Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) recently marked National Disability Day, celebrated every year on the 29th of March.
BbP held awareness events at all its Library Learning Centres (LLCs) with the theme: “United in Action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for, with, and by persons with disabilities”.
BbP stated that all of its LLC’s are inclusive and welcomes the enrolment of children with different abilities, into its Early Childhood Education and After School programs.
“The importance of being welcoming, inclusive and tolerant is practised every day to reduce the stigma around disability and provide all children with an opportunity to become literate and educated.”
“BbP has children attending with disabilities such as hearing impairment, speech impairment, physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities and special needs.”
BbP has had an Inclusive Education program since 2008, has published two books, created numerous educational materials, and will release a Children’s Sign Language Dictionary later this year.
At BbP’s LLC at Evedahana Primary School, three children – Linda Sam (with a physical disability caused by TB on the spine), William Tata (blind), and Samantha Elvis (cerebral palsy) – are fully participating and enjoying the Early Childhood Education program.
The celebration today included a presentation to parents about inclusive education and awareness of various disabilities.
BbP’s Inclusive Education team read and signed the published book “I am Noah and this is my story,” written by Noah Agino, who is hearing impaired and has worked with BbP since 2008.
The children and their parents also enjoyed learning to count in sign language. (Sign language is one of four officially recognized languages in PNG.)
BbP’s published books and popular School Library Kits can be purchased via BbP’s web shop https://bukbilongpikinini.charity or by contacting the organisation directly.
The Sir Brian Bell Foundation sponsors BbP’s Inclusive Education program.