The Australian Governor General visits BbP library

H.E. Quentin Bryce - the Australian Governor General visited our UPNG library on Friday the 24th of April

Children from Buk bilong Pikinini libraries across Port Moresby performed special awareness songs for the Governor General and invited guests. The children also demonstrated their excellent phonics and reading skills acquired at Buk bilong Pikinini  libraries.

Anne-Sophie was proud to announce a new Buk bilong Pikinini mobile library initiative to complement the excisting 11 libraries. This mobile library will be established in partnership with Ela Motors and with the support of the Make A Mark Australia (MAMA) Foundation – for which the Governor General is a patron. Ela motors has donated a brand new Toyota Hiace which is to be fitted out as a mobile library unit and MAMA has made a financial contribution of 10,000 Australian Dollars in support of this new programme. The mobile library will enable Buk bilong Pikinini to further work on its outreach to provide vulnerable children in Papua New Guinea with educational opportunities and high quality liteacy materials. Buk bilong Pikinini will be aiming to reach children in villages between the provincial capitals of Lae and Goroka and will enable the organisation to reach thousands of vulnerable children.

The event at the UPNG Buk bilong Pikinini library was also attended by Mrs. Linda O’Neill, wife of the PNG Prime Minister, the Australian High Commissioner H.E. Debra Stokes, donors, supporters, community members and all the parents of the children performing.

 For more pictures from the GG's visit click here.

Gadens Lawyers becomes a Silver Sponsor

Gadens Lawyers is a long term supporter of Buk bilong Pikinini and has now become a Silver Sponsor. The law firm did a book collection for BbP in 2011 and has been supporting BbP with legal documents since 2012 through Gadens Port Moresby Office.

Stephen Massa, Partner at Gadens Lawyers PNG, has been helping BbP update its Constitution and Association which has required a considerable amount of work to ensure that the document reflects the growth of the organisation. Stephen said: "It has been a genuinely rewarding experience assisting Buk bilong Pikinini update its constitution as it positions itself for the future. Buk bilong Pikinini has certainly grown significantly since its constitution was first put together. Buk bilong Pikinini's supporters (including me !) have much to look forward to. It has been a privilege to be able to assist in a small way."

Buk bilong Pikinini is deeply grateful to Stephen Massa and Gadens Lawyers for this support and is looking forward to the next task of creating a Trust fund to enable Buk bilong Pikinini to become sustainable into the future.

“Gadens is proud of the strong partnership we have built with the people of Papua New Guinea for over 40 years now. We are especially honoured to be associated with Buk bilong Pikinini and support the incredible work they do providing the essential tools of literacy to the children of Papua New Guinea,” said Gadens National Chairman Ian Clarke.

Pictured from the left H.E. Charles Lepani, PNG High Commissioner to Australia, Ian Clarke, Gadens National Chairman, Anne-Sophie and Frank Yourn, Executive Director Australia PNG Business Council.

Hastings Deering staff visit

Hastings Deering staff members from Australia and PNG paid a special visit to the BbP library at UPNG that they helped establish in 2011 in partnership with Oxford University Press. John Ritchie, Area Manager for PNG and Solomons Islands and BbP board director, presented a cheque to Joanne to help improve the exterior of the building. The children showed their gratitude to our generous donor and by singing and reading to the Hastings Deering staff who also read a story for the children. Hastings Deering, Platinum Founder Sponsor of BbP, has pledged ongoing support for the library at UPNG and were impressed with what they saw. Thank you Hastings Deering!

The Australian Electoral Commission supports Buk bilong Pikinini

Michelle Moss (pictured above), from the International Services of the Australian Electoral Commission, organised a morning tea this week to support Buk bilong Pikinini. BbP wishes to thank the Electoral Commissioner Ed Killesteyn (pictured above) and staff at the AEC for both donating funds and books to support the creation of more libraries in Papua New Guinea. We hope that this lovely idea of baking muffins and having a staff get together will inspire others to do the same. We are very grateful for your support.

Everyone please remember to vote!