Since its beginnings in 2007, Buk Bilong Pikinini (BbP) has been lighting up the lives of young learners throughout Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The PNG LNG Project, operated by ExxonMobil PNG (EMPNG), has been a proud supporter this wonderful cause in local communities since 2011, with total giving now surpassing PGK2 million (or USD $500,000).
Over the past 14 years, EMPNG has partnered with BbP to provide countless children with valuable early childhood learning opportunities through a variety of educational offerings including community libraries, early childhood teacher training, and special events like Book Week and Literacy Week.
EMPNG Chairperson and Managing Director Tera Shandro said that from the colorful, well- resourced libraries to the smiles on students faces, the positive impacts of BbP’s programs are abundantly clear.
“We see the joy and enthusiasm these programs build both in the learners and their teachers and we know it’s working. It’s building a life-long love for learning that not only benefits the children, but their families and community as well.” “Early childhood is a such critical period for children’s development, so by partnering to support these programs we are providing a boost for a generation of children to reach their full potential,” said Shandro.
BbP Executive Officer, Leanne Resson said the partnership with EMPNG has enabled BBP to develop more educational content, procure quality teaching and learning resources, and extend training to support teachers in the communities they work in.
“From providing library books to communities to advocate the importance of literacy, to developing more resources particularly for digital learning, numeracy and STEM at an early age. We are able to run our literacy week programs yearly, provide teaching resources for our learning centers, train teachers, and support the preschools built by ExxonMobil at Papa, Lealea, Boera and Poreabada as well as supporting other sites around the country.”
