What happens when an organisation that asks young people to give their time also creates space to invest in them?
At 40 Days Over 40 Smiles (4040), volunteerism is at the heart of what we do.
Our volunteers give their time, skills and energy to children, communities and one another. They show up alongside work, school and their own responsibilities because they believe in being part of something bigger.
But we also believe that volunteering should be an opportunity for personal growth.
That is why we created 4040 Connect, a space where volunteers can have honest conversations about the things young people are often expected to figure out on their own.
And on 18 July, we talked about money.
Let’s talk about money
Our 4040 Connect session, “Building Financial Freedom: Smart Money Habits for Young People,” brought volunteers together with Pumla Nabachwa, Team Lead Economist at the Bank of Uganda and a Certified Financial Literacy Trainer.
The conversation was practical and honest.
How do you budget?
When should you start investing?
How do you set financial goals?
How do you support others without neglecting your own financial wellbeing?
Because the truth is, money rarely comes with a manual.
Many young people leave school prepared to build careers, but not necessarily prepared to manage their first salary, plan their spending or make confident financial decisions.
For Hatimah Namakula, the session prompted some honest self-reflection:
“After this session, there are habits that I am going to drop. I usually just spend money. At the end of the day, I spend more than what I earn, and this has always confused me.”
That is what financial literacy can do. It can turn something that feels confusing into something you can begin to understand, and change.
Give, but give intentionally
The conversation also touched on something close to 4040’s heart: giving.
Young people give in many ways. They volunteer. They support family and friends. They contribute to causes they care about.
But generosity, too, needs a plan.
As Pumla reminded the volunteers:
“I am not saying volunteering is bad. It is good. We need it. But budget for it, so that your money is tracked.”
The message was not to give less.
It was to give intentionally.
Being financially responsible does not mean caring less about other people. It means understanding what you have, planning for it and making choices that allow you to support others without losing sight of your own financial goals.
Why this matters to 4040
Our volunteers are more than volunteers.
They are students, professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives and young people building careers, managing responsibilities and figuring out what comes next.
The work they do at 4040 is one part of their lives. 4040 Connect gives us an opportunity to support the other parts too.
Whether the conversation is about money, careers, leadership or personal development, we want our volunteers to leave with something they can use beyond 4040.
The financial freedom session was ultimately about agency, having the knowledge to make informed choices and the confidence to take responsibility for your future.
Because when young people are equipped to build stronger lives, they are better positioned to build stronger communities too.
That is what we want 4040 Connect to be: not just a space for volunteers to give, but a space where they can learn, grow and invest in themselves.
4040 Connect: Creating conversations that help young people navigate life, work and the future with greater confidence.
By Jemimmah Nabukeera