Buk bilong Pikinini celebrated a ground breaking ceremony with the Tatana Island community and donors on Thursday the 4th of July 2013. Joanne Grenenger (Executive Officer, BbP) together with community leaders and members, donors and children were excited to dig the first hole for the new Buk bilong Pikinini library.
The BbP library will be built over the next couple of weeks on Tatana Araira United Church land above the Tatana Island village. The Tatana Island community have been anticipating the arrival of a Buk bilong Pikinini library, which will help the community with access to learning opportunities and much needed high quality literacy materials.
The library building is sponsored by the Embassy of Switzerland in Australia and Stop nShop/CPL group will be providing funding for running costs. Land has been made available by the Tatana Araira United Church (pictured below right).
This is what Maru Korahi had to say on behalf of the community leaders: " It is a privilege and an honor to have a Buk bilong Pikinini library in our community. The church saw the need for their children to have such an important educational asset that they have provided land to build the library. This is the first time such an important asset has been established in Tatana Village. The whole community wishes to thank the generous donors from Switzerland, SnS-CPL group and community leaders Bobby Tau, Heni Madaha, Rev. Siosi Momoru and Rev. Tamasi Eau for making this library a reality, which will benefit all children in our community.”
Dr Stefan Kloetzli,
Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland in Australia said:
“Fostering education and promoting literacy is one of the priorities of Swiss Development Cooperation worldwide. The Embassy of Switzerland is therefore delighted to support a project for the construction of a Buk bilong Pikinini library on Tatana Island, which will allow access to books for children of PNG and hopefully awaken their pleasure for reading. We are very pleased to realise this project together with Buk bilong Pikinini, an experienced and well-established organisation in this regard.”
Mike Taylor, General Manager Stop n Shop Supermarkets, CPL Group of companies – who has been highly instrumental in communicating the needs of the community to Buk bilong Pikinini said: “Stop n Shop is so delighted to be able to assist with some of the educational needs of the children of Tatana and surrounding areas. The chance to learn how to read and write gives them a wonderful opportunity as they grow and up in their community.
