Buk bilong Pikinini launches a reader with TotalEnergies

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) today launched a reader entitled ‘When I Grow Up I want to be a Botanist’ created with female role model Dr. Jane Mogina, TotalEnergies Biodiversity Advisor.

200 Children from Buk bilong Pikinini’s Library Learning Centres in Port Moresby, travelled to the Nature Park to launch the reader with Dr. Jane Mogina and mini professional Joshray Frank.

The event saw Dr Jane Mogina, who is featured in the book read to 200 of the five- year-olds in attendance. In her remarks, she also pointed out that education begins at an early age and at home.

“I participated in this because I wanted to introduce the children to the concept of respect for the environment and that it should start at an early age,” she said.

“I wanted the children to get excited about the plants in their homes and villages and want to learn more about them because from a conservation point of view, the more you know about something, the more you learn to love it,” she adds.

This initiative showcases how, through the Project’s Socio-economic Development pillar of its National Content Plan, it aims to bolster targeted sectors, such as health and education.

“When I Grow Up, I want to be a Botanist” is a level 4 Buk bilong Pikinini Reader, which showcases the tasks of a Botanist and teachers the children about their environment and how plants grow.

Anne-Sophie Hermann, BbP Vice-Chair and Founder said: “We are grateful to TotalEnergies for their amazing support to create this beautiful reader for the children. It will be wonderful to see the children becoming more environmentally conscious and interested in pursuing a career which benefits us all.”

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.

Leanne Resson, BbP Executive Officer said: “It is vital for young children to have role models to aspire to so they can understand the importance of education and see themselves in professional roles they may otherwise not have thought possible. BbP publishes books with and for PNG’s children and we could not be more grateful for TotalEnergies create this reader.”

The ‘When I Grow Up’ series of readers is sponsored by the Sir Brian Bell Foundation and has received editing and design support from Wild Dog Books. Photography is by Roan Paul Photography and Richard Bridger of Buk bilong Pikinini. All written and compiled by BbP Founder Anne-Sophie Hermann.

The readers are available for purchase from Theodist and directly from Buk bilong Pikinini.