Perak govt’s junior bazaar equips children with financial smarts

The bazaar proved an exciting event for all, especially children.

SOME 2,000 people attended the Bazaar Junior Perak 2023, a Perak government project jointly organised by Junior Chamber International Kinta (JCI Kinta) and Little Tauke at Meow Garden, Tambun.

Bazaar Junior Perak was initiated last year when it was known as School of Hope: Children Flea Market.

Due to the overwhelming response from parents and children, the project was held again on a bigger scale.

A series of comprehensive learning programmes were introduced to children aged six to 12, including a business training session, corporate visits, and culminating in a flea market.

Sales from the flea market totalled RM25,000 with 10% of profits going to designated charities.

A total of 60 stalls were run by 257 children, which included 74 sponsored children.

The children who participated in the flea market said they learned lessons about the importance of money, how to make smart financial decisions and manage their finances effectively.

They also had the chance to set up their own booths or stalls, where they sold products or services, interacted with customers, handled transactions, and tracked their earnings and expenses.

Project organising chairman Stephanie Hew said the bazaar aimed to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for children from multiracial backgrounds and that the organisers were committed to providing a space where everyone could thrive.

She said a diverse community was a strong community, and all children deserved to learn about financial literacy.

JCI Kinta president Tan Teck Yin said this programme aimed to provide a platform for children to showcase their creativity and develop their business skill.

He believed that empowering children with entrepreneurship skills was crucial to building a strong economy and a prosperous future for Perak.

State women’s development, family, social welfare and cooperative committee chairman Salbiah Mohamed said the bazaar would continue to be a tradition passed down from year to year.

This is an important step in developing and shaping the minds of our children to have a high entrepreneurial spirit, she said.