More Than 200 Parents Gather for Buk Bilong Pikinini's First Community Nutrition Awareness Session
More than 200 parents and guardians gathered at St Steven Elementary School in 3 Mile, Lae, on Friday, 5 June 2026, to take part in Buk Bilong Pikinini's (BbP) first-ever external Parent Nutrition Awareness Session — a milestone event that brought practical nutrition education directly to families and communities.
The event forms part of BbP's established Nutrition Education Program (NEP), which was launched in 2024 and fully integrated into the organisation's early learning curriculum in 2025. Since then, nutrition education has been delivered across BbP's Library Learning Centres and the communities they serve, helping children and families better understand the importance of healthy eating and positive nutrition practices.
Through support from the Australian Government's Direct Aid Program (DAP) and The Chow Foundation, BbP has now expanded its reach by offering specialized nutrition training to teachers of the St Steven Elementary School, ensuring that children and families of the Lae Miles community can benefit from evidence-based nutrition education as well as new WASH facilities including a new water tank, sink as well as a security light for BbP’s St Steven Library Learning Centre (LLC).
As part of the project, teachers from St Steven Elementary School completed nutrition training delivered by BbP's Nutrition Education team, equipping them with the knowledge and practical tools needed to teach nutrition concepts in their classrooms and reinforce healthy habits among their students.
The Parent Nutrition Awareness Session officially launched on Friday, with parents and guardians from St Steven Elementary School and the St Steven Library Learning Centre visiting a range of interactive learning booths facilitated by BbP staff and their teachers.
The booths focused on healthy food choices, balanced diets, food groups, hygiene, meal planning, and the important link between nutrition, child development, and learning outcomes.
Speaking at the event, Buk Bilong Pikinini Founder and Vice Chair, Anne-Sophie Hermann, said the organisation was proud to share its nutrition expertise with schools and communities beyond its own centres.
"We are delighted to launch our inaugural Parent Nutrition Awareness Session today as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Mr Brenton Kanowski who have supported this Nutrition and WASH Project supported by The Chow Foundation and implemented by Buk bilong Pikinini. Through this project, we have provided nutrition training for St Steven Elementary School teachers, as well as a water tank, sink, and security lighting for Buk bilong Pikinini’s St Steven Library Learning Centre.
Today’s session gives parents the opportunity to learn about the importance of healthy nutrition and good hygiene practices to support the wellbeing and development of their children.
We are also pleased to welcome and acknowledge our valued partners and guests from the Australian Consulate-General’s Office, The Chow Foundation, Lae Biscuit Company, Mr Bart Phileomon, elder stateman and former patron of BbP, Express Freight Management, Colgate-Palmolive, Harmony Gold, Badili Hardware, St Steven Parish, and the Catholic Education Services.
We extend our sincere thanks to our dedicated Nutrition Education team and the Lae Teacher Librarians for their hard work in organising and delivering this important awareness session."
Since its implementation, BbP's Nutrition Education Program has demonstrated positive outcomes. Teachers report that children who regularly eat nutritious foods are more alert in the classroom, engage more actively in learning, retain information more effectively, and experience fewer absences due to illness. Parents have also reported positive changes in their children's behaviour, energy levels, and wellbeing at home.
Australian Consul-General in Lae, Mr Brenton Kanowski, commended the initiative and the strong community participation.
“Australia is pleased to support Buk Bilong Pikinini’s efforts to strengthen nutrition awareness among children, parents and teachers in Lae.”
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to improving education and wellbeing outcomes for Papua New Guinea’s next generation, and we are encouraged by the strong community participation in this initiative.”
Mr Simon Tokawa, representing The Chow Foundation and CEO, said supporting children's nutrition was an investment in the future of Papua New Guinea.
Mr Tokawa, on behalf of Mr John Chow, The Chow Foundation and Lae Biscuit Company, are very pleased to support BbP’s vision and are applaud Anne-Sophie Hermann and the BbP team for their efforts. He encouraged parents present to invest in this nutrition education program and seriously take as much they could from the awareness that was being conducted here today.
Buk Bilong Pikinini extends its sincere gratitude to the Australian Government through the Direct Aid Program, The Chow Foundation, St Steven Elementary School, St Steven Catholic Parish and the Diocese and the Provincial Education for Morobe, participating parents and guardians, and all partners who contributed to the success of the event.
The organisation is also deeply grateful to its nutrition program donors and supporters, whose contributions continue to strengthen nutrition education for children and families across PNG. These valued partners including The Australian Aid Program, The Chow Foundation and Lae Biscuit Company, Colgate-Palmolive, BNBM Trukai Industries, Air Niugini and PNGAir and many others who share BbP's vision of healthier, better-educated communities.
As the event concluded, parents left with practical knowledge, new skills, and a greater understanding of how everyday food choices can positively influence their children's health, learning, and future success.
Buk Bilong Pikinini remains committed to expanding access to nutrition education throughout PNG and welcomes opportunities to partner with schools, communities, and organisations interested in strengthening child nutrition outcomes.
