Teaching Kids the Value of Financial Responsibility: Citi's Nedjma Benbouzid Shares Her Volunteer Story

To celebrate Global Community Day this year, Citi employees are sharing stories that have inspired them to make a lasting impact on their communities. Nedjma Benbouzid, Corporate Communications Manager, MENA, Citi, shares her experience teaching young children the importance of financial empowerment. Read her story below:

What is the need you saw in your city that drove you to volunteer?

Like every country in the world, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was affected by the global economic downturn on both a corporate and personal level. After witnessing the damage that over-indebtedness had on people's lives, I wanted to do something to help. I realized that it is critical to teach the next generations the merits of balanced spending and income management, and recognized a specific need to teach young girls about financial empowerment given the growing trend of women's economic independence in this part of the world.

How did you serve your local community?

I participated with fellow Citi colleagues in the Personal Economics program organized by INJAZ Al -Arab. The program provides 12 to 15-year-old students a hands-on, practical introduction to personal finance, credit and debt, savings and investments, and budgeting. Through role play activities, we helped the students prepare for job interviews and learn about pay slips, checks, deposits, earnings and expense management.

What are you most proud of from your volunteering experience?

The energy and enthusiasm of this group of girls helped me feel like I had successfully communicated how important goal setting and financial planning are to their personal success. Listening to them share their dreams of being doctors, traveling, getting married or studying space, and how they now understand the role a financial plan plays in achieving these dreams, was a very rewarding experience.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start volunteering in their community?

I would tell them to:
• Be curious about initiatives around you.
• Do it. Don't delay otherwise you will never do it.
• Be humble and don't step in as teacher or truth owner.
• Be committed. Once you agree to take part in a volunteering project don't withdraw at the last minute.

In what ways do you think volunteering makes a difference?

The importance of volunteering is that it conveys a strong message that "everyone counts." When someone volunteers his/her skills, there is a considerable added value service that positively impacts the community.

I believe that volunteer programs that help low income and youth segments of society adopt positive financial behavior and disciplined money management practices will translate into the creation of small enterprises and a better equipped workforce, which both contribute to the foundation of a sustainably developed community.

What organization will/did you volunteer with for this year's Global Community Day?

This year, I joined over 2000 employees in 11 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to help support children in our communities. Our volunteer work included answering basic needs (clothing, games, electronics etc.) and educational needs (training, books donations, school stationery).