BUK BILONG PIKININI AND CPL FOUNDATION BRING FINANCIAL LITERACY TO LIFE AT TATANA MARKET DAY

Children at Buk bilong Pikinini’s (BbP) Tatana Library Learning Centre (LLC) put their learning into practice today through a fun and interactive Market Day activity held as part of Literacy Week celebrations.

Tatana LLC teachers, students and the BbP team welcomed the City Pharmacy Ltd Foundation (CPL Foundation) team to the centre to support the children as they took on different roles as customers, cashiers, stall operators and mini restaurant chefs.

The CPL Foundation team included Ms Deborah Alois, Manager for CPL Foundation Inc., Ms Janice Ulaiwi, Programs Officer, and four City Pharmacy Graduate Program members – Jenitha Wale, Ratei Mackenzie, Filma Kila and William Jr Bandi.

The CPL Foundation and graduate team assisted the children to withdraw pretend money from a pretend BSP ATM before heading to the various market stalls to purchase items, calculate their spending, collect their change and practice selling items as mini cashiers. Children also took on the role of mini restaurant chefs, preparing and serving food and beverages at the Restaurant Stall with the support of their parents.

The Market Day featured a range of stalls designed to give children a practical understanding of everyday financial literacy, including a Craft Stall with items supplied by parents; a Stationery Stall featuring items supplied by BbP, including materials collected and shipped to PNG by volunteers and logistics partners in Australia; and a Supermarket Stall with food items donated by BbP supporters Sanitarium and CPL.

The children also enjoyed a Vegetable Stall, with fresh produce supplied by 9 Mile Farm, Waterfront Foodworld and parents, as well as a Restaurant Stall, where food and beverages were supplied by Trukai, 9 Mile Farm, Waterfront, Ilimo and CPL Water, with meals prepared by parents.

The activity provided children with an opportunity to practice basic money management, decision-making, communication, counting and teamwork in a setting that closely reflected a real marketplace.

CPL Foundation Inc. Manager Ms Deborah Alois said the Foundation was proud to support Tatana LLC and its focus on practical learning.

“CPL Foundation is proud to support Buk bilong Pikinini’s Tatana Library Learning Centre because children are gaining knowledge and skills that go beyond the classroom. Activities such as the Market Day build real-world confidence and financial literacy, alongside important learning in nutrition and STEM. This holistic approach is why we value our partnership with Buk bilong Pikinini and remain committed to supporting Tatana LLC.”

In addition to supporting the Tatana Market Day, CPL also supported BbP’s 2026 Literacy Week activities with 10 cartons of CPL bottled water. The contribution will assist with hydration and refreshments for children, teachers, volunteers and partners throughout the week’s activities across BbP’s Library Learning Centres.

BbP is grateful to the CPL Foundation, a Platinum Sponsor of Buk bilong Pikinini, for its ongoing support of the Tatana LLC since 2014. Over the years, thousands of children have benefited from the centre’s early childhood education and literacy programs, progressing to elementary, primary and secondary education.

Market Day forms part of BbP’s broader Literacy Week activities, demonstrating how literacy extends beyond reading and writing to include the practical skills children need to participate confidently in everyday life.

BbP thanks the CPL Foundation, its graduate program members, parents, teachers, donors and supporters who contributed to making the Tatana Market Day a fun, meaningful and educational experience for the children.