Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) learn about germs and worms with CPL

Hygiene is vital for nutritional health for children. To celebrate Literacy Week 2024, BbP invited doctors and nurses to the organisation’s Tatana Island Library Learning Centre, sponsored by CPL, to conduct hand hygiene awareness and health checks for the students.

As part of BbP’s newly launched Nutrition Education Program, the children have been learning to identify bacteria, fungi, virus and protozoa and spoke impressively about single cell organisms and fungi filaments.  Through an educational hand hygiene awareness with Dr. Sanjay of CPL and health nurse Marcie, the children learnt how to thoroughly wash their hands to avoid catching colds and other infectious diseases.

After the awareness session the children covered their hands in glitter (pretend germs) and got stuck into serious hand washing, which included the use of nail brushes to scrub away bacteria and worm eggs. A worm infestation hand out was provided to all parents and guidance for how to take the tablets proscribed and donated by CPL. To further encourage the children to wash their hands BbP had ‘pretend worms’ in jars to show that if you have parasites like intestinal worms, these worms will feed on your nutrition and make you very weak.

In order to make it a memorable and fun day for the children, BbP set up bubble machines and music for the children to enjoy a bubble dance and bubble chasing session. Thousands of bubbles flew around the children as they danced and waved their clean hands in the air.

The BbP nutrition program resources have been developed specifically for PNG children and the PNG context. They seek to focus on the importance of eating locally produced and grown fruits, vegetables, protein and grains found at markets and gardens to ensure children are eating a balanced diet for well-being and learning.

In addition to this, the guide also includes lessons and activities on hand and oral hygiene as this is a vital part of child health. If children are sick on a regular basis and not consuming enough nutritious foods, they risk becoming malnourished which will affect their well-being and ability to learn.

Picture book Superhero characters Tru and Kai are seeking to spend their powers helping friends, teachers and members of the community to improve their health and well-being and inspire children to eat for their own super powers.

BbP thanks the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, David Mead, Brian Bell Group, Trukai, CPL/CPL Foundation, the AHC JF and Deputy Joanne Laundes, Ilimo/9 Mile Farm, SVS Mart, Sanitarium, Moore printing, BSP, Colgate-Palmolive, Zucci Mode, the Sourcing Company, Panamex, Zenag eggs, Supreme group, Waterfront food world, Dolly RD Tuna, Theodist and of course our Literacy Week sponsor ExxonMobil PNG for your support for our nutrition program launch and activities.

Buk bilong Pikinini’s published books are available for purchase from Theodist and directly from Buk bilong Pikinini’s office and webshop: https://bukbilongpikinini.charity/