This year was Buk Bilong Pikinini’s (BbP) first ever participation at the Morobe Show in Lae.
Buk Bilong Pikinini was invited to set up a stall at the Theodist Education Pavilion at the Morobe Show on the 4th of November, 2023.
BbP provided an information booth to make available knowledge about the organization’s free Early Childhood Education Program (ECE), enrolment dates for 2024, as well as the great impact BbP program has had on the children’s English literacy skills, numeracy skills and general awareness.
The hundreds of kids who visited the BbP booth over the weekend also had the chance to buy books from the company’s hugely successful “When I Grow Up – I want to be a” reader series, which features 5-year-old PNG kids in professional settings.
Additionally, BbP had an exciting program for children and students which included a reading and activity corner that invited children to colour-in and think about what they want to be when they grow up.
Leanne Resson, BbP’s Executive Officer stated that the organization wasn’t sure how their presence would be seen by the wider Lae community.
“This was BbP’s first time participating in the event hence we didn’t know what to expect but hundreds of kids and parents came to BbP to enjoy their time, and we couldn’t be happier with their level of interest.”
“We were thrilled to witness the children’s excitement and enthusiasm about their future careers, spurred on by professional dress-up fun, and we sold so many of our educational books.”
Anne-Sophie Hermann, BbP Founder & Chairperson expressed her delight over the turnout during the Morobe Show.
“We were so glad to meet with so many parents and children from the Lae community and hear about their aspirations.”
“Education provides people with the choice to pursue a career that interests them.”
“If you are uneducated other people will choose for you.”
“If children start thinking about their future from a young age, they are more likely to stay at school and complete their education.”
She added that BbP were motivated by such a high interest in the organization’s ECE program and will be seeking to further expand in Lae.
Currently BbP operates two Library Learning Centres in Lae.
One is located at Lae Unitech and is sponsored by BSP Financial Group Limited and the other at Lae Showgrounds sponsored by the Sir Brian Bell Foundation.