Do Children Start Better Banks?Amanda Warren But in the Fatehpuri neighborhood of Old Delhi, India, street children needed a way to keep their money safe. The Childrens Development Khazana [bank] (CDK) was created by, for, and run by children. Furthermore, it is open 7 days per week and deposits earn 3.5 percent. Deposits are kept small and daily withdrawals are permitted up to the equivalent of $8 U.S. dollars. It was started on the basis of adolescents losing or spending all of their money; and so many of them, unfortunately, have to work like adults either supporting themselves or their families. But there is also the stated intent for them to use their savings towards vocational training and enterprise. The banking there seems to be contingentupon the children joining the NGO program and using the shelter in some way, such as schooling. To helpbring them into the mainstream, says one organization teacher. That, and the awards and accolades it is receiving might explain why the initiative is spreading to other impoverished parts. At this point, its somewhat difficult to say how involved the adults are in these banks and if its really going to provide them with a future or encourage workforce and banking dependence at earlier ages. Do you, personally, think children could run a bank without outside help? Note: In the UK, scheme is often a neutral word for a plan or program, lacking the negative connotation it carries in the U.S. * I cannot help but note the ominous feeling from an NGO set up for children called Butterflies. For more information about the significance of that, visit VigilantCitizen.com, starting here (not for the fainthearted!) Recent articles by Amanda Warren 