From May 27th to June 1st the Central Bank of Suriname was present at the Children’s Book Fair in Paramaribo.
The activities at the fair were divided into different age categories, namely toddlers (age 4-6),

the middle groups of primary school (age 8-10) and the highest classes of primary school (age 11-14). Generally the activities are aimed to promote reading and to educate children in an entertaining way.

Puppet play
The Central Bank of Suriname organised a puppet play on money for the toddlers. The puppets told a story about money and their choice to consume or save money. Next, the children all received 0.25 cents, which they could spend in the mini shop. After consuming, they could put their change in the class’ piggy bank. In the weeks after the fair, the class could keep on saving. Savings collected would be donated by the class to other children in need. The class would then earn a piggy bank for every child.

Money quiz
For the older children (aged 8 – 14) a big tent was changed into a gaming arena. On four flat screen TV’s a stand-in for the Governor, Professor Master Wealth, would narrate to the children the history of money in Suriname: from the 17th century exchange goods and coins until our current Surinamese dollar. After the film an interactive quiz started, testing the children’s knowledge on money. Quiz winners received a clip-on reading lamp in line with the fair’s theme.

All information used was based on the Central Bank’s book ‘Ons Geld’ (Our Money) which was published last year. Moreover, this event fits right into the Central Bank’s goal to start financial education at an early age in order to upgrade society’s knowledge on financial issues.

Next to participating in this annual event, the Central Bank contributes to the newly launched Children’s Newspaper. An article on the Money Museum and one on uses of money were published on May 27th. The Central Bank will continue to contribute to this Children’s Newspaper each coming month.