Buk bilong Pikinini Celebrates Literacy Week – Day 2: Focus on Financial Literacy

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) continued its Literacy Week celebrations today with the theme of Financial Literacy, engaging children across its Library Learning Centres (LLCs) in Port Moresby, Lae, Goroka, and Manus.

In Port Moresby, the feature event took place at Tatana Library Learning Centre on Tatana Island, proudly sponsored by the CPL Foundation. Students participated in a series of fun and interactive financial literacy activities, using BbP’s published books as resources, including “When I Grow Up I Want to be a Banker”, “When I Grow Up I Want to be an Accountant” and “The Animals of PNG Activity Book”. These readers introduce basic financial concepts tailored for 5- and 6-year-old children, helping them build essential life skills from an early age.

The event had a visit by the City Pharmacy Limited Foundation (CPLF), with CPLF Manager Deborah Alois, Program Officer Janice Ulaiwi, and a team of enthusiastic CPL Graduate Trainees – Anthon Soga, Cosmas Kas, Mellie Mong, Henrick Ah-Wong, Poksy Vinnie, Angelica Kup, and Delma Kandi – joining and assisting the children the activities including, selling fish to make money for ones income, making withdrawals at a pretend ATM, budgeting to plan what to spend ones money on and pretend shopping at a mini pretend shop and then ended with a shared reading of the “When I Grow Up I Want to be a Banker”. The CPL team worked alongside BbP teachers and students, guiding the children through activities and hands-on exercises that highlighted the importance of saving, budgeting, and financial responsibility. The students enjoyed the help from the CPLF professionals and the CPLF team were impressed with the student’s activities.

Leanne Resson, Executive Officer for Buk bilong Pikinini, was also in attendance and assisted at the activities at Tatana LLC and said, “Introducing financial literacy at an early age helps to build foundational life skills. Skills such as; budgeting and savings, where children learn how to manage money and set goals; Decision-making, where children understand needs versus wants in order to make smarter choices; Confidence – financially literate children feel more in control of their future. BbP is grateful for the CPL Foundation’s holistic partnership and support for our Literacy Week activities”.

Deborah Alois, Manager for the CPL Foundation stated “It was wonderful to engage with the students and see how much they were learning about financial literacy while having fun. We’re proud to support Tatana LLC and to have our CPL Graduate Trainees share in such an enriching experience.”

The Buk bilong Pikinini teachers and team extends its sincere appreciation to the CPL Foundation for its ongoing support in empowering young Papua New Guineans with vital literacy and life skills. Today’s celebration at Tatana LLC reflects BbP’s commitment to ensuring every child has access to knowledge that prepares them for a brighter future.