‘Money matters for Kids!’ exhibit finds new home with BSP

‘Money matters for Kids!’ exhibit finds new home with BSP
Malaya Business Insight
September 9, 2011

The country’s leading advocate for financial inclusion, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), is the new home of "Money Matters for Kids!," a mobile interactive exhibit that teaches children from age six to 13 the value of saving.

Citi Country Officer for the Philippines Sanjiv Vohra represented the Citi Foundation during the signing of the deed of donation to the BSP together with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Executive Director Rafael Lopa and Museo Pambata Executive Director Maricel Montero. BSP Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr. received the donation and also led the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the exhibit unveiled at Metropolitan Museum of the Philippines. It will be available for viewing until October 29, 2011, after which BSP will take it around the country as part of their financial education campaign.

"Money Matters for Kids!," first opened to the public in 2009 at the Museo Pambata, who also designed and produced the exhibit with funding from the Citi Foundation and in partnership with PBSP. The exhibit aims to help parents and educators in introducing the concept of money to kids in a fun and engaging way. It features hands-on tools that encourage play and study while exploring money-related themes like knowing the difference between wants and needs, and developing the habit of spending and saving.

According to Vohra, "Financial education should not be underestimated. Even at a young age, it is important to start a conversation with our children on how they can become wise savers, careful spenders and smart consumers. So, we are very grateful that our long time partner in advocating financial literacy, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will continue and develop what we have started with ‘Money Matters for Kids!.’"

According to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., "This exhibit will be a great help in enriching our financial literacy initiatives and we look forward to transporting it to different cities, municipalities and provinces around the country. Being involved in financial education is a process, a long-term investment. Our taking over ‘Money Matters for Kids!’ is certainly in line with our advocacy and we will pursue its thrust to educate children about the values of money for them to have good financial decisions."

Elementary school students from Dona Aurora Quezon Elementary School joined officials of BSP, Citi Philippines, PBSP and Museo Pambata during the simple turnover rites, and also excitedly toured the exhibit when it opened.