In May and June 2026, Avocado Vision was invited by a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) based in Roodepan, Kimberley to deliver the Sanlam Financial Literacy Programme to community members in one of the Northern Cape’s most underserved urban communities. The programme combined the Sanlam Money “fo” Sho foundational curriculum with seven targeted Money Modulars, creating a rich and comprehensive financial education experience for a diverse group of participants. The community that participated was beautifully diverse — bringing together youth from the age of 17, women, persons with disabilities, and older members of the community aged between 50 and 58. This cross-generational mix enriched every session, as participants drew on each other’s lived experiences to make the content real, relevant, and deeply personal. The inclusion of Module 9: Money & Beliefs was particularly significant for this community. Financial decision-making is deeply shaped by cultural values, family narratives, and long-held beliefs — and this module created a safe space for participants to examine and reimagine their relationship with money. Module 13: Funding a Funeral addressed a reality that many South African families face unprepared, while Module 5: Boosting My Income opened up possibilities for participants to think beyond their current income streams. The programme reached a community where financial literacy has historically been out of reach. From teenagers navigating their first encounters with money to older adults planning for retirement and the cost of death, every session met participants exactly where they were. The following key outcomes were observed ● Youth empowerment: Young participants aged 16 and above engaged actively with the content, many encountering formal financial concepts — budgeting, saving, tax — for the very first time. The sessions sparked a new sense of financial agency and possibility. ● Women’s financial confidence: Women in the group responded strongly to the income-boosting and belief-shifting modules, leaving with practical strategies to supplement household income and a refreshed mindset around money. ● Inclusion of persons with disabilities: The presence and full participation of persons with disabilities was a reminder that financial literacy is a universal right — and these participants contributed meaningfully to group discussions and take-aways. ● Older participants and retirement readiness: The 50–58 age group found Modules 7 and 13 especially valuable, gaining clarity on retirement planning, the Two-Pot System, and practical approaches to funeral funding that do not leave families financially devastated. ● Cultural and belief transformation: Module 9 opened honest conversations about how community beliefs, family pressure, and cultural norms shape spending behaviour — conversations many participants said they had never had before. These were some of the feedback we got from the participants that attended these sessions: “I am 54 years old and no one has ever sat down and explained retirement to me like this. I now understand the Two-Pot System and I know exactly what questions to ask my employer. It is not too late for me.” — Participant, Roodepan – Module 7: Ageing Gracefully “The module on Money and Beliefs changed my whole thinking. I grew up believing that talking about money was rude. Now I understand that silence about money is what keeps families poor. I am going to talk to my children differently.” — Participant, Roodepan – Module 9: Money & Beliefs “I am 17 years old and I have never had a budget before. After this training, I made my very first budget and I found money I did not even know I was wasting. I shared it with my mother and she also wants to come to training.” — Youth Participant, Roodepan – Money “fo” Sho & Module 1 “Nobody ever told us about funeral policies and what they actually cover. I always thought we would find a plan when the time came. Now I know that a plan must come before the time comes.” — Participant, Roodepan – Module 13: Funding a Funeral The Sanlam Financial Literacy Programme delivered in Roodepan stands as a testament to what is possible when a financial education programme meets a willing and engaged community. Participants walked away not just with knowledge, but with a new relationship with money — one built on awareness, confidence, and intention. I'm proud to have facilitated this engagement on behalf of the Sanlam Foundation and Avocado Vision and remains committed to extending the reach of financial literacy to every corner of the Northern Cape. We believe that when a community understands money, it changes everything — from how families save, to how businesses grow, to how the next generation is raised.