harvest the fruit, sell them and use the money for their needs.

I still have one last goal: to open a small restaurant called "Restaurant Sea Food Halal 99". Now, I save every little dollar. I also learn extra knowledge (guitar playing) and on my day off, I teach guitar and it adds to my saving. Thanks a lot again for changing my life.

Now I really have my own home and own land. I am sure all my friends can make it! Try! All the best,

Ariyul. 25 October 2007

Kristina, employee in a NGO in Hong Kong:

My name is Kristina. I am an Indonesian who has been staying in Hong Kong for almost 4 years now. I am working in the educational centre that provides various kinds of courses and workshops for domestic helpers and migrant workers. The courses and workshops aim to educate, empower, and set their awareness on issues that related to their current and future life. One of the workshops is Financial Workshop that conducted by Sophie Paine from A & B make 3.

The interesting part of my work is when I am participating in teaching, organizing, and or translating, I am also learning. With Financial Training is no exception. I always want to be wiser about my money but the thing is I had no idea how to help my self. I have been never a spend-aholic and I have never had problem with debt but as I learnt from my experience and from the training, having good habits about money is essential; to know where I am now is as important as to know how to prepare my goals in money sense. I did not really care about that before. I spent all my money and often had no idea what I spent it for. And the consequence is saving becomes a big problem for me and I often ended up with spending my money on short terms things.

For my case, budgeting is the help I need the most. It was not easy at all when I started it, I even thought that I would suffer because of it. To switch habits of spending money on everything you want to setting some aside for what more important is not easy deal. I decided to have my monthly budget; I did it every month, so that I know where my money should go. I was also trying not to shop ‘spontaneously’ as I usually do. I always refer to my budget how much money I can spend on certain items or how much money I can spend for things I really want though I did not really need it. I even further challenged myself by putting my youngest sister (who is attending private university in Indonesia ) monthly money on my budget. My budget plan shows me that I can do it.

My mom was surprised when I called her one day to say: “Mom, no need to send monthly money to my youngest sister anymore, I will be the one who send it from next month”. Then, I really did that. And now though she had been graduated from university, I decided to send the money home every month. There is a great feeling in doing such thing and I know my parents will be happy for me for one more thing: their daughter is now more mature in money sense. And with myself, I am not suffering at all. Instead, I can spend money for what I really want and need even better because everything is on the budget, including emergency money.

Having Sophie Paine in our centre conducting the financial workshop is a blessing for the Centre and our clients, and also for me. I planned to change and there was a workshop that helps me to do so. The only thing I regretted it is I did not do it earlier. I really believe that many people need this workshop to help them with their habits on money and to help them to live more freely with their money.

Kristina, May 2008