My name is Shakeem Belle. I am a 13 year old student at the Deighton Griffith Secondary School and I have been a Thrift Club Member from the time I was an infant. I’ve had some wonderful experiences with the Thrift Club through attending the summer vacation camps, Easter vacation seminars and other special events.

Being a Thrift Club member I have been able to achieve some personal goals like overcoming my shyness and enhancing my public speaking skills. In 2010 after being elected to the Executive Committee took up the post of Secretary. On taking up this position I was slightly intimidated by the responsibility but after meeting the other committee members I have been able to overcome this with their help and encouragement.

Recently, we attended the 7th Caribbean Co-operative Youth Conference in St. Lucia. This was my first year in attendance. It was an occasion where I met new friends and shared experiences from various territories. During the seminars in St. Lucia, we were exposed to various topics including: History of the Co-operative Movement, Conflict Resolution and Anger Management. One of the major group projects that were assigned to us was to create a business plan which had to be presented at the closing ceremony, it was a great experience!

During our locally held annual summer camp, Thrift Club members are trained in various skills including craft – basketry and tie-die being my personal favourites. We’re also taught special skills in money management and personal finance, these sessions are very practical and useful.

This year the Easter Seminar was entitled “Youth Financial Literacy: Nuts and Bolts for the Future�, we were taught the importance of money and making decisions about it. During the seminar I realized the importance of money and how it impacts all aspects of our life.

Being a member of Thrift Club also affords you the opportunity to qualify for educational grants and annual academic achievement awards at Eleven Plus, CXC and CAPE levels. Thrift Club is really more than just money; it empowers us to be thrifty young adults, while at the same time encouraging our holistic development.