Buk bilong Pikinini
Annual Report for 2011 Contents
Contacts…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 2
The Buk Bilong Pikinini Story………………………………………………………………………….... Page 3
Statement from the Founder……………………………………………………………………………. Page 5
Our Development Strategy………………………………………………………………………………. Page 8
Our Logic Framework………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 14
Operational Structure………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 15
Map of BbP’s work…………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 16
The Libraries……………………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 17
Port Moresby General Hospital……………………………………………………………… Page 18
Hohola………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 20
Lawes Road…………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 22
Lae………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 25
6 Mile……………………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 27
Goroka……………………………………………………………………………………………….… Page 29
Koki……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 31
University of PNG………………………………………………………………………………… Page 34
Our 5-year strategic plan………………………………………………………………………………… Page 36
Thank you to all our donors, staff and volunteers…………………………………………… Page 37
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Contacts
Buk bilong Pikinini Founder Executive Director Mrs Anne Sophie Hermann Mrs Ali Nott C/- PNG High Commission PO BOX 5791 39 – 41 Forster Crescent Boroko Yarralumla ACT 2600 Port Moresby Australia Papua New Guinea
Phone: +61 2 6273 3322 Phone: +675 340 8827 Fax: +61 2 6273 3732 Fax: +675 325 5503 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
PNG Office Manager Early Childhood Development Co-ordinator Mrs Francesca Kupe Mrs Elizabeth Omeri PO BOX 5791 PO BOX 5791 Boroko Boroko Port Moresby Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea
Phone: +675 340 8827 Phone: +675 340 8827 Fax: +675 325 5503 Fax: +675 325 5503 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
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The Buk bilong Pikinini Story
Buk bilong Pikinini, meaning “Children’s books” in Papua New Guinean Pidgin, is a Non- Governmental Organisation based in PNG that aims to promote literacy and foster a love for reading among vulnerable children.
The idea behind Buk bilong Pikinini grew out of a strong sense of frustration and injustice shared by two expatriate women living in PNG. After arriving in Port Moresby in January 2007, our founder Anne-Sophie Hermann was stunned by the lack of access PNG children had to books. There are very few functioning libraries throughout PNG and – with the exception of Buk bilong Pikinini – even fewer that focus specifically on children’s literacy.
This lack of access to books in a country where almost half the population are illiterate was something that Anne-Sophie found entirely unacceptable. So, in 2007, she started working with BbP’s co-founder Anna Mukerjee to achieve one goal: to get books into the hands of children as a first step towards literacy.
From the very beginning, Buk bilong Pikinini has focussed on getting books into the hands of children who need them the most. This is why, in April 2008, our two founders established the first Buk bilong Pikinini library at the Children’s TB, HIV and Malnutrition Ward at Port Moresby General Hospital.
Few children in PNG are more in need of books than those living on this ward. Most of them are suffering from serious diseases which, among many other things, deny the children access to proper education and schooling. With the opening of our first library in the ward, these children have been given the opportunity to learn how to read and write, as well as a chance to escape their suffering through the joy and relief provided by books. Today, over 20 children a day continue to attend the library where they read, write, sing, play, paint and take part in activities that are vital to a child’s educational development.
In line with our philosophy to get books into the hands of the neediest children, we opened our second library only five months later at the Red Cross Special Resource Centre in Hohola, Port Moresby. Recognising the significant lack of support systems in PNG for people living with disabilities, Buk bilong Pikinini chose to focus on promoting literacy among children with hearing and learning disabilities. Today, we have two full-time librarians delivering a specially-designed syllabus in sign language to get children with hearing and learning disabilities reading and enjoying books.
Our third library, established at Lawes Road, Port Moresby, in May 2009, marked the beginning of a new and exciting time for Buk bilong Pikinini. The Lawes Road library was the first to be constructed outside an already established institution. Using the Ezy-House structure, Lawes road was our first self-contained, fully-independent library. It was also the first of our libraries to be constructed next to a settlement community.
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Immediately after opening Lawes Road, we realised that Buk bilong Pikinini was moving in the right direction. Our library became instantly popular among children and parents in the community. Over a hundred children were visiting the library daily; most of them highly disadvantaged children from the nearby settlement who had no other access to early childhood education. Following the success of Lawes road, we designed and implemented a structured literacy and numeracy syllabus to get our children reading and writing books. In a matter of months, we were seeing positive results from the children, some of whom were learning to read and write at an even higher level than those attending formal primary school.
Motivated by the success of our first three libraries, Buk bilong Pikinini established five more – all self-contained, independent libraries, staffed by full-time librarians delivering a structured syllabus in basic literacy and numeracy. All of these libraries are located near settlements, so that the thousands of children coming through our libraries every month are children who otherwise would have no access to books and learning materials.
Neither Anne-Sophie nor Anna could have dreamt that their desire to get books into the hands of children would have given rise to an organisation that is now a household name across Papua New Guinea’s major urban centres. On average, over 7000 children are learning how to read and write in our libraries every month – a feat we have achieved in the space of a few short years.
With continued support and loyalty from our sponsors, we aim to get books into the hands of tens of thousands of deprived children within the next five to ten years.
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Statement from our Founder
No skill is more crucial to the future of a child than literacy!
It is with great pleasure that I can announce - at the end of this turbulent year in the political arena - that Buk bilong Pikinini has spent another year striving to bring inspirational libraries to the children of Papua New Guinea.
We have made significant progress during the year to establish more libraries and substantially expand our support base, both in Australia and in Papua New Guinea. We have been able to train our staff to continue to carry out our ever-improving Literacy Based Learning and Awareness Programmes, which have been a great success with the children. We have developed a large number of documents guiding and supporting our organisation and have received great advice from members of our Board of Directors on financial statements. We have entered into important partnerships with World Vision and the Kokoda Track Foundation, and we are also looking forward to be working with AusAID from 2012. Buk bilong Pikinini has also been working to improve our marketing documents and we have had an excellent year with many stories in the PNG and Australian media.
Buk bilong Pikinini this year signed a contract with Nawae Constructions for a library in Alotau; it will open in Milne Bay Province in early 2012. We have signed a partnership agreement with World Vision to establish four libraries inside POM settlements. We are currently working on establishing libraries at 9 mile POM, Madang and Western Province in the not too distant future.
This year also saw the relocation of our book storage facility from the Airways compound to our new and larger capacity at Hastings Deering. Buk bilong Pikinini committee members have done a tremendous job this year to establish a book sorting and classification system. This will be necessary for the years to come, as large volumes of quality books are continually donated to the organisation and shipped in from Australia. Another relocation took place in Lae, with the Buk bilong Pikinini library moving to a new, more central location.
In October, we opened a library at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) campus, sponsored by Hastings Deering and Oxford University Press, on land provided by UPNG. At the opening, Vice Chancellor Ross Hynes announced that Buk bilong Pikinini would be welcome to establish libraries on UPNG land across the country. The Hon. Richard Marles, Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, also paid a visit to the UPNG library and was most impressed by what he saw.
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This year, we have produced a large number of documents to guide the organisation and others interested in our work. These include a Project Information Document, a Strategic Plan, a Financial Plan and three-year budget, a Disclaimer and Code of Conduct posted in all libraries, a Sponsorship Package (as well as this Annual Report). A new website is under construction, with a YouTube Channel, a Facebook page, a Twitter account and Paypal payment option available. This new and more informative website will be launched in February 2012 and will also feature the slightly modified logo with the text “Children’s Libraries”.
Through Buk bilong Pikinini’s Awareness Programme, a large number of UN and International days have been celebrated with the children in our libraries. Days such as Global Hand Washing Day, International Literacy Day, World Health Day and International AIDS Day, just to mention a few, have been featured to educate the children on matters that affect them directly.
We have held fundraising events such as the Trivia Night and Teddy Bear Picnic, received a grant from the prestigious Sidney Myer Foundation and have been working hard to encourage our sponsors to continue the great corporate responsibility they are showing by supporting Buk bilong Pikinini. I have sought support for Buk bilong Pikinini at the highest level of AusAID and am hopeful that we will receive support for capacity building through their Strogim Pipol Strongim Neson Programme commencing in 2012.
Buk bilong Pikinini has also had to say goodbye to some of the greatest assets the organisation has enjoyed for a number of years – Liana Hitchcock and Yvonne Henry – truly committed Buk bilong Pikinini committee members and Leanne Resson who was first employed as a Head Librarian which later developed into the role of Early Childhood Development Coordinator (ECDC). Buk bilong Pikinini will also have to say goodbye to a great friend and benefactor of the organisation, the legendary CEO of Nasfund, Mr. Rod Mitchell: Rod has not only provided guidance, advice and financial assistance but also office space for the organisation after I left PNG. Buk bilong Pikinini will shortly be moving to new office space with Nasfund – we are eternally grateful for their ongoing support.
Fortunately, Buk bilong Pikinini has also been able to welcome many more new library staff members –we have welcomed Francesca Kupe, our Office Manager, and Elizabeth Omeri, our new ECDC. Buk bilong Pikinini has also welcomed our first AYAD, Luke Ebbs, and hope to continue to work with AusTraining to obtain more enthusiastic AYADs like Luke.
Someone once said: “A library should be like a pair of open arms”. I believe that Buk bilong Pikinini is exactly that, working with communities, governments, organisations and businesses to create the best possible libraries for literacy to happen.
A sincere THANK YOU to the amazing efforts of the Head Office through the tireless guidance of our Executive Director Mrs Ali Nott, the executive committee and the
6 committee of volunteers, our most wonderful and inspirational staff members, to our Board of Directors for their invaluable advice, the PNG High Commissioner to Australia His Excellency Charles Lepani and his staff, our donors, sponsors and supporters.
We look forward with confidence to continue the organisation’s growth in 2012.
Let’s continue to make it happen!
Anne-Sophie Hermann
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Our Development Strategy
The Issues
1. Low literacy level and educational achievement
In 2006, adult and youth literacy rates were estimated at only 52% and 64% respectively – an increase of only two percentage points from their 1990 levels1. Lack of access to and poor quality of education are the major factors preventing PNG from achieving universal primary education improvement (Millennium Development Goal 2).
The new government led by Peter O’Neill has promised to provide free primary education for all children starting 2012, but most Papua New Guineans are sceptical. The same promise was made in 2008 by the former government led by Michael Somare, and so far, nothing has been done.
2. Lack of structures fostering literacy and early childhood development
Despite the international recognition of the importance of early education2, Early Childhood Development (ECD) is not included in PNG’s policy framework3. Today in PNG, early childhood learning is not compulsory and the government is not yet providing early education to children before they start formal schooling. Parents, extended families and private child-minding centres are consequently bearing responsibility for the education of young children.
3. Erosion of traditional ECD systems
Educating and caring for young children is becoming increasingly difficult with the erosion of the traditional “wantok” system4. The rapid increase in migrants from the village into urban centres has created gaps in traditional childcare options. Children are increasingly growing up alienated from their communities as well as from their customary duties and obligations.
1 EFA Global Monitoring Report: Literacy for Life, UNESCO (2006) 2 Scientific evidence increasingly demonstrates the impact of early experiences on brain development. According to the World Bank note on Early Childhood Development (2004), “early childhood development programs cost less - and produce more dramatic and lasting results - than education investments at any other level”. 3 According to the ECCD Policy (2007) “Sectoral policies in Health, Education, Social Welfare and Community Development make very little or no attempt to address the area of childhood development”. 4 The “wantok” system is PNG’s safety net, under which family and clan members are required to support each other.
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Community knowledge about early childhood education and development is no longer being passed on and parents are left on their own to care for their children with little or no support structures. These factors, coupled with the impoverished conditions that characterise urban settlements, do not form a healthy environment for early childhood development.
4. Vulnerable children lack opportunities to be in contact with books
In 1974, Port Moresby benefited from 34 functioning libraries spread throughout the city. Today, only a few libraries are still functioning outside the school system and most children have no opportunity to access books at all. While illiteracy has recently become a growing concern in PNG5, libraries are not yet viewed as a critical component in the educational process. BbP is working towards dispelling the myth that literacy can only be achieved through formal education and to promote the idea that libraries have an indispensable role to play in promoting literacy.
5. Vulnerable children are often not well prepared to enter in elementary schools
For many children, enrolment in grade one is the first exposure they have to a structured, formal education. This means that most children are not given an opportunity to develop the skills needed for a smooth transition into such a system. Skills such as classroom etiquette, concentration, listening and communication need to be developed early so that children are ready for school. Too many PNG children lack these basic skills and end up “bunking off”, dropping out of school early, or taking little away from their schooling.
Furthermore, elementary schools throughout PNG deliver most of their curriculum in English, despite the fact that many children are not ready for this. It is common in PNG for children to learn their Tok Ples (native language) first, then learn Tok Pisin (Pidgin) and eventually work towards mastering English as a third or even fourth language. For the majority of children who start school with no previous exposure to formal education, the expectation that they can speak an adequate level of English is often too high (this is particularly true for the increasing number of children migrating from rural villages, where Tok Ples is spoken, into urban centers where they are expected to know Pidgin and English).
5 Education experience Survey, Education language and literacy experience in PNG (2007)
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BbP aims to act as a bridge between informal and formal education so that even the poorest of children are socially, emotionally and linguistically prepared to begin their school.
6. Lack of community understanding and awareness on the importance of early childhood development
In PNG, an emphasis is placed on the formal education system that caters for children aged six years and above, with little or no understanding placed on the role of development and learning in early childhood. Yet, developing life skills and learning ability from an early age is absolutely necessary for a child to reach their full potential. The lack of community awareness on the importance of starting the learning process early is damaging. Among other things, this attitude conveys the message to children that education is a short-term obligation, rather than a life-long passion.
Our Strategy
Activity 1: Establish new libraries equipped with adequate reading and pedagogical materials
BbP aspires to provide the children of PNG with access to high quality books and learning resources in a caring and stimulating environment. Our libraries are stocked with some of the latest teaching resources including phonics kits, activities books, readers and teaching tools. We are currently running vigorous training programs to ensure our librarians are using these resources as effectively as possible.
The quality of the books we bring into the libraries is excellent. We ensure that the shelves are stocked with those books that truly capture children’s imagination and learning potential. We aim to provide our libraries with old children’s classics as well as the latest books that are popular among children all over the world.
The libraries themselves are, for the most part, very new, and perfectly suitable for what we do. They are all decorated beautifully with the paintings, pictures and stories created by the children. We have also trained our librarians to arrange the libraries professionally so that they create an environment conducive to early childhood learning. Such methods of arrangement include labelling doors, windows, and whiteboards, as well as plastering the
10 walls with posters of the alphabet, animals, colours, shapes and numbers. This all contributes to a passive learning environment where the children learn simply by being in the library.
Activity 2: Develop the library lending system and partnerships with surrounding schools
For most of our libraries, lending figures are high, and show a strong enthusiasm among the children to read at home as well as in the library (lending figures for each library are outlined in the section of this report entitled “The Libraries”). Children can borrow as many books as they wish each day (within reason), and are required to bring them back a few days later. This lending system is an important part of the libraries, and of the early childhood development we are trying to achieve. It encourages self-directed learning and delivers the message that reading is not a chore, but a passion, and should not be confined to educational institutions.
Recently, we have developed the “Bilum of Books” initiative – this involves sending out books to nearby schools, community groups, church societies and other organisations in order to get books into the hands of as many children as possible. We currently have too many books for our libraries, and rather than having precious books locked in storage, we strive to get them out into the communities that need them. We aim to expand this initiative in 2012 so that we can build stronger partnerships with more nearby schools. With stronger rapport between local schools, we can help send more disadvantaged children into school by setting up sponsorship systems – something we hope to establish by mid 2012. These relationships also reinforce our role as a bridge into formal schooling.
Activity 3: Offer reading sessions and learning activities to vulnerable children
At a BbP library, vulnerable children have access to a large variety of books and learning activities under the supervision of professional librarians. These activities and reading sessions are all built into an increasingly well-organised and professional syllabus that is adopted in all our libraries.
The syllabus is improving each year as our staff become increasingly professional and well trained. Our librarians will be following a syllabus in 2012 that focuses on phonics, arts and crafts, delivering a virtue of the week, a focus letter and number of the week, and raising
11 awareness on important community and health issues such as: basic hygiene, good manners, HIV/AIDS , gender awareness, preventing TB, and many more.
The syllabus is adapted to BbP’s role as a bridge between informal and formal schooling. We aim to teach our children the basics of reading, writing and numeracy while still preserving our main role as a library. Thus, children coming into our libraries benefit from a well- structured syllabus while still being free to enjoy books at their leisure.
Activity 4: Provide professional development of librarians and library assistants
There is no point offering books to children if they do not know how to read them. For this reason, BbP pays critical attention to the professional development of our librarians and library assistants.
Starting from January 2012, we will be running four training sessions a year for our staff. These sessions will focus on improving teaching strategies, showing staff how to use new teaching resources efficiently, and training staff to educate the children about important community and health issues.
We are much more than just a library. When our children leave us and move on to school (and hopefully university later down the track!), we want them fully equipped with the literacy and numeracy skills needed to excel.
Activity 5: Building community links and awareness
All existing libraries are located near urban settlements and, where possible, links are established with other development organisations and projects operating in the area. At Lawes Rd, BbP works alongside the baby and general health clinic managed by Hope Worldwide. The Hohola library is located in the Red Cross Special Education and Resource Centre. Goroka and Lae libraries are located in a shared space with the NGO, Susu Mamas. At Koki market, BbP is working alongside the Marie Stopes “well person” clinic. The first library opened in the children’s HIV/TB and Malnutrition Ward of Port Moresby General Hospital and is now instrumental in helping the children in their process of rehabilitation. The Six Mile library is surrounded by a community police station, a market and a clinic, and has built partnerships with them all to promote BbP’s message and encourage more children to visit the library. All these links are invaluable inroads into the communities we are trying to reach.
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BbP also places an emphasis on establishing links with children’s families by organising community events. At the end of 2011, for example, all our libraries have taken part in hosting events for International Literacy Day, World Aids Day and Disability Day. For all these events, we invite parents from the community to observe the shows and celebrations we organise in the libraries. The children showcase what they have learnt and created during the year, and often we have parents expressing their amazement and gratitude for the existence of the libraries. This support from the community is extremely encouraging. It shows an increased awareness among those living in settlements on the importance and value of early childhood education.
We also recently held the official opening of the Koki Community Library. This library is open to youths and adults in the Koki area. It is, however, disappointingly underutilised at present. We aim to promote awareness and organise events throughout 2012 to encourage more youths to make the most of the library.
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Buk bilong Pikinini’s Logic Framework
INTERVENTION LOGIC MONITORING INDICATORS
- On average, 7000 children across Papua New Guinea are Overall Objective – To contribute to child literacy and early childhood development in PNG in line benefitting from our existing eight libraries every month. with the second Millennium Development Goal – achieving Universal Primary Education.
Specific objectives - BbP Events such as International Literacy Day, Global Hand washing Day, World Aids day and others are increasing 1. To develop access to community-based libraries for illiterate and disadvantaged children awareness among children and parents on important Objectives community and health issues. 2. To deliver important messages about community and health issues to vulnerable children
3. To provide a “bridge” between informal and formal education - Building partnerships between libraries and nearby schools
4. To build community awareness on the value and benefits of literacy and ECD - Increased media exposure, as well as community events, are spreading BbP’s message across the nation
Result 1: Access to community-based children’s libraries is increased - 2011: BbP’s eighth new library established and equipped
Result 2: Children attending under-resourced schools have increased access to books, and links - 2011: Established the ‘Bilum of Books’ lending system between libraries and nearby schools are forged with other community-based schools
Result 3: Vulnerable children are learning to read & write, as well as receiving messages about - 2011: Illiterate children who started attending the Estimated important community and health issues libraries this year are now reading and writing (see the Results Result 4: With professionally trained staff, vulnerable children are learning to read and write in an library reports for more details here)
increasingly structured and efficient way - 2011/12: Established new training programs for staff Result 5: The children’s’ communities are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits and importance giving our librarians professional ECD training of early childhood education. - 2011: Library openings and special events days have seen parents from the community becoming increasingly involved and interested in the libraries Activity 1: Establish new libraries equipped with adequate reading and pedagogical materials Activity 2: Develop the library lending system and partnerships with surrounding schools
Activities Activity 3: Offer reading sessions and learning activities to vulnerable children Activity 4: Provide professional development of librarians and librarian assistants Activity 5: Building community links and awareness
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Operational Structure
Board of Directors (BbP Founder, BbP Executive Director, Main Corporate
Donors and other board members) The Executive Committee
Canberra Office Director Executive Director
VSO/Austraining/Other Office Manager The BbP Committee Professional Volunteer (Chaired by the Executive Director and Co-Chaired by the Office Manager)
Early Childhood Development Library Visits: Co-ordinator Guided Reading Book Sorting and Arts and Crafts Head Librarian Fundraising
Assistant/Community Librarian
Guard/Handyman
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Map of our Work
Madang – 1 Library (In initial stages of planning) Goroka – 1 Library
Lae – 1 Library
Port Moresby – 6 Libraries Alatou – 1 Library (under construction)
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The Libraries
Currently, Buk bilong Pikini has eight functioning libraries across PNG: six located in Port Moresby, one in Lae and another in Goroka. This section provides information on each of our libraries. It includes a brief background of each library, statistics on attendance and book lending, and success stories from children who attend the libraries regularly.
Our eight libraries, in chronological order of existence, are:
1. The Children’s HIV, TB and Malnutrition Ward of Port Moresby General Hospital
2. The Hohola Red Cross Special Education and Resource Centre
3. Next to the Lawes Road General Health Clinic in Konedobu, Port Moresby
4. Next to the Six Mile Police Station in Port Moresby
5. Bumbu Road, Eriku, Lae
6. Goroka city centre, ground floor of the Bird of Paradise Hotel
7. Koki markets, Port Moresby 8. University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby
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PORT MORESBY GENERAL HOSPITAL
Date Established: April 2008
Sponsored by: Airways
Staff: Head Librarian - Nara Keti
Average Monthly Attendance: 290
Average number of books lent each month: 49
Background:
The Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGH) library is BbP’s longest running library. It has been consistently funded by Airways since its opening in April 2008, as well as through various fundraising initiatives carried out by our Committee. Since opening, the library has made a significant transformation to the Children’s TB, HIV and Malnutrition Ward. As people walk into the ward, the library provides a source of light, colour and comfort that never existed before. This warm environment instantly attracts children on the ward to our book shelves, and provides an atmosphere conducive to healing and learning.
The children attending this library are, for the most part, seriously ill. They suffer from Malnutrition, HIV and TB, or a combination of the three. This obviously has a serious impact on their capacity to learn, which we try to offset by providing a simpler syllabus for the children to follow, and providing them with special books aimed at building the most basic literacy and numeracy skills. Also, since POMGH is the main public health provider for the entire country, children from remote villages who barely speak Pidgin, let alone English, also
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attend the library. While these children are most in need of our learning resources, they are also the hardest to provide for. Our Head Librarian, Nara Keti, is indispensable in overcoming these obstacles. She is a highly dedicated librarian with over 20 years of teaching experience. After two years in the library, she has developed methods for overcoming these barriers and getting the children reading.
Success Stories:
Theresa Loksy, Age 14
Theresa started attending the library in August 2011 after she was admitted to the ward with TB. Theresa is an orphan, and is looked after by her older sister who regularly visits her at the hospital. Theresa was very ill when she was first admitted, and hardly spoke to other children. At first, she seemed unenthusiastic and unable to concentrate.
Now, she attends the library every morning and is a very keen reader. Her confidence has grown, and her health has improved significantly. In the last few months, she has built on her basic understanding of the alphabet and numbers, and is now reading books and even able to do simple sums.
Before attending the library, Theresa had absolutely no access to books or reading materials. She lives in a settlement near 9 Mile with no electricity or running water, and attends school at a far lower grade than other girls her own age.
She wants to be a teacher when she grows up.
Kasi Opoia, Age 7
Kasi first found out about the library in June 2011 when she visited her sister who is a patient on the ward. After seeing the library during her visit, she decided to start attending on a daily basis. She was completely illiterate when she first visited the library, and could not speak English.
Three months later, Kasi began to recognise basic letters and numbers. Now, she is starting to sound out her letters, and her English has improved significantly. Her favourite book is the Hungry Caterpillar, which she can now read aloud to the rest of the children at the library.
Kasi is from a broken home, and never got the chance to go to school. Her father is amazed by the progress she has made so far.
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HOHOLA RED CROSS SPECIAL EDUCATION AND RESOURCE CENTER
Date Established: September 2008
Sponsored by: Myer Foundation
Staff:
Head Librarian – Noah Agino
Assistant Librarian – Lovelyn Kento
Average Monthly Attendance: 45
Average number of books lent each month: 49
Background:
Our second library was opened at the Red Cross Special Education and Resource Centre at Hohola. The library is located within the school buildings and students gain access to the library on a daily basis. The children are also welcome to use the library during their breaks and lunch time.
Given that most of the children attending this library are wholly or partially deaf, we have designed a special syllabus to help these children learn how to read and write using sign language. Noah and Lovelyn, our two librarians, are both fluent in sign language and have access to special resources that allow them to teach a basic literacy and numeracy syllabus to the children. Noah, our Head Librarian, is deaf and attended the school himself as a child.
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Success Stories:
Brian Grame, Age 11
Brian has attended the library since it first opened in September 2008. Unlike most of the children, Brian can talk and hear, yet, he has learning disabilities which hold him back at school.
In spite of this, Brian has been an active user of the library since it opened. He loves coming to the library and borrowing books so much that he has been known to skip his classes in order to sit in the library and read!
His dedication to reading has really paid off. He has learned sign language from our librarians, feels comfortable speaking English, and has started to read and write.
Willie, Age 14
Willie started coming to the library at the beginning of 2011. He is wholly deaf and attends the Red Cross Special School daily. He often comes into the library during his free time.
At the library, he has learned to read and write the letters of the alphabet, and his sign language has improved. He is behind most other students his age, but his determination to learn is strong, and our librarians at Hohola are spending extra time helping him with his sign language, reading and writing.
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LAWES ROAD
Date Established: May 2009
Sponsored by: Steamships
Staff:
Head Librarian – Sandy Kauk
Assistant Librarian – Julie-Anne Taria
Guard Handyman – Billy Kassam
Average Monthly Attendance: 904
Average number of books lent each month: 292
Background:
At the time of installation, the library at Lawes Road was the first of its kind on two fronts:
1. It operates as an independent stand-alone library (as opposed to Hohola and POMGH, which are located within already existing institutions). 2. It is located next to a settlement community.
Shortly after opening, it was clear that the idea of the stand-alone library and our choice of location were steps in the right direction for BbP. Lawes road library attracted large numbers of children each day; most of whom were, before the establishment of the library,
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spending their days hanging around the settlements bored and ignored by the education system.
It was not only the high attendance rates that testified to the success of Lawes road. We also received an unprecedented level of positive feedback from parents, guardians, community leaders and the children themselves. Furthermore, within a few months of opening the library, our librarians were noticing a distinct improvement in the reading and writing abilities of those children who were attending the library daily. This improvement was largely due to the new literacy and numeracy syllabus we put in place after opening Lawes Road.
We continue to see large numbers of children attending the library today. As our staff become increasingly well trained and the syllabus continues to improve, we are confident many of the children attending Lawes road regularly will be reading and ready for school.
Success Stories:
Maggie, Age 3 ½
Maggie has literally grown up in the Lawes Road library. She started attending the library when she was only one year old. Her mother is a nurse at the clinic located next door to the library, and drops her off each day before work.
Maggie is astoundingly well educated and developed for her age. After years of arts and crafts activities in the library, her motor skills are excellent. She also speaks and understands English to a much higher level than most children her age. She is also beginning to read and write basic letters and words – something that most children in PNG do not learn until they are seven years old.
Maggie is a perfect example of the importance of early childhood education for long-term development. Thanks to Buk bilong Pikinini, she has been given a rare head start in life compared to most children throughout PNG. Maggie’s success is a precious testament to our progress over the last few years.
Jaspher, Age 13
Jaspher recently moved to Port Moresby from the highlands with his parents. He completed some schooling in the highlands, but after arriving in Moresby, his father could not place him in any of the city schools because they were full or already overcrowded.
Jaspher became friends with another boy who attends the Buk bilong Pikinini library regularly, and started attending the library with him from June 2011. The librarians soon noticed that Jaspher could not read as well as some of the younger children in the library. However, his behaviour and attitude have been excellent. He helps the librarians manage other children and shows a strong determination to learn – a determination which is
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starting to pay off. After months of one-on-one reading sessions with the librarians, Jaspher has started catching up with some of the best readers in the library.
Jaspher’s father often thanks the librarians at Lawes Road for the time they spend with his son. He says it puts a smile on his face every time he sees his boy coming home with books in his hand.
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6 MILE LIBRARY
Date Established: November 2009
Sponsored by: Airways
Staff:
Head Librarian – Agnes Taiyo
Assistant Librarian – Naomi Nakoko
Guard Handyman – Chris Kana
Average Monthly Attendance: 643
Average number of books lent each month: 194
Background:
The success of our library at 6 mile has reinforced BbP’s confidence in our choice of location for the libraries. 6 Mile is situated in a very busy area that was previously teaming with bored young children who were not going to school.
A community police station, a large clinic, a major bus stop and a market place all surround the 6 Mile library. These institutions attract large numbers of children who often spend their days walking around the streets, playing at the bus stops, or hanging around their parents as they go about their daily business. With the establishment of the 6 Mile library, some of these children now spend their days learning to read and write. Our Guard/Handyman at
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the library, Chris Kana, has also been instrumental in inviting children from the street into the library.
A special feature of the 6 Mile library is the strong relationship it has built with parents throughout the community. The parents are so grateful that their children are receiving an education, and that they are in a safe learning environment during the day, that they often bring gifts for the children and staff. We rely on these parents to spread Buk bilong Pikinini’s message throughout the community, and to continue to encourage the children to read and write at home as well as in the library. We also see large numbers of parents and adults from the community attend events that are being held at the library. Very recently (December 2011), we had close to fifty parents attending our celebration of World Aids Day.
Success Stories
Katrina, Age 9
At 9 years of age, Katrina is one of the oldest children in the library, but is not one of the better readers. She lives in a very poor area in one of Moresby’s biggest settlements, and cannot afford to go to school.
She started attending the library in June 2011 after hearing about BbP through her cousin. When she first arrived at the library, she struggled with English, and could not recognise the letters of the alphabet.
She has now mastered her alphabet, and her English is improving every day. She says the songs and stories in the libraries have given her drive to learn English well in preparation for school.
Agnes, the Head Librarian at 6 Mile, is working closely with her so that she can catch up with other children her age.
Obu, Age 6
Obu has been attending the library for the last two years. When she started, she was only four, and did not know any letters or numbers. She lives in a settlement just near the 6 mile market place, and attends the library while her mother is at work.
She plans to go to school soon and is confident that she will be far ahead of the other children in her reading and writing capabilities. Agnes, the Head Librarian, says Obu is one of the quickest learners to have come through the library.
It is very rare in PNG for a child of Obu’s age and socio-economic background to know the alphabet and all the numbers up to 100 before they turn seven. We expect she will thrive once she starts school!
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BUMBU ROAD, ERIKU, LAE
Date Established: December 2009
Sponsored by: Steamships
Staff:
Head Librarian – Linna Namu
First Assistant Librarian – Marian Sanat
Average Monthly Attendance: 1168
Average number of books lent each month: 223
Background:
The Lae library was the first BbP library to be established outside of Port Moresby. Originally, the library was located next to a large settlement and most of the children who attended regularly were from this highly disadvantaged area. In January 2011, the Lae library was re- located to within the grounds of The Special School on Bumbu Road in Erike. This is a much more centralised position, allowing children to come from as far as the outskirts of the city to attend the library.
The great need for books in this area was immediately demonstrated by the reading, writing and linguistic capabilities of the children. When the library opened in 2009, most children were unable to speak English. They were also unable to read and write, in Pidgin or English.
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Almost all of the children, some of whom were over ten years of age, could not even write their own names.
Today, all of the children who have attended the library regularly since its opening can not only write and read their own names, but can recognise high frequency words, read and write simple sentences, speak and understand basic English, and some are even reading books without assistance. The most advanced children are writing short stories and reading books written for ages 12 and up.
Given the very low literacy levels that the Lae library continues to grapple with, these remarkable improvements make Lae one of our most successful libraries.
Success Stories:
Dorcas, Age 11
Dorcas had been through a very difficult time before she started attending the Lae library. Her father had left home, remarried, and left her mother in poverty. After her father left, Dorcas’s mother could not afford to keep paying school fees, and so Dorcas had been out of school for several months before the library opened in December 2009.
Dorcas has struggled with reading and writing since joining the library. She still cannot read, but can write her name and knows the alphabet. Her strongest point is maths – her numeracy skills are above average in the library, and she enjoys doing sums and counting.
Perhaps more important than her educational development, BbP has given Dorcas a new sense of confidence and purpose that she was lacking after her father left.
Clara, Age 10
Clara should have started school a few years ago, but her parents could not afford the fees. She wants to start school as soon as possible, but is nervous that she will be behind her classmates in her reading, writing and maths. She started attending the library mid 2011 so that she can learn the basics in preparation for school.
She comes from far away to attend the library each day, but her determination has paid off. She now knows her alphabet, and can read some basic words. She can also write her name and copy the letters of the alphabet.
Clara loves the sea, and dreams of being a ship’s captain when she grows up.
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GOROKA LIBRARY
Date Established: May 2010
Sponsored by: Steamships
Staff:
Head Librarian – Arnold Yosefh
First Assistant Librarian – George Kagl
Second Assistant Librarian – Esther Gor
Average Monthly Attendance: 1449
Average number of books lent each month: 960
Background:
BbP established their sixth library at the Bird of Paradise Hotel in Goroka in May 2010. At the time, it was the biggest of our existing six libraries, and immediately became the most popular. Within minutes of opening, 60 children flooded into the library and hungrily grabbed books from the shelves.
The library remains hugely popular today. At the start of 2011, the numbers of children attending the library were very high; even exceeding 300 children per day. The librarians
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had to organise their days into three sessions, so that all the children enjoyed a 2 hour daily slot.
Once again, we are very pleased with the choice of location – Not only are hundreds of children using the library every day, but they are children from the settlements surrounding Goroka who would otherwise have no access to books and learning materials
Given the distance between the Goroka Library and the office in Port Moresby, it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of the library’s progress. However, all our monthly reports from Goroka exude positivity, and in the next few years we hope to establish a regional office in Goroka so that Buk bilong Pikini can start getting books into the hands of children living throughout the Highlands.
Success Stories:
Soloman, Age 5
Soloman told the librarians at Goroka that he was amazed when they first read a book to him. He had never heard anybody read a story to him before. From that moment, he wanted to learn how to read so that he could tell stories to others.
He still has a long way to go before he can start reading, but he can write his name, read and write the alphabet, and recognise numbers up to twenty. All this he has learned from attending the BbP libraries over the last year.
Soloman’s parents are amazed by his progress, and most of all by his passion for books. They make sure he attends the library every day.
Babra, Age 6
Babra is the most popular girl at Goroka library. She always has a smile on her face, and frequently has the librarians and other children laughing.
She is so happy at the library that her mum told the staff at BbP she does not want to go to school because she will miss the librarians and her friends too much!
Babra is not only popular, she is also a high achiever. The librarians say that learning comes naturally to her. Her writing and reading is outstanding. She can read and write all the letters of the alphabet and all her numbers up to 100, knows her colours and shapes, and can speak English as clearly as the older children who are attending school. These are very impressive achievements for a six year old girl in PNG.
If she can manage to pull herself away from all her friends at the library, we expect Barbra to go far.
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KOKI LIBRARY
Date Established: November 2010
Sponsored by: Exxon Mobil and Curtain Brothers
Staff:
Head Librarian – Veronica Peter
First Assistant Librarian – Vagi Kariko
Second Assistant Librarian – Margaret Tom
Community Library Assistant – John Kumi
Guard/Handyman – Tamani Maleu
Average Monthly Attendance: 1132
Average number of books lent each month: 47
Background:
After the success of the first six libraries, we were confident that BbP was reaching those children living in settlements that otherwise would have no other access to books. Koki was our next and perhaps most challenging target.
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The Koki market area and the village behind it are teeming with very poor children who are not receiving any form of education. The market is considered a “no-go-zone” by many foreign companies and NGOs operating across Port Moresby. BbP, however, recognises that these areas are home to the children who need books the most. So, in late 2010, we established our biggest library yet at Koki Market. The library is a double-story building, with a community library downstairs and the children’s library upstairs.
The children’s library has attracted large numbers of children since its opening; many of whom come from extremely poor families. A lot of these children have mothers selling fruit and beetlenut in the nearby market, and before the establishment of the library, they would hang about the markets idle and neglected. Now, they have the option of coming into the library to read while their parents work throughout the day. If nothing else, the library provides a safe, clean and fun haven for the children away from the dangerous and dirty market area.
We also have the community library, officially opened in November 2011, which is designed for youths and adults to come in and read at their leisure. This has been disappointingly underused since its opening. We are aiming to encourage more people to use the community library in 2012 by promoting awareness among youths who spend most of their time hanging around the streets.
Success Stories:
Jordan and Morea, Age 8 & 6
Jordan and Morea are brothers who have been attending the library together for close to a year. They recently lost their parents and are now living with their grandparents.
Life is extremely hard for these two boys. Their grandparents are very poor, and with one of them very ill, it is probable that they will become even poorer. Once the boys are left alone with their grandmother, they will barely be able to eat, never mind go to school.
They are at least receiving an education at the Koki library and are progressing very well. In the year they have been attending, they have learned to write their names, recognise the letters of the alphabet, and learnt all their numbers up to 50.
Steven, Age 11
Steven has attended the library almost every day since it opened in November 2010. His progress so far has been truly remarkable.
Before attending the library, Steven had no form of schooling whatsoever as his mother could not afford the fees. Yet, less than a year later, Steven was standing before a crowd of donors, BbP supporters, guests and parents at the Koki Library Official Opening Ceremony, reading books aloud to the audience. In one year, he has gone from illiterate to literate, and
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with the help of our Head Librarian at Koki, is now being funded to go to school. He comes to the library every afternoon once he finishes schools, and reads between 10 to 15 books a day.
When his mother saw him reading at the ceremony, she cried with happiness. She said she never thought her son would be able to read.
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UNIVERSITY OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA LIBRARY
Date Established: August 2011
Sponsored by: Oxford University Press and Hastings Deering
Staff:
Head Librarian – Wari Karona
First Assistant Librarian – Rhonda Michael
Second Assistant Librarian – Joseph Poe
Average Monthly Attendance: 1672
Average number of books lent each month: 356
Background:
The library at the University of PNG is our newest library. It is situated on the beautiful grounds of the university, and located near enough schools and settlements to attract large numbers of children every day.
When it first opened, over a 100 children were attending daily. Towards the end of the year, the numbers have dropped, but we expect these figures to rise again after the Christmas period.
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The library has only been open a few months, but has already become deeply integrated into the community. Parents who work on the university grounds as gardeners and cleaners are already praising the library and its staff for providing an education to their children who, before the establishment of the library, spent their time wandering the university and nearby areas aimlessly waiting for their parents to finish work.
There are also many primary schools in the surrounding area, and we are hoping to build relationships with these schools in 2012 to establish sponsorship programs to support children attending the UPNG library with their schools fees.
Success Stories:
Ara, Age 9
Ara has never been to school although she should have started in 2009. She arrived at the library not knowing her alphabet, and could not recognise any numbers.
In the space of a few months, she has learnt to read all the letters of the alphabet and all the numbers up to twenty. She really wants to go to school, and now feels confident that she can catch up with other children her age if she keeps attending the library every day.
So far, she has kept her promise.
Nagie, Age 6
When Nagie starts school in 2012, he will be well prepared. He is one of few children his age in PNG to have learned how to read and write the letters of the alphabet, write his name, and recognise numbers up to ten. He has learned all this in the short time the library has been open.
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Our Five-Year Strategic Plan
QUALITY GROWTH SUSTAINABILITY
FOSTERING DELIVERY OF QUALITY SERVICES CREATING A LEVEL, VISIBLE AND ENSURING A POSITIVE AND LONG FUTURE
SUSTAINED EXPANSION FOR EXISTING AND FUTURE LIBRARY
1. Maintain a sustainable expansion 1. Reinforce BbP financial 1. Reinforce the management system of of BbP coverage by opening a sustainability the libraries minimum of 2 libraries per year – Establish and maintain a – Develop standardized curriculum – Exploring the prospect of new professional accounting and both for morning and afternoon libraries in NCD and other Budgeting system including sessions provinces annual financial audits – Encourage staff training, – Implement the World Vision – Establish a Sponsorship professional development and partnership project for the Strategy and signed letter of accreditation opening of 4 new libraries in Port Agreement with all Donors and – Develop a result-oriented M&E Moresby settlements all Pro Bono Suppliers system for assessing children’s – Expand BbP fundraising outside 2. Reinforce BbP administration and achievements PNG and the corporate sector structure – Promote and encourage the – Maintain book sourcing book lending system – Identify and source funding for a 2. Increase the organization visibility new office space with a and sustainability 2. Further embed BbP libraries into the warehouse area for Book Sorting communities – Strengthen BbP head office – Maintain and develop Human Resources by recruiting 1 Committee involvement on – Introduce more parental Accountant, 1 Project Manager, 1 Book Sorting, Library Support & involvement and commitment M&E/Media officer) Training and Fundraising into libraries activities – Establish Regional Offices in – Maintain and develop links – Establish an outreach scheme to either Lae, Goroka, Alotau and/or with AVI, AYAD, VSO & other create synergy with surrounding Madang voluntary groups schools – Establish a permanent office with – Foster BbP role in promoting – Promote community awareness salaried staff in Canberra to focus literacy for vulnerable children events raising their knowledge of on fundraising in Australia and through media exposure and the benefits of Early Childhood forging strong links with networking with other NGOs Development Australian organizations/policy active in PNG – Promote a holistic approach to makers – Liaise with the Government to Early Childhood Development promote Policy Change including regular session on towards early learning health, sanitation & community education and seek BbP library development issues accreditation 15
Thank you to all our Donors, Staff and Volunteers
Buk bilong Pikini will continue to promote literacy and early childhood development in poor communities throughout PNG. This year Buk bilong Pikinini has touched the lives of approximately ten thousand children, and we expect this number to increase significantly with the establishment of two new libraries in 2012.
None of this would be possible without the dedication, support and hard work of our corporate donors, sponsors, staff and volunteers. On behalf of all the children benefitting from our libraries, we thank you.
By order of the Board,
Anne-Sophie Hermann Buk bilong Pikinini Founder 16/12/2011
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