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Pusat Peralatan 
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Forum 26 April 2012: More than learning to be thrifty, we are taking action to be responsible citizens of the world
100 children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, signed up to open a bank account each as the first step in saving the amount needed to become Silver members of the Friends of Asia Pacific WAGGGS (FAPW). To qualify to be a Silver member, each child needs to save at least GBP 80.
This initiative is a collaboration between the Brownie Guide unit of Bukit Damansara Primary School Kuala Lumpur, Pusat Bandar Damansara Branch of CIMB Bank and the FAPW Malaysia. Each child who signed up for the Junior Savers Account received a savings passbook, CIMB Junior recognition card, a soft toy and a t-shirt.
Raina Edlyn Jasmine Mohammed Rhiza, 9 years old, is all excited as this is her first experience of opening a bank account on her own. Her mother, Melor Edina Pahamin who is also a member of the FAPW said "This is a good opportunity to teach young children the value of money and train them on responsible spending. We also hope this will further inspire the children to be more caring to the community around them and to contribute their little parts towards a better world".
Most of the children are Brownie Guides while the rest are children from the school or siblings of the Brownie Guides. The FAPW Malaysia targeted to get 200 children to sign up for the account and pledge to be members of the FAPW. They will also promote the same programme with the Junior Guide unit of Seri Hartamas Secondary School Kuala Lumpur.
Marsya Ali, 12 years old said "I am saving up and contributing to be a member of the Friends of Asia Pacific WAGGGS as I want to help other girls in the Region".
The FAPW Malaysia stated that this is one of their strategies to raise funds and increase membership for the FAPW as they believe that they should share with more people the noble cause that they are contributing to.
"There is no age limit to become a member of the Friends of Asia Pacific WAGGGS. Previously, we had members as young as 4 years old signing up as members of the FAPW and we hope that this will inspire more girls and young women to play their parts as responsible citizens of the world. We wish to thank all the parents who are so supportive of our efforts, as they not only provided financial support but also volunteered their time and energy to make this happen". said Chempaka Emalin Pahamin, Chairman of the FAPW Working Group and country coordinator of the FAPW Malaysia.
Alissa Leya, 12 years old said "I hope that my little contribution can help WAGGGS’ work in advocacy programmes like the Stop the Violence campaign".
The Brownie Guides who signed up for the account are also working for the Thrifty Badge at the same time as they are saving up for the fees of the FAPW. Their leaders will monitor their savings for the 3 months necessary for them to work for the badge.
The girls were all excited about this project as their target is to raise enough for the fees by the time of the FAPW Malaysia’s 10th Anniversary event in June. The girls are already planning and practicing for the performances that they will present at the “Girls Go Green” Dinner at the 10th Anniversary event. It is expected that the girls and some of their parents will pledge their membership to the FAPW and receive their membership pins and certificates at the dinner.
Kasih Iris Leona Azhar, 10 years old, planned to bake and sell rainbow cupcakes to raise funds to achieve the amount of fees for her Silver membership of the FAPW.
The membership fees of the FAPW have benefitted many girls and young women in the Asia Pacific Region since the establishment of the FAPW in 1999. These include the funding of girls and young women to international leadership development and capacity building courses as well as funding of skills development and community service projects around the Region. To learn more about the FAPW, please visit here. You can also see a summary of projects funded by the FAPW here (http://asia.wagggsworld.org/en/about/whatwedo/projects)
