Baruni village gets a Buk bilong Pikinini Library Learning Centre
Today will see the opening of an additional Motu Koitabu village Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) Library Learning Centre (LLC). The first was opened in Pari village in 2019, followed by Vabukori in 2022 as part of a public-private partnership between Steamships Ltd., National Capital District Commission, Motu Koita Assembly, the Baruni Community Development Association and BbP. BbP also has an LLC on Tatana Island in partnership with City Pharmacy Limited.
Baruni Elementary School opened their new classrooms last week and have just welcomed more than 240 children to the school. One of the new classrooms has been allocated to BbP, for the charity organisation to deliver its popular Early Childhood Education program and Library services.
The Motu Koitabu villages are in great need of early learning programs to prepare young children for school. The new BbP LLC will also provide a much-needed boost to the education opportunities for all children in the village. More than ninety 5-year-old children have been enrolled in the Early Childhood program, which includes literacy, numeracy, health/general awareness, cultural knowledge and digital learning.
Many more students and children will be expected to attend the After-School Literacy support program, which welcomes mothers with toddlers for story-time sessions and primary/secondary students for a literacy support program.
Steamships Ltd. is a Platinum foundational partner of Buk bilong Pikinini, and has assisted with the establishment of LLCs since 2009, including in Lae and Goroka. The current commitment with the MKA and the NCD represents a K2 million investment.
Steamships will be sponsoring the operations, which includes delivery of BbPs highly efficient Early Childhood Literacy Development program, internally trained Teacher-Librarians, books and educational resources and materials.
The official opening ceremony will include a ribbon cutting and a welcome to the children who have been enrolled at the LLC.
Former BbP student, Lolatanya Sepoe, who is now in Grade 7, and lives in the village will sit down with the new students and share her experience of what to expect from the BbP program and how it has helped her to become a high achiever in her studies.
Mr. Iduhu Erue, Chairman of the Baruni Community Development Association said: “This is a very important addition to the general setting of the Elementary and Primary School at Baruni. Buk bilong Pikinini will surely bridge the gap between parental responsibility, general upbringing of children and a proper learning space through Buk bilong Pikinini. This should then translate into pupils who are groomed onto Prep, Grade 1 and beyond.”
Mr. Rupert Bray, Managing Director, Steamships Ltd., said: “This is a partnership that Steamships is very proud of as it contributes directly to supporting early childhood literacy and learning directly to the communities that we operate in and that historically been Steamships recruiting grounds. Part of the success of our business has been investing in our people and our communities. Buk bilong Pikinini objectives closely align with our core values of development and of always learning and improving.”
Mrs. Anne-Sophie Hermann, BbP Founder and Chairperson said:
“We are honored to have the opportunity to continue to reach more children in communities across the country together with our amazing partners. Thanks to the support from companies such as our Platinum foundational sponsor Steamships Ltd. As well as the NCDC, the BCDA and the MKA we are able to have a transformative impact on the lives of the thousands of children in our programs, ensuring that they are given the opportunity to achieve literacy and be able to help develop and contribute to the communities in which they live.”
Ms. Leanne Resson, BbP Executive Officer said: “We are grateful for the support from Steamships Ltd., BCDA, NCDC and the MKA and are looking forward to assisting the children enrolled at Baruni village Library Learning Centre with a comprehensive Early Childhood Education program, giving them the best educational foundation skills and school readiness.”
