PORT MORESBY GENERAL HOSPITAL
The first library established by Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) is situated at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) in the Children’s HIV/AIDS, Malnutrition and Tuberculosis ward. The library was set up in April 2008 and was the first library established by Buk bilong Pikinini as an organisation.
The site was chosen on a scale of need with an aim to help some of the most vulnerable in society – critically ill children. The children hospitalised in the ward are often required to stay at the hospital for up to 8-9 months for treatment and therefore miss out on school and other social activities.
In order to assist the children with their rehabilitation, Buk bilong Pikinini tries to foster a love of reading and learning through our daily literacy play-based learning program.
The hospital program is conducted in a very gentle and caring manner so that those who are very weak are still able to participate. Books are read out loud to the children followed by craft and writing activities that relate to the BbP curriculum and awareness activities.
The children love to come to the library for story time or for some fun colouring-in and learning opportunities.
The library is a positive space for the children which gives their days structure and something to do while hospitalised for long periods.
Nurses and doctors at the ward often comment about how the presence of the library has changed the atmosphere at the ward. Before the establishment of the library Dr. John Vince told BbP that “children would cry out of despair and boredom as they had nothing to do during the long hours and months of their hospitalisation” and that now “the children can hardly wait for the doctors and nurses to finish their morning round so that they can run to the library for their daily activities”. He also states that “the library creates a real focus and structure in the children’s daily lives at the ward which is highly instrumental in supporting their rehabilitation.
The library was sponsored by Airways Hotel for over ten year and is currently sponsored by the Sir Theo Foundation. Both are Constantinou Group of Companies.
Generously Sponsored by: Sir Theo Foundation
