PNG LNG PROJECT SUPPORTS BUK BILONG PIKININI KOKI BRANCH

PNG LNG supports Buk Bilong Pikinini. Photo: Supplied

The PNG LNG Project has recently provided more than K90,000 to refurbish the Koki markets Buk Bilong Pikinini children’s library as part of the Project’s ongoing commitment to support and advance education in Papua New Guinea. The funds were used to replace floorboards, paint the building, provide water tanks, repair doors and windows, install insect screens, and build a ‘living hedge’ to improve the safety and overall functioning of the institution.

Buk Bilong Pikinini establishes children’s libraries throughout Papua New Guinea, and currently operates in 12 locations. The Koki library hosts between 80 and 100 children every day. Through facilitated early literacy classes and after-school homework and reading sessions, run by six passionate staff, the library provides a safe place for young children to learn to read, and also fosters a love of learning. In a recent initiative, adult literacy classes (Buk Bilong Papa Mama) have also been launched, aimed at improving the literacy of parents to better support the education of their children at a home level.

“Advancing education is a key priority on the PNG LNG Project, and our support for Buk Bilong Pikinini demonstrates our commitment,” PNG LNG Project Executive, Decie Autin said. “The library offers children the early academic tools they need to be successful in life, and we are proud to be a part of that effort.”

“Receiving this kind of support from the PNG LNG Project is overwhelming,” Buk Bilong Pikinini Executive Officer, Joanne Grenenger said. “We have been able to refurbish the building completely and create a fantastic space for the children. These kinds of contributions not only help improve the physical buildings, but they help to instil a sense of pride in the library for the whole community.”

In addition to financial contributions over the past three years, over 40 PNG LNG Project staff recently worked alongside community members for a volunteer morning of gardening, painting and cleaning to put the final touches on the refurbished building. Piles of books were sorted, stools and benches were painted in cheerful colours, shade cloth attached to the perimeter fence, and bright flowers planted