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| Learning basics from hospital beds | |
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By ALISON ANIS SICK children at Port Moresby General Hospital’s tuberculosis and malnutrition ward will now continue their learning and reading capacity away from school following the launch of a new children’s library yesterday. The library was set up by Buk Bilong Pikinini, a Port Moresby-based independent charity organisation, has a collection of 1,500 books for children of all ages. Library coordinator Elizabeth Resson said that up to 15 children at the hospital ward have been accessing the library since it opened last Monday. Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu officially opened the library yesterday at ward with key witnesses from the Australian High Commission and non-governmental organisations. Ms Resson said the library opens from 8am to 4pm but she noted that many children were ready at the library before the 8am opening time. “Being a teacher myself I do a little bit of teaching, showing them how to spell and write their names correctly,” Ms Resson said. Buk Bilong Pikinini was set up by Anne-Sophie Hermann, the wife of Australian High Commissioner to PNG Chris Moraitis and Anna Mukerjee, wife of UNICEF representative Hamish Young. The project aims to teach children about the culture of book borrowing, and it hopes to increase literacy rates in PNG through the creation of small libraries in children’s hospital wards, orphanages and other places of need. “The hospital was chosen as the site of the first children’s library because the children there are also so vulnerable and in such desperate need of stimulation,” said Ms Hermann. The charity accepts donations to help pay for new books and shipping costs. It also welcomes donations of “pre-loved, gently used children’s books for small children.” |
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