Long-time OMEP Australia members Ann Farrell and Julie Davis visited the Buk bilong
Pikinini Library Learning Centre at the University of Papua New Guinea with OMEP
President Kym Simoncini.
Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2007 to improve literacy rates in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The organisation focuses on establishing children’s libraries and providing high-quality education programs.
It operates Library Learning Centres that offer early childhood literacy and numeracy programs. There are 18 Library Learning Centres across PNG serving as vital educational resources in communities with limited access to books and quality early education.
During the visit, children participated in a short phonics lesson, sang songs, and played
outside with maths resources to develop their numeracy skills. The early learning program runs for two hours daily, beginning with breakfast club. The centre also runs after-school programs in the afternoons and lends out its 3000 books.
The programs are so inspiring and we are so happy to support BbP in their wonderful work. OMEP Australia will donate toys to BbP as part of the Toy Library initiative. The toys are used in both morning and afternoon sessions and are equally well-loved.
We look forward to a long partnership with BbP.
