Students of Sotsaduk Anusarn Sunthorn School, Chiang Mai Province.

Many people may wonder if hearing impairments affect spending habits. The answer is not necessarily, as long as proper communication is established. However, it is important to acknowledge that individuals with disabilities, particularly those with hearing impairments, often experience co-occurring speech impairments.

This translates to: "They can neither speak nor hear." So, the question is, can they use money? Yes, they can, if they are taught and understand the language in which they can communicate.

This is a great opportunity to participate in the Krungsri Auto "Financial Literacy for the Deaf" project.

The Krungsri Financial Literacy Program, "Money Matters Made Easy," was launched in 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Krungsri Bank. The program aims to instill financial discipline in young people and promote saving and wise spending habits. Krungsri Bank volunteers from various departments provide financial education and engage in activities with students nationwide.

Krungsri Bank volunteers from various departments

Krungsri Auto, a leading provider of comprehensive automotive financial services under Bank of Ayudhya PCL (Krungsri), recognizes the importance of providing financial literacy to all groups equally, especially those with hearing impairments. According to data from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security in 2017, there are over 320,000 people with hearing impairments in Thailand.

Volunteer Activities for Krungsri Employees

Driven by the belief that a strong foundation in financial literacy can break down barriers and create opportunities for a secure future, Krungsri Auto has expanded its activities to include students with hearing impairments in the upper primary level. The project, titled "Krungsri Auto Teaches Deaf Students About Money," provides fun and accessible financial literacy education, reducing learning limitations for this group of young people.

The students listened attentively as the teacher provided sign language interpretation.

Following a pilot activity at Setthasathein School under Royal Patronage in 2016, Krungsri Auto volunteers continued their outreach efforts in 2017 by collaborating with five schools for the deaf across Thailand:

• Thung Maha Mek School for the Deaf, Bangkok (2016)
• Prachinburi School for the Deaf, Prachinburi Province
• Udon Thani School for the Deaf, Udon Thani Province
• Anusarnsunthon School for the Deaf, Chiang Mai Province
• Songkhla School for the Deaf, Songkhla Province

The children had fun participating in activities with the volunteers.

The seniors started the activity of talking through sign language interpreters.

Following a successful pilot program in 2016 at the Setthasethi School under Royal Patronage, Krungsri Auto officially launched the project in 2017 with elementary school students in five schools for the deaf across the country. The project focuses on fun activities that reduce learning limitations for students. Volunteers from Krungsri Auto branches in the area also provide support for the activities.

Informal conversation

Students actively participated in the activities and interacted enthusiastically with the host.

The group leader divides the students into groups to prepare for the activity.

Pairote Chuenkrut, Chief Business Officer for Auto Loans at Krungsri Bank, said, "Krungsri Auto recognizes that young people with hearing impairments have limited access to learning media that are appropriate for their skills. Therefore, we have created the 'Krungsri Auto Teaches Deaf Students About Money' project to share our financial expertise with these children and to spark a sense of financial discipline, which will enhance their career opportunities and help them become self-sufficient in the future."

Siriporn Suphachartkan, Chairwoman of the Krungsri Auto Volunteer Committee for 2017, added that "People with hearing impairments have more learning limitations than other groups of people with disabilities because they have to rely mainly on their sense of sight for communication. According to data from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security in 2017, there are over 320,000 people with hearing impairments in Thailand. Krungsri Auto hopes that this project will be part of unlocking the potential of this group of young people, to support financial learning, which is an important foundation that allows people with disabilities to live a normal life like other people in society."

Group photo before starting the activity

A special performance of "Drumming for Victory" by hearing-impaired students.

Group formation to start the activity

Grouped.

Name the group after the leader of the Krungsri Volunteer Group.

"Think Before You Buy" Base: Teaching Students to Make Informed Purchasing Decisions

Sign language interpreter explains how to play.

"Smart Buy Base" is a base that deceives students into buying unnecessary luxury goods.

Children are thinking and making decisions about spending money.

The enjoyment of each activity base

What should I buy?

Capture a photo after completing each "Mini Heart" activity.

Faculty and volunteers pose for a group photo after the event.

Nong Kwang Chalatida Waehman and Nong First Itthipat Boonraunlu

After the activity, we had the opportunity to talk to the representatives of the hearing-impaired students, namely Kwan Cholthicha Wawahamn and First Itthiphat Bunranluer, about what they gained from the activity today.

Nong Kwang, a young woman who dreams of becoming a teacher after completing her master's degree.

Nong Kwang stated that the activity was very beneficial because it would provide her with guidance on how to manage her finances and save money. She has a dream of pursuing a doctoral degree and becoming a teacher, but this is contingent upon having sufficient savings to support her education and career advancement.

First, the future owner of a trendy coffee shop

For First, a coffee shop seems more suitable. Therefore, learning to manage money and save will surely lead him to his dream of opening his own trendy coffee shop.

Following the completion of the activities and a lively discussion, we joined the students for lunch at the school cafeteria. The volunteers from Krungsri and the teachers had prepared a delicious spread, including fried chicken, pizza, and the local favorite, "kway teow kai toon sen glom" (chicken and egg noodle soup with round noodles).

The children are eating their food in an orderly manner.

Exquisite Cuisine for Today

Line up to receive drinks in an orderly manner.

The seniors are happy and smiling from ear to ear.

After lunch, we had the opportunity to visit students with multiple disabilities, including hearing impairments and autism. The school also provides vocational training for these students.

Students are waiting for class while making keychains.

Sewing keychains

The teacher patiently and compassionately teaches.

Children are learning in groups.

In addition to teaching keychain sewing, the school also offers training in service-related tasks, such as bed making. Many graduates have successfully used these skills to find employment, demonstrating the significant achievements of both the instructors and the school. As a leading institution for training service personnel, the school empowers these individuals to contribute to society and secure their livelihoods through sustainable careers.

The Krungsri Auto project aims to educate students at the Sotsat School on financial literacy. The "Krungsri Financial Literacy: Learning Money Matters" activity is a valuable initiative that contributes to social responsibility. The next phase of the project will focus on the Sotsat School in Songkhla province, marking the final stage of this impactful program.

Note: Permission to photograph and publish images of the students was obtained from the school.

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