CONDUSEF launches 'Financial Strokes' children's drawing competition to teach kids about money

If there's one thing that stings for us in Mexico, it's reaching the end of the month with empty pockets. That's why, whenever CONDUSEF rolls up its sleeves and gets stuck into a workshop or an event for the little ones, it's genuinely heartening. Because we know that if children learn the value of money from a young age, they won't be scratching their heads as adults wondering where their paycheck vanished to.

That's precisely why the Federal Consumer Prosecutor's Office (known to its friends as CONDUSEF) has just unveiled the "Financial Strokes" children's drawing competition. And no, it's not some dull affair of numbers and tiny print; it's a straight-up invitation to the young artists of the house to show us, with their colours and imagination, how they'd go about managing their pocket money.

What's "Financial Strokes" all about?

The idea is wonderfully simple and really rather lovely. CONDUSEF wants children aged 6 to 12 to put on their thinking caps about things like saving, household spending, and why we shouldn't blow all our piggy bank savings on sweets. The central theme of the drawing should revolve around questions such as "How do you teach your family to look after money?" or "What would you do to make sure your money box is never empty?".

Entries will be accepted until 30th May at the various offices of the institution. And here's the thing: you don't need to live in the capital to take part. CONDUSEF has a long reach, and you can drop off your masterpieces at any of its regional offices. For instance, if you're up north, you can pop into the CONDUSEF Zacatecas office. If you're on the Gulf coast, the CONDUSEF Veracruz office will be just as thrilled to receive drawings. And for those living in the highlands, the CONDUSEF Pachuca Hidalgo office will also be a drop-off point. Kids can let their imaginations run wild without even leaving their home state.

Prizes worth having

As with any good competition, it's not just about the pride of taking part (though that's a huge thing in itself). CONDUSEF has lined up some rather splendid awards for the winners. Prizes include:

• Tablets for the first-place winners, ideal for exploring the digital world further (with parental controls, naturally).
• Educational games with a financial twist, so learning doesn't feel like homework.
• Packs of school supplies and books on financial literacy for the budding young artists.

The best part is that the winning drawings will be displayed at CONDUSEF's own premises and at various consumer fairs held throughout the year. So children can proudly show off to their mates: "Look, my artwork's on show at CONDUSEF."

More than a competition, a culture shift

Initiatives like "Financial Strokes" are a breath of fresh air. The truth is, here in Mexico we've been slowly, bit by bit, getting to grips with the idea of a saving culture, but there's still a long way to go. The fact that CONDUSEF takes the time to visit schools and now launch a drawing competition shows that financial education isn't just for those in suits and ties, but for the whole family.

So there you have it, mums and dads: print out the competition details, grab some plain paper or card, and get drawing with the kids. It's not just a chance to bag a brilliant prize, but also an opportunity to spend the afternoon chatting about why it's better to save for the future than to blow it all on a Friday night. If you want more details, just head to your nearest office: from the CONDUSEF Zacatecas office to the CONDUSEF Veracruz office and the CONDUSEF Pachuca Hidalgo office. The main thing is to get involved.