On Saturday, 25th July 2026, Absa Uganda, in partnership with Reach A Hand Uganda, hosted an impactful peer-learning session at Revival Girls Secondary School in Mbarara, extending financial literacy and life skills to 345 students.
The event marked another milestone in the second year of the strategic partnership built on an innovative peer-education model with Reach A Hand. The initiative blends practical mentorship with engaging entertainment to ensure vital financial concepts and co-curricular education resonate naturally with the young people.
The outreach delivered critical tools to help students navigate today’s economy, manage pocket money, and prepare for their future through signature initiatives like the Absa Ready to Work program as well as financial trainings for young women in business through the Leesu Initiative.
Olivia Ainembabazi of Absa Bank Mbarara Branch shared on the bank’s commitment to youth development and community impact saying,
“As Absa, we are giving back by supporting young business women through our programs here today. Starting young when understanding financial concepts like ‘save today and it’ll save you tomorrow’ helps young people prepare for emergencies while also protecting them from unnecessary debt when they carry and test out the knowledge with their friends and people at home.”
Highlighting the unique approach of the outreach, Mandela Talona, Programs Officer at Reach A Hand Uganda, noted that,
“We reach out to students with trained peer educators because young people pick up information better from people they relate with. With Absa on board, we are offer financial literacy sessions integrated by role models and with entertainment to keep students engaged while empowering them to make informed choices about their futures.”
The host school’s leadership also commended the program’s holistic contribution to student development with Deputy Headteacher at Revival Girls High School, Kiwanuka John saying,
“Such programs help bring out the courage and industriousness in our learners. They equip students with practical entrepreneurial skills needed for the world of work, aligning seamlessly with the new curriculum. Beyond the practical knowledge, the social interactions also leave our students energized and truly inspired.”
Since March 2026 alone, the partnership has reached over 10,000 students across 12 schools in Mbarara and the neighboring areas, with plans to expand to 20 more schools across the region by the end of the year.
Through ongoing collaborations like this, Absa Bank continues to be a force for good in the communities they serve while empowering youth and building resilient communities.
