K92 Mining and Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) have strengthened their education partnership through new initiatives aimed at improving early childhood learning and adult literacy across K92 Mining’s host communities.
As part of the partnership, K92 Mining’s Community Affairs and External Relations (CAER) Department and BbP identified two key areas of collaboration: Community Educator Training for Early Childhood Education and the co-development of Adult Literacy Program teaching and learning materials. Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen learning opportunities for children and adults in K92 Mining’s host communities.
K92 Mining Principal, Strategic Community Investments & Social Development, Dulciana Somare-Brash, said the partnership reflects K92’s commitment to supporting sustainable education initiatives across its host communities.
“The partnership with Buk bilong Pikinini has enabled us to explore education opportunities across different age groups, from early childhood education through to adult literacy,” Ms. Somare-Brash said.
Recent community consultations across K92 Mining’s Tier 1 host community of Bilimoia and neighboring villages highlighted the need for stronger early childhood learning opportunities and consistent adult literacy resources. These insights guided the decision to strengthen the education partnership with BbP, ensuring both early learning and foundational literacy programs are better aligned with the needs and priorities of host communities.
The Community Educator Training, delivered from 12–16 October 2026, was informed by observations from K92 Mining’s Adult Literacy Program, which highlighted a growing need for early childhood learning opportunities within host communities.
Ahead of the training, the BbP team, in collaboration with K92 Mining’s CAER Department, conducted community awareness and preliminary scoping visits to Watarais Community in Markham, Morobe Province, on 10 October, followed by Bilimoia 1 and Unantu in Kainantu, Eastern Highlands Province, on 11 October. The visits provided an opportunity to meet community members, introduce BbP’s approach to early childhood education and discuss opportunities to support young children’s learning.
The five-day training brought together 20 participants, comprising 19 females and one male, from Bilimoia, Watarais, Unantu and surrounding communities in Kainantu and Markham. The group included individuals with varied educational and professional backgrounds, including teaching, adult literacy education, agriculture, accounting, business studies and vocational education, as well as Adult Literacy Trainers from K92 Mining’s CAER Department.
Throughout the training, participants explored key areas of early childhood education, including child development, phonics, early literacy and numeracy, interactive reading, lesson planning, classroom and behavior management, child observation and inclusive education, including an introduction to sign language. They were also introduced to BbP’s early childhood education program and learning resources.
The sessions combined discussions, demonstrations and practical activities, highlighting how songs, storytelling, games, books and everyday materials can make learning enjoyable and meaningful for young children. Participants also explored ways to support children's confidence, communication and social skills as they prepare for formal schooling.
Following the training, participants can apply their knowledge by supporting early learning activities in their communities, strengthening their teaching practices and encouraging parents and caregivers to become involved in children's education. The training concluded with a certificate presentation, with participants expressing appreciation for the knowledge and practical skills gained.
Anne-Sophie Hermann, Founder and Vice-Chair of Buk bilong Pikinini, said:
“Buk bilong Pikinini is incredibly grateful to K92 Mining for the opportunity to support literacy development in remote villages, where education for children and adults is greatly needed and will have a meaningful impact. We are looking forward to the collaboration to provide high-quality, localized materials in both literacy and numeracy to foster a love of reading and learning for all.”
Building on this engagement, K92 Mining and BbP further expanded their partnership through the co-development of adult literacy resources. From 20–23 October 2026 in Port Moresby, K92 Mining’s Adult Literacy Program team worked with BbP to review the existing curriculum and commence the development of structured teaching and learning materials across all program levels.
The development of dedicated resources is an important step towards strengthening the quality and consistency of the Adult Literacy Program while ensuring materials are practical, relevant and suited to the communities where the program is delivered.
Leanne Resson, Lead Trainer and Executive Officer of Buk bilong Pikinini, said:
“The success of community-based training depends on the ability to adapt and tailor content to the unique needs, experiences and learning contexts of community educators. Understanding the local environment, culture and challenges is essential to ensuring that educators can effectively grasp and apply the concepts, methodologies and strategies presented during the training.
Facilitating learning in such settings is both a valuable and rewarding experience, providing opportunities to strengthen local capacity while fostering meaningful engagement with communities. It is particularly fulfilling to share knowledge and practical skills that can contribute to sustainable educational outcomes and community development as a whole.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to K92 Mining Limited, particularly its Community Affairs and External Relations (CAER) Department, for their continued support and collaboration in facilitating the training and engagement with the host communities.”
Divanna Umpao, Program Lead for K92 Mining’s Adult Literacy Program, said:
“By combining K92 Mining’s experience in delivering adult literacy training in remote communities with Buk bilong Pikinini’s expertise in education and resource development, this partnership aims to develop practical, learner-centred and culturally relevant teaching and learning materials that respond to the needs of our host communities.”
As K92 Mining’s CAER Department and Buk bilong Pikinini continue exploring opportunities to establish community-based early childhood education services in Bilimoia, Unantu, Watarais and surrounding communities, the induction training marks an important step towards developing local capacity and supporting early learning opportunities.
Through continued collaboration, mentoring and community involvement, the partnership aims to equip local people with the knowledge and skills to support young children’s learning, development and readiness for school, while strengthening adult literacy through relevant teaching and learning resources.
Buk bilong Pikinini acknowledges K92 Mining Limited, particularly its Community Affairs and External Relations (CAER) Department, for its support and collaboration in facilitating the training and advancing these education initiatives.
