Australian Foreign Affairs Minister opens new library for Tatana village

Minister Bishop reads a book to Catherson-Jackson after the opening of the new library for Tatana village

AUSTRALIA is helping a small independent not-for-profit organisation called Buk bilong Pikinini (books for children) establish children’s libraries and foster a love of reading and learning throughout Papua New Guinea.

In May with the help of generous funding from the Government of Australia Buk bilong Pikinini celebrated a milestone with the opening of their 15th library, located on Tatana Island outside Port Moresby.

The facility was opened by Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop on May 9, 2014.

Minister Bishop praised the initiative, saying: “of all the aid programs that the Australian Government has supported, I have rarely had more compliments and more feedback than about Buk bilong Pikinini...Today I am delighted to open a library near Port Moresby that, with Australia’s support, will help to improve children’s literacy and boost life opportunities in PNG… More than any other skill, reading gives people the ability to learn, participate in formal education and teach themselves. It is the key to self-empowerment and economic independence."

She added that the Australian and Papua New Guinean Governments will be working closely together on shared objectives such as this, which will help improve health and education outcomes.

In response local leader Tony Lancan whose community donated the land for this project, thanked the Australian Government and Buk bilong Pikinini for choosing Tatana Island as a recipient, describing it as a very valuable service that will benefit not just children but also the community as a whole.

This library for Tatana has also been made possible through the support of City Pharmacy Ltd and Embassy of Switzerland in Australia.

Founder of Buk bilong Pikinini, Anne-Sophie Hermann, said the library was not only for literacy development, but also for awareness on environment and health issues. She added that literacy was the key to development.

That importance of this is recognised by the private sector and donors in Papua New Guinea, as well as the Australian Government is evidenced by the enthusiastic and continuing support Buk bilong Pikinini receives. This is allowing the organisation to expand rapidly from humble beginnings into an influential network of 15 libraries, benefiting over 100,000 Papua New Guineans since 2007.

At present over 1,200 children are enrolled in literacy and numeracy awareness programs and there are also programs for their parents.

This expansion shows no signs of slowing down with plans to expand into new regions and lots of innovative ideas such as last month’s author’s workshop in Port Moresby to encourage Papua New Guineans to write books for their children.

So with recognition at the highest levels along with practical, principled and enthusiastic local management, Buk bilong Pikinini is a terrific success story, which is changing lives and enriching communities day by day.

So like all the best children’s books we’d like to end by saying, “AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER”, but of course the story is just beginning!

The Australian Government has supported Buk bilong Pikinini by providing K2.2 million in funding made available through the Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen program since 2012 and through the provision of Australian volunteers.