Banking on the future

The Leader

Numbers man: James Tanios is among staff from Gateway Credit Union, Sydney, who are gearing up for a volunteer mission in Cambodia.

AN Alfords Point resident is heading to Cambodia in September to teach children about community banking.

Gateway credit Union Data analyst, James Tanios, 25, said the volunteer mission was aimed at giving younger people the skills to manage money within their own community.

He said younger Cambodians had an important role to play in strengthening the country's economy, given there was distrust among the country's older residents towards banks after many lost their savings during the Cambodian civil war (1967-75).

The Cambodian Leadership Challenge is being held by Credit Union Foundation Australia, a charity that works in developing countries to establish financial literacy programs and community-based banks.

It includes a 250-kilometre bike ride through Cambodian villages.

As part of the trip, Mr Tanios must raise $3000 for the foundation.

A former student of Sydney Technical High School, Bexley, Mr Tanios is a parishioner at St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church in Arncliffe and once did missionary work in Thailand.

Donations: www.gatewaycu.

com.au/cambodia