CEFI’s Acting Executive Director Mr Peter Samuel joined 80 proud graduates at a heartwarming mini graduation ceremony held at Paglum SDA Secondary Hall, marking the successful completion of a three-day Retail Training programme.
The training , which concluded on Wednesday 18th March, brought together participants from the Ramoi Ouknimbo Community Development Association in Mul-Baiyer District, Western Highlands, an area now celebrating its first-ever financial literacy initiative of this calibre.
Other guests who witnessed the graduation included Acting Department Manager, Payments at Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) Mr Stephen Pouru, Senior Currency Officer Mr Delson Opos – BPNG, Mr Max Siwi from the Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea, and other key stakeholders.
In his congratulatory address, Mr Samuel encouraged graduates to harness their new skills to lift and improve their communities. “Put into good use the skills and knowledge learnt in this Retail Training. Let it transform your way of living,” Mr. Samuel said.
Mr. Rex Kuni from the Ramoi Ouknimbo Community Development Association said, “This was a first of its kind in our community and we are incredibly thankful to CEFI for recognising our association and delivering this training,”
The three-day retail training was facilitated by three women, Rita Krai, Angel Mong, and Lillian Namba.
According to one of the trainers, Rita Krai, she explained that the main purpose of the training is that, although people have money, they often spend it unwisely.
“That’s why we teach them to save specifically, two types of savings, emergency savings and general savings. The emergency savings help us to build upon our general savings more effectively. We also teach them to budget and track their cash flow, or keep proper records of it,” said Rita.
The journey began on Monday 16th March, when Mr Samuel opened the programme with a heartfelt speech acknowledging faith leaders, the church, and programme partners for their unwavering guidance. He paid special tribute to the dedicated CEFI Trainers and the warm community welcome that made the initiative possible.
His message resonated throughout the three days: unity, learning, and empowerment through practical skills and shared values.
The participants’ gratitude was palpable. For many, this training represented not just education, but recognition, opportunity, and hope for their community’s future.
Ends.
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About CEFI
CEFI was established under the Association Incorporation Act and officially launched on the 24th of April 2013. CEFI was endorsed by PNG’s National Executive Council (NEC) as the industry apex organization for coordinating, advocating and moniotoring all financial inclusion activities in PNG.
CEFI’s vision, mission and values focus on financial inclusion and literacy, poverty elimination and the promotion of vibrant financial institutional operation in Papua New Guinea.
Visit our website – www.thecefi.org
Media Contact:
Mr. Leslie Omaro
Communication Officer
Phone: 7464 5678
Email: lomaro@thecefi.org
