Buk bilong Pikinini Celebrates Literacy Week Market Day with Financial and Nutritional Literacy Focus

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) today marked one of the most exciting highlights of its Literacy Week program with its Market Day activities held across all Library Learning Centres (LLCs).

BbP’s Market Day is designed to give children hands-on experience in financial literacy and nutritional literacy through fun, interactive role play activities. Students took on roles as mini cashiers, customers, shopkeepers, and mini chefs in the restaurant stall, where they prepared meals for their peers, learning the value of teamwork, healthy eating, and service — all with the support of BbP’s wonderful donor volunteers, teachers, parents, and team members.

Adding to the experience, children were able to visit a pretend BSP ATM to “withdraw” money for their shopping at the mini shop stalls and enjoy meals served at a lively mini restaurant stall, where mini chefs and wait staff role played by CPL volunteers were hospitable while serving their mini customers. BbP was also delighted to host a special visit from Chef Julz Henao of the Locker Room Café and Bar, who is a BbP Nutrition Ambassador seeking to promote healthy eating for children. He inspected the mini restaurant stall and got hands on with the mini chefs to prepare vegetables and meals.

This year’s Literacy Week is proudly supported by ExxonMobil PNG, together with product and merchandise donations for the market stalls from Sanitarium PNG, Australian Export Consortia and Market 2000, Trukai Ltd, CPL Foundation and CPL, Ilimo and 9 Mile Farm, Zenag, Waterfront Foodworld, and SVS Mart. BbP also thanks Chef Julz and the Sir Brian Bell Foundation for their valued support.

Today’s feature Market Day event was hosted at the UPNG Library Learning Centre on the University campus, where enthusiastic parents, teachers, and BbP staff brought the market to life. Volunteer visits included the Sir Brian Bell Foundation support squad, Zenag with Sales Supervisor Raylyne John and team, CPL Foundation and CPL team led by Foundation Manager Deborah Alois, Trukai Industries with their Tru and Kai mascots, SVS with their Bella the Cow mascot, Sanitarium & Australian Export Consortia represented by Mr. Adolf Katal. The BbP team also received much-appreciated vehicle support with a 25-seater bus provided by Black Swan International.

BbP extends its heartfelt appreciation to its generous sponsors, parents, teachers, volunteers and staff for making Market Day a memorable and impactful experience, fostering life skills that go hand-in-hand with literacy and learning.