Buk bilong Pikinini celebrates graduation with CPL and newly crowned Miss Bird of Paradise PNG, Tyla Singirok

38 children enrolled at Buk bilong Pikinini’s (BbP) ECE Library Learning Centre on Tatana Island have today celebrated their graduation with a very special group of guests.

BbP teachers and children welcomed the inaugural and recently-crowned Miss Bird of Paradise PNG and Miss City Pharmacy, Miss Tyla Singirok and her pageant team including Chairlady Anna Bais, Treasurer Michelle Hau-Ofa, Deputy Chir Ruby Kerepa and CPL Group Marketing Manager Christopher Lam, City Pharmacy Marketing Manager Ms Momo Carol Ako and CPL Foundation Project Coordinator Regil Wanwanji to the CPL sponsored Library Learning Centre on Tatana Island.

After the opening prayers, 5-year-old Miss Cecilia Baia, read a Bbp published reader “My Village: Tatana Island”.

This was followed by a speech by Miss Bird of Paradise PNG, Miss Tyla Singirok, who congratulated the children on their graduation and said: “Our children at their age are easily influenced, it is at this time that we can instill in them the power of education and what education can bring to their lives, their families, their communities and our Nation. The Buk bilong Pikinini initiative here at Tatana is a beautiful approach to addressing literacy in our country. Our children have the potential.” She went on to reiterate that her crown is a “crown of service and one that has a purpose”. Ms Singirok also mentioned the importance of inclusive education and mentioned that her brother is hearing impaired and has not had the opportunity to graduate. She went on to present the children with their certificates.

CPL had also arranged for special gifts for ‘Most Outstanding’ students Cecilia Baia, Baia Bogamase and Kovea Bobby / Moses Kato receiving awards for ‘Most Improvement. In addition to this all children also received CPL Gift bags, juice and biscuits.

CPL Group Marketing Manager Christopher Lam said; “There is clear evidence on the island of the impact on education levels and the excellent educational opportunities for students thanks to the BbP Library Learning

Centre (LLC), which has received personal support from Sir Mahesh Patel and the CPL Foundation since 2012.”

Leanne Resson, BbP Executive officer said: ”When children are able to attend a comprehensive and inclusive Early Childhood Education program such as the one offered by BbP, which includes the teaching of phonics, ample reading and writing activities, numeracy teaching, sign language, digital learning through the BbP App, and the opportunity to take books home every

day – there is no doubt that the student’s comprehension skills in English are advanced and that they will obtain good academic outcomes. This is turn will lead to the opportunity for more students to enter high school – as has been the case on Tatana Island - and progress to longer term education and studies.”

The annual sponsorship funding for the operational costs of the LLC, which has represented an investment by Sir Mahesh Patel, CPL Foundation and CPL Group of more than 700,000 Kina over the 11-year period is set to continue thanks to a new MoU signed earlier this year. In addition to the LLC sponsorship, all BbP’s Port Moresby-based Library Learning Centre children and families have also benefitted from the CPL Nurse Health Education Program and health-care guidance sessions.

BbP is grateful for the support from Sir Mahesh Patel, the CPL Foundation, CPL Group and Miss Bird of Paradise for support for the library and the children’s graduation today.