Buk bilong Pikinini Celebrates Literacy Week – Day 3: Focus on Nutrition Education for Parents
Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) continued its Literacy Week celebrations today with a strong focus on Nutrition Education for Parents, engaging parents across all of its Library Learning Centres (LLCs) in informative awareness sessions.
At BbP’s 9 Mile LLC, located at Monier Quarries, BbP’s Nutrition Program Team facilitated a Parents Nutrition Awareness Session to highlight the vital link between healthy diets, brain development, and improved learning outcomes for children.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of BbP’s 2025 Parents Nutrition Guide, a practical booklet designed to provide families with essential information and tips on childhood nutrition. The updated 30 page Parents Nutrition Guide was made possible through the generous support of Moore Printing, who contributed 2,000 printed copies valued at over K20,000. These booklets will be distributed to all parents across BbP’s Library Learning Centres, ensuring families have access to vital knowledge that supports their children’s holistic development.
“At Moore Printing, we believe in supporting initiatives that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” said Mr David Doig, Managing Director of Moore Printing. “Nutrition is a cornerstone of children’s health and education, and we are proud to partner with Buk bilong Pikinini to ensure parents are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to give their children the best possible start.”
The Parents Nutrition Guide also acknowledges BbP’s donor partners for their consistent support in delivering nutrition education activities. These include: the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, Exxon Mobil PNG, Sanitarium, Australian Export Consortia, Zenag, Ilimo and 9 Mile Farm, Trukai Industries Ltd, Waterfront Foodworld, Lae Biscuit Company, SVS Mart, The National, CPL, Chef Julz and The Locker Room Café and Bar.
Parents in attendance participated in engaging sessions led by BbP’s Nutrition Team, covering topics such as:
· The five food groups and balanced meals
· Healthy and affordable meal options
· Reading and understanding food labels
· The importance of nutritious food for children’s brain development
As part of the program, BbP students also delivered a lively presentation on “Everyday Foods vs Sometimes Foods.” They explained that Everyday Foods are healthy and essential for good health—such as proteins, which growing children need regularly for muscle repair and development. In contrast, Sometimes Foods are less healthy, can be addictive, and are not necessary for survival—such as cakes, which can be enjoyed occasionally during special events.
A team from Zenag was present at the session, including Raylyne John, Sales Supervisor for Zenag Port Moresby, who highlighted the nutritional value of eggs:
“Zenag is proud to be supporting Buk bilong Pikinini’s Literacy Week and Parents Awareness Session. Eggs are an essential food source rich in protein, nutrients, and minerals, making them ideal for a growing child’s diet. Eggs can be cooked in various ways—boiled, scrambled, omelette, poached, baked, or pickled—and can be included in all three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or served as snacks,” Ms John said.
To complement the awareness sessions, BbP’s Nutrition Team coordinated a cooking demonstration and lunch preparation with parents, assisted by BbP students acting as “mini chefs.” The interactive activity promoted parental involvement in the kitchen through simple and safe tasks with children.
Parents were then guided through a lunch box serving demonstration, showcasing how to plate a meal with food from all groups to ensure a balanced intake of nutrients. Following this, children were served a balanced lunch, reinforcing the importance of applying healthy nutrition practices in daily life.
The menu, which was affordable even in PNG’s current challenging economic climate—generously supported with food items by Trukai, Zenag, 9 Mile Farm, and Waterfront Foodworld—included boiled rice with tinned fish and vegetables, boiled eggs, fruit kebabs, and milk or kulau. Parents were encouraged to choose healthy and affordable ingredients and reminded that preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner at home for their children is vital, rather than resorting to ready-made and unhealthy street-sold foods for convenience.
BbP also received valuable feedback from parents reflecting the positive impact of the session and the importance of continuing to strengthen nutrition awareness alongside literacy.
Buk bilong Pikinini and its students, parents and team remain grateful to all donor partners for their continuous generosity and commitment in supporting the organisation’s efforts to promote literacy, nutrition, and lifelong learning.
