The story of Buk bilong Pikinini 

This story by Australia Network News explores the creation of Buk bilong Pikinini and the opening of our 4th library at the Six Mile Police Station.

Buk bilong Pikinini opened its eighth library, together with sponsors Oxford University Press and Hastings Deering, on the 4th of October 2011. The library is located in Port Moresby on the campus of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG). The land for the library was provided by UPNG and Vice Chancellor Professor Ross Hynes announced at the opening that Buk bilong Pikinini will be welcome to establish libraries on UPNG land across PNG. 

The children who have been coming to the library since September, when the doors were first opened, gave a wonderful dance and singing performance wearing their traditional costumes. Nine year old Josephine, who has learnt to read at our Six Mile library, read to the more than 100 invited guests. 

This library is the sixth Buk bilong Pikinini library in Port Moresby. 

Attention all book donors!

Buk bilong Pikinini is very fortunate to have regular book donations which are being shipped to PNG on a regular basis by Seafast.

However, due to new rules introduced by PNG customs all book donors must add a packing list to the shipping documents. The packing list just needs to specify the number of boxes donated and contents. There is no need to get down to too many details simply say, for example: 23 boxes of children's books, 2 boxes of puzzles, 4 boxes of books for adults. Thank you so much for your most precious donations and assistance!

With seven libraries already up and running in Papua New Guinea, Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) is currently planning to set up many more with the help of our supporters and donors.

Buk bilong Pikinini believes that children are the future and that education is the best pathway to improving quality of life and economic growth in Papua New Guinea. We aim to improve the children’s chances of gaining literacy by giving them access to quality books in a stimulating and caring environment. We employ trained librarians at each of our libraries to read to the children and to conduct literacy-based activities.

Our libraries have been a huge success with anywhere between 60-150 children visiting on certain days of the week.  Many children from the surrounding settlements return daily to these libraries, using this very real opportunity to improve their individual chances of one day being able to read and write - something most of us take for granted. Indeed, we currently estimate that across the country somewhere between 800-1000 children visit our libraries on any given weekday. 

The first Buk bilong Pikinini library was opened in April 2008, at the Children's HIV, Tuberculosis and Malnutrition ward at the Port Moresby General Hospital. This library is instrumental in helping the children recover from life threatening illnesses. Sponsored by Airways Hotel.

The second library was opened in September 2008 at the Red Cross Special Education and Resource Centre at Hohola, Port Moresby. This library seeks to support disabled children in their efforts to obtain an education. Sponsored by the Sidney Myer Foundation.

The third library opened in June 2009 and is situated next to the Lawes Road General Health Clinic, Port Moresby. This library was the first to be open to the public. Sponsored by Steamships Ltd.

The fourth library was opened in November 2009 at the Six Mile Police Station, market place and settlement just outside Port Moresby. This library is open to the public. Sponsored by Airways Hotel.

The fifth library was opened in December 2009. This is the first provincial library and is situated next to a number of health clinics on Bumbu Road, Eriku near the city centre. Open to the public. Sponsored by Steamships Ltd.

The sixth library was opened in May 2010 and is the second provincial library. It is situated in Goroka in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Open to the public. Sponsored by Steamships Ltd.

The seventh library was opened in November 2010 at Koki Markets in Port Moresby. This library is open to the public. A community sponsored project with a large number of donors.