MPower membership is a family affair for Patrick Koongotema and his extended family.
With most members of Patrick’s family already signed up, his seventeen year old son, Irwin, is now one of MPower’s youngest members.
Irwin gets support from MPower and will soon use online banking independently.
‘Irwin joined up because the family want him to be responsible and manage his own finances’, said Patrick. ‘Irwin’s grandfather, Kenlock Yunkaporta, has been a member of MPower for a very long time, and he is a very independent man. One day Irwin will be independent like him too.’
As one of first members to sign up when the money management program was introduced in 2002, Kenlock is a strong supporter of the program. Over the years he has seen much change and continues to encourage others to join MPower.
With ongoing assistance from an MPower Consultant, Irwin is working on a budget to make regular contributions to household expenses and save for his future.
Patrick’s story highlights a long term impact of MPower—changes with one family member inspires change in others which is the cycle of family development and big picture change.