The Editor, Sir:

At present, young people - who make up the majority of the citizens in this country today - are complaining about the lack of job opportunities or the low salaries being paid at the workplace.

But, we need to get back to basics: We need to form the habit of saving.

As a six-year-old prep school student, I learned to budget how I would spend my weekly pocket money. I would put aside my church offering, my dues for Brownies, my school house dues and the money I would use for snacks.

Whatever was left over, I would save in the Churches Co-operative Credit Union through the Y.O.U.T.H Club. That habit of saving is making me on my way to financial independence today at 19 years old.

In addition to my savings in Churches, I have a deposit account at a commercial bank, own stocks and shares which I acquired through Mayberry Investment and also have a foreign exchange account at VMBS. In fact, if I added up all my savings at present, I would be able to make a down-payment on an apartment. Not bad going for a 19-year-old student, wouldn't you say?

Churches Credit Union not only started me on the road to acquiring material wealth, but also made it possible for me to fulfil my dream of pursuing a joint undergraduate degree in hospitality and tourism manage-ment at UWI and UTech.

Having been selected for the GSAT scholarship, which I received for five years while at Immaculate Conception High School, I was also honoured to receive a one-year bursary in my second year of the degree programme.

So, as you can see from my story, life is what you make it.

Therefore, I challenge you all today to work hard to make your life worthwhile. Give of your best at all times and never waste an opportunity.

I am, etc.,

Faithlyn Coke

Past Churches Credit Union scholarship recipient