Students to explore a whole new world thanks to book donation

National

MORE than 400 children in Gulf and the Southern Highlands will have the opportunity to explore a whole new world of reading during National Book Week – thanks to Oil Search and its foundation.
Employees of Oil Search and the Oil Search Foundation organised a book drive last year which included cash donations resulting in the purchase of 16 cartons of books to mark the annual celebrations.
The boxes contain up to 50 books each and were bought from Buk bilong Pikinini with funds raised by employees at the Sydney and Port Moresby offices.
“Giving children the opportunity to explore books at an early age can make a real positive impact on children’s development,” Oil Search Foundation deputy director Kymberley Kepore said.
“Learning how to read gives them access to the right doors so they can then be empowered to make right choices in their education, with their health and their lives.”
The books are being distributed to 11 schools in Gulf and Southern Highlands as part of Oil Search’s ongoing commitment to promoting early childhood literacy in keeping with the theme of “Libraries for nation building.”
Four boxes of books were sent out last month to Kikori  in Gulf and seven to Kutubu in Southern Highlands.
The schools include the Kikori SDA Early Childhood School, Kikori, Irimigu and Vera Bari elementary schools in Gulf.
In Southern Highlands, schools include Pimaga, Nipa, Paua, Inu, Bagaule, Waro and Orokana elementary.
Irimuku Elementary School head teacher Josephine Haru said they did not have books in the school and thanked the Oil Search Foundation for the donation.
“The books will go a long way in helping  children in their reading skills,” she said.
The foundation also trains locals to become teachers and ensures that the libraries are stocked with books and other educational materials.