The Herald
25 March 2009
By Rumbidzai Mashayahanya
BARCLAYS Bank and Junior Achievement Zimbabwe launched the three-year programme-Barclays/Junior Achievement Zimbabwe Talent for the Future Initiative — at Prince Edward School in Harare last week.
Zimbabwe has already received a US$90 000 grant to implement and expand the programme, 100 students are participating in this edition of the programme.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Education, Sport, Art and Culture Senator David Coltart said the initiative was a milestone in educating and addressing Zimbabwe’s economic challenges to young entrepreneurs. “This initiative will help foster the economic development of the participating communities to help our young people compete effectively in the global economy,” he said. Barclays managing director Mr George Guvamatanga said the organisation was delighted to be working with the youths to aid in the turn around of the economy since they are the anchors of the economy.
“Developing the youth is important to the sustainability of any business today and Barclays is delighted to be working with Junior Achievement Zimbabwe, to provide youth with the inspiration to start this journey of entrepreneurship,” said Mr Guvamatanga.
The programme’s launch came a few weeks after the International Women’s day commemorations and to this Mr Guvamatanga remarked that it was encouraging to note that female representation in the programme had increased as reflected by the number of girls schools and co-schools.
” This is a clear indication that as society we now realise the value of our girl children, Barclays is committed to investing in women and will definitely support initiatives that will provide us with female leadership,” he added. Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organisation dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy.
Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programmes for students.
The training focuses on three key content areas which are work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.
The programme has already reached more than four million students in the United States of America through the organisation’s 137 individual area operations.
“An additional five million students are expected to be served by operations in 123 other countries worldwide,” remarked Jo Ann Ross, Junior Achievement Zimbabwe board member. Barclays will work with Hewlett Packard to provide computer hardware and peripherals to the selected schools so that they can better serve the needs of the students and help them become computer-literate.