Buk bilong Pikinini launches a new reader with the Sir Brian Bell Foundation – taking the series to 25 different professions

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) today launched a reader entitled ‘When I Grow Up I want to be a Warehouse Manager’ with role model Nash Mali, Lae Warehouse Manager and mini professional Colette Sikalu. The reader was launched with events in both Lae and Port Moresby.

BbP students invited the Sir Brian Bell Support Squad Team Members from several divisions to a special reading of the book today at the UPNG Library Learning Centre today. Brian Bell Group Warehouse Manager Nash Mali read the new book aloud to students accompanied by 5-year-old mini-professional Solcomp John.

Following the reading students attended special activities in a specially made warehouse to learn about supply chains, incoming and outgoing inventory at the warehouse, and stocktake with mini clipboards of an incoming shipments.

The students thoroughly enjoyed this experience learning about the role of a Warehouse Manager and watched a real forklift in action brought in from the Brian Bell team. Each student got an opportunity to sit in the fork lift.

Sir Brian Bell Foundation CEO & BbP Chairperson, Bronwyn Wright said: “The Sir Bell Foundation and the Brian Bell Group are humbled yet again to be part of Buk bilong Pikinini’s ‘When I Grow Up’ book series as we showcase the important work and leadership our warehouse managers provide to ensure the Brian Bell businesses across the country thrive every day.

Today’s launch is even more special as it provides us with a time to reflect on what our Brian Bell family lost at the hands of the unfortunate events of January 10th but also what we have overcome and now what we are doing to Build Back Better for PNG.”

BbP is grateful to the the Sir Brian Bell Foundation for providing sponsorship for the whole ‘When I Grow Up I want to be’ reader series so the students can explore the many possible careers and opportunities in store for their futures.

The Six new titles were published during Book Week 2024 and include:

-  ‘When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Warehouse Manager with role model Nash Mali

from Brian Bell Group.

-  ‘When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Veterinarian with role model Dr. Tania Areori from NAQIA

-  ‘When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Tugboat Captain' with role model Michelle Boyama from Pacific Towing

-  ‘When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Hotelier with role model Dorothy Morea from Grand

Papua Hotel

-  ‘When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Botanist with role model Dr Jane Mogina from Total Energies

-  ‘When I Grow Up, I Want to be an Accountant with role model Netanya Stanley from Nasfund.

You can buy your very own ‘When I grow up books to inspire your kids or students at Theodist and directly from BbP.

Anne-Sophie Hermann, BbP Vice-Chair and Founder said: “We are grateful to the Sir Brian Bell Foundation for their amazing support to create a Warehouse Manager reader but also for sponsorship for the series as a whole. We seek to inspire the children and students to think about what they want to be in the future and are grateful to have such amazing role models for locally available jobs assisting us. We could not be more grateful”

The WIGU series, now comprising 25 books, offers children a glimpse into a wide variety of careers they can aspire to pursue. Each book in the series helps students understand different professions, themes, and subjects, with ample visual clues and activities designed to aid in the learning process. These books, favoured by teachers and students alike, portray careers that are both essential and accessible within Papua New Guinea.

For many children, these books provide a valuable opportunity to learn about professions that they might not otherwise encounter. The series encourages young minds to dream big and recognize the importance of education in achieving their goals. Beyond being an excellent reading tool, the WIGU series also incorporates lessons in financial literacy, PNG culture, history, community-focused jobs, health awareness, agriculture, and wildlife conservation, enriching students' overall knowledge.