Buk bilong Pikinini celebrates 15th Anniversary at APEC Haus
Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) will this weekend be celebrating its 15th anniversary with a sold-out event at APEC Haus on Saturday evening.
Since its founding in 2007, the charity has established more than 25 Library Learning Centres, which feature a comprehensive Early Childhood Education program developed in-house by the organisation. BbP has provided more than 10,000 children with an opportunity to attend this free program for one year.
The ECD program includes teaching in literacy – with a very strong focus on phonics – numeracy, cultural knowledge, digital learning on tablets, health awareness, virtues and discipline – all required for the children to gain solid foundations before starting school.
Buk bilong Pikinini has brought more than 1,5 million high quality books to PNG and has restored hundreds of school libraries thanks to the generous long-term support from its sponsors. Public libraries, such as the Alotau Public Library and Resource Centre has received more than 10,000 books for its collection.
In addition to its Early Childhood Education program, BbP also offers Training and Communitity Educator upskilling, a comprehensive Inclusive and Special Needs program as well Digital skills training and use of BbP’s ECD app. The organization has also published more than 20 books and readers to ensure local content is available and that the children can recognize themselves in the books they read.
This week has seen the launch of a website-based e-commerce donation and gifting shop, which will allow donors across the world to gift a set of BbP’s published books or a school library kit to a school on the organisation’s waiting list. https://bukbilongpikinini.charity/bbp-web-shop/
Platinum donors include Steamships/Swire, Sir Brian Bell Foundation, BSP, PNGLNG/ ExxonMobil PNG, SEAFAST, Airways Hotel and Residences, Sir Theo Foundation, Monier, Hebou, Express Freight Management, Nasfund and PNG Air.
Diamond sponsors include Santos, CPL and the PNG High Commission in Canberra, Australia.
Gold sponsors include the Motu Koita Assembly, NCD, Roan Paul Photography, Pacific Palms Property, Hastings Deering, Theodist, Dentons, Deloitte, Green Cloud Consulting and the Swiss Embassy in Australia.
Silver sponsors include Puma Energy, OldPlantation, Credit Corporation, Total Energies, OK Tedi Mining, Lik Lik Skul Foundation, Kayop Investment Limited and Star Mart.
Bronze sponsors include the National Museum and Art Gallery, Remington Technology, Select PNG, Niunet, Corps Security.
In addition to these sponsors Buk bilong Pikinini receives support from 50 companies, organisations and book donors.
Anne-Sophie Hermann, BbP Founder and Chairperson said: “We are so incredibly grateful to our partners, sponsors and donors in both PNG and Australia, which have enabled Buk bilong Pikinini to grow and reach more schools, communities and children across the country. Over the past 15 years, we have sought to achieve our mission of helping to increase literacy rates - by re-establishing hundreds of school libraries, supporting public libraries with large book donations and building more than 25 BbP Library Learning Centres across the country – together with our generous donors and partners.
Yet much remains to be done. We believe libraries play a fundamental role in society as a gateway to knowledge and culture. The resources and services they offer – create opportunities for learning, support literacy and education. Quite simply, libraries offer a means by which we can gain access to knowledge.”
The event will be celebrated with a fun “Back to School” themed party, which include dinner, an impact documentary, a lolly shop, an Ilimo Ice cream cart, drinks, live music, DJ and dancing. An event not to be missed!
Events sponsors include: Airways Hotel, APEC Haus, Black Swan, BNG Trading, Brian Bell, Budget-rent-a-car, Coca-Cola, Corps Security, Crowne Hotel, Dajas, Department of Finance, Denani Designs, DJ Kainzy, House of Gemini, Ilimo Dairy Farm, Julie Hartshorn, Manukau Pacific Band, Oceania Beverage, Oldplantation
Pacific Industries, PNG Air, Paradise Brewery, Paradise Foods, Patrick's Transport, RH, Roan Paul Photography, Royal Papua Yacht Club, Spidertek, Sweet Heart Bakery – SVS, Tania Bale Nugent and Water PNG.
