Empower and Earn: Nauru Youth talk money in the Financial Literacy Workshop
The Nauru PAYA team hosted a successful Financial Literacy Workshop on 24th September 2025 at the Conference Room at Civic Centre, Aiwo, Nauru. This was held in celebration of Nauru’s National Youth Day as well as Sir Hammer DeRoburt Day (Nauru’s first President and founding father of the nation). The facilitators of this workshop were the local Nauru PAYA team members; Chairman Ankemwi Garoa, Alpha Diranga, Christina Rokobuli, Eirububwin Dabwido, Galizon Fritz, Issachar Adu and Rosita Rokobuli. Another key PAYA member, Marshall Bill was also a part of the organising.
This team agreed that an issue that youth in Nauru struggles with is the importance of understanding basic financial literacy skills. The Nauru Youth Monograph includes a consensus done in 2021 about main activity of young people aged 15-34 (it can be found here https://stats.gov.nr/2025/05/21/nauru-youth-monograph-launched/).
Anyone can earn an income, but it is the responsible management and understanding of money that is lacking in youth. It poses questions like “Why are there not more young entrepreneurs?” or “Why am I always living pay check to pay check?” or “Ok, now that I have a job, what do I do with this money?” The statistics suggest that Nauru youth do not know what to do with their money, to make it sustainable and become financially free. Nauru PAYA team realised that this mindset needs to change. This is where the Financial Literacy Workshop was created; to positively impact the youth of Nauru, encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and learn about financial literacy skills. The workshops main learning outcomes were:
Learn the basics of financial literacy.
Learn other ways to make income.
Learn ways to maximise the potential of the local services already available to them.
PROGRAM:
The team ensured to have a full program that covered basic financial literacy skills and have elements of fun and Nauruan culture.
Throughout the day, there were icebreakers and energizers led by Nauru PAYA team members, Galizon Fritz and Issachar Adu and Neotel generously sponsored the prizes for the winners. Games were a way to ensure the workshop atmosphere stayed vibrant and exciting. Many of our 36 participants even much-admired the games as most never experienced a workshop with that much fun and enthusiasm, especially the older participants.
Ice breaker session: Bingo
HIGHLIGHTS:
HIGHLIGHT 1: MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT OF ALL PARTICIPANTS WITH PRESENTERS & SPONSORS
Nauru Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Clarissa Jeremiah presenting session 1. PAYA team hosting the stakeholders meeting at Nauru National Museum.
PAYA Nauru team hosted a stakeholder’s meeting before the workshop commenced to plan effectively with the sponsors and invited presenters. From there, the workshop program flowed and knowledge of financial literacy skills and the available resources on island were successfully communicated to the youth. Clarissa Jeremiah’s presentation touched on the Bible verse regarding stewardship, or “Baruenbeo” in Nauruan, in Luke 16:1-12, the Parable of the Shrewd Manager.
Superlife Nauru and Social Welfare services informed the youth of Nauru of the services they provide for the employed youth. Trinina and Ramona highlighted the benefits of government workers regarding their retirement and family financial situations. Participants gained valuable insight with Kai Tours sharing his knowledge and experience as a young entrepreneur in the tourism industry. The NFGA promoted the importance of understanding and protecting the local plants of Nauru, and by doing so, can turn into a business venture of selling locally grown food at the markets.
HIGHLIGHT 2: MONEY PERSONALITY QUIZ
PAYA member Christina Rokobuli engaging in discussion with the “Contemporary” group. PAYA Workshop Facilitator Rosita Rokobuli presenting session 2.
Rosita Rokobuli led the session, where participants took an online quiz to find out which personality they fit into: The Enterpriser, The Realist, The Contemporary, The Minimalist, or The Socialite. This activity was an eye-opener to most about their current relationship with money. They were then separated according to their personality and Rosita encouraged them to engage in discussions about the strengths and weaknesses of their money personality. Each group offered very informative answers at the end, giving each other personal advice and discussions on personal reflection helped them understand their current financial situation in more depth. You can check out https://sorted.org.nz/tools/money-personality-quiz/ to find out your own money personality.
HIGHLIGHT 3: PAYA AND UNDP FRIENDSHIP DINNER AT THE BAY
Group photo at the Friendship dinner.
The Nauru PAYA team and UNDP invited the participants, presenters and sponsors to a networking dinner at the Anibare Bay Restaurant straight after the workshop. The dinner was fully sponsored by UNDP. The participants got to dress up in island formal attire, and the night was full of good vibes, food and games. Up and coming youth leader, Jali Harris was the MOC with Tapu Uera as the night’s entertainment. The night ended with the presentation of certificates for everyone.
CLOSING REMARKS:
Praise be to God for the success of this workshop and for helping the Nauru PAYA team organise it and leading us to the stakeholders who proudly supported us; PAYA Executive team, UNDP, Neotel, ESC, Capelle and Partner, Nauru Chamber of Commerce, Superlife Nauru, Social Welfare Services, Nauru National Youth Council, Kai Tours, NFGA, Nauru National Museum and our youth photographer Mason Mwareow. This collaboration embarks the beginning of more opportunities for the youth to promote PAYA’s vision of a thriving Pacific region led by empowered, principled and connected young people driving positive change while honouring their cultures and communities.
PAYA workshop team organizers and facilitators with volunteers.
Ma tubwa kor atsin turin/Thank you very much from Nauru PAYA team, God bless.
“It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow and transform” – Roy T. Bennett.
