BbP has a new Patron!

Buk bilong Pikinini is proud to announce that we have a new Patron - Bart Philemon - former Treasurer in the PNG government and former member for Lae. BbP is trying to establish a network of support in both PNG and Australia of prominent and highly respected citizens who can help us to achieve our goals. BbP currently has H.E. Charles Lepani - PNG High Commissioner to Australia and Hon. Richard Marles - Minister for Pacific Islands Affairs; both very supportive and active Patrons.

This is what Mr. Philomen has to say about Buk bilong Pikinini and education in PNG:

"I am very pleased to be given the honor by the Buk bilong Pikinini to be one of its Patrons. I hope that during my term as Patron I can make positive contribution to Its future development.

The initial launching of this independent charity organisation in 2007 was a step taken in the right direction to provide early childhood learning. It is contributing in a small way towards filling a huge gap in the provision of educational services in PNG in particular focusing on the provision of libraries in selected areas in PNG. It is a sad fact that over 40% of our population are illiterate. Universal primary education is one of the United Nation's Millenium Development Goals which PNG together with other UN Member nations signed 12 years ago. PNG to date is performing so badly that it will not be able to achieve these Goals by 2015. The creation of Buk bilong Pikinini fits perfectly into these larger scheme of our dervelopment goals. We know that education is a vital road map in any nations building. It is a key that opens many doors.It is a light that enable one to find ones way in life

I take the opportunity to congratulate all those who had the vision to start and are leading in the development of Buk bilong Pikinini and I am very happy to be invited to ride on the back of its success so far."

BbP is very much looking forward to be working with Bart Philemon who has all the right qualities we could want in a Patron. Please view the interview by clicking on the link below where the former minister talks about leadership, education and the challenges faced in Papua New Guinea.

http://www.lowyinstitute.org/news-and-media/videos/leadership-and-corruption-png-interview-hon-bart-philemon-minister-public

BbP Patron visits Koki Markets Library

It was a special day for BbP on Monday the 5th of November 2012 as we received a visit by our Patron Hon. Richard Marles, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Islands Affairs. Mr. Marles visited our Koki Markets Buk bilong Pikinini library as well as our Buk bilong PapaMama (BbPM) Adult Literacy programme which we are piloting at our Koki Markets Community Library at the moment. PNG's Minister for Community Development, Youth and Religion Hon. Loujaya Toni, accompanied Mr. Marles on this visit and both enjoyed themselves immensely with the children.

Mr Marles said: “It was a real thrill to see the great work being achieved by Buk Bilong Pikinini, to see the children enjoying story-time and their parents taking part in the adult literacy program.

“I know what a pleasure it is to read with my own children and it is fantastic that Buk Bilong Pikinini is making that experience a reality for many families in PNG.”

Thank you!

Buk bilong Pikinini would like to thank the children at Canberra Boys Grammar for their financial donation and Canberra Girls Grammar Junior School for their financial donations raised during book week. Buk bilong Pikinini would also like to thank Veronica Peters, Oddur Augustsson and Graham Roni for personal financial donations made to us this month.

The funds we receive help us establish high quality children's libraries across Papua New Guinea where the children can not only borrow books but also learn to read and write, become proficient in numeracy and be informed on important societal issues thanks to our awareness programmes. You are helping us create a brighter future for the most vulnerable children of PNG. Thank you for your support!

NRL stars visit BbP library

NRL stars Martin Kennedy from the Sydney Roosters and Jason Tali from the Kumuls visited our library at the University of Papua New Guinea on Saturday the 22nd of September. The library was filled to the brim with children coming from the surrounding settlements eager to meet their idols. 

Martin Kennedy and Jason Tali read a book by Jaking Marimyas to the children and greatly enjoyed interacting with the children. 

Buk bilong Pikinini is currently exploring the possibility of entering into partnerships with sporting organisations such as the NRL, the PNG Sports Federation and Andrew Abel's Surfing Association of PNG to promote awareness about healthy living with the children and to create learning opportunities for children across PNG.