After an 8-week trial period, we’ve decided that the HSS “School Store” is here to stay!   Well-stocked and student-run, the HSS School Store offers students the opportunity to purchase or rent a variety of items: soap, school supplies, sanitary pads, toothbrushes, uniforms, jewelry, juice, candy, radios, sports equipment, art supplies, music books, seeds for gardening, solar lamps, and so much more.

“I bought seeds with some of my HOCET Shillings, now my garden has different vegetables and is doing very well. I even sell my  vegetables for real money!” -HSS StudentHere’s how it all started: we were interested in building an incentives program to help motivate students to work hard, make good choices, and get involved in school activities.  We also wanted to find a way to help our students have access to basic supplies that they needed, without necessarily giving “hand-outs.”  We felt this would be an opportunity to teach responsibility, decision-making, and financial management.  Many of our students have absolutely no financial support, or able caregivers who can help.  It has always been a fine balance for us  operating a school for teens who have such basic material needs, but who also have the absolute capability to meet their own needs, when given the opportunity. 

So we ran the idea by students, and it was met with great enthusiasm.  We invited kids from the art club at school to design the currency (see above).  Then we mass printed our Shilings, pooled together goods for the store, set up a student management team, and opened the HSS School Store doors at the beginning of the 2011 school year. 

It’s such a hit!

Students earn HOCET Shillings (our school’s new currency) through academic efforts and extra-curricular involvement.  The students experience first-hand how hard work pays off.   They even have personal savings accounts at the store to help them save their HOCET Shillings and learn about financial planning.

“The school store gives the students the opportunity to purchase or use items that they would otherwise not have access to. It gives them a sense of ownership, accomplishment, and confidence.” -HSS Staff member

Want to help?  You can make a donation specifically to help keep basic needs supplies — like soap, exercise books, pens/pencils, sanitary pads — fully stocked for our students.  You can also donate in-kind goods that we can make available in the school store, and have them delivered to the school through volunteers who come stay with us throughout the year!  Contact us at engage@kujali.org for questions or ideas to share.

Kate & The Kujali Team