Group opens library in village

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday July 5th, 2013

 By SHIRLYN BELDEN 

EFFORTS to increase literacy among children in the country continue to expand as Buk Bilong Pikinini, a local library service, prepares to establish its 12th library in Tatana village, National Capital District, the library says.

The BBP library, founded by Australian Ann-Sophie Herman, witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony at the village yesterday, with construction to start in two weeks. 

The building is jointly sponsored by the Embassy of Switzerland in Australia and Stop N Shop under the City Pharmacy Ltd (CPL) group of companies and will be built on the Araira United church area to provide for basic and early childhood learning in the village.  

Community leader Maru Korahi said: “It is a privilege and an honour to have a Buk Bilong Pikinini library in our community.

“The church saw the need for their children to have such an important educational asset that they have provided land to build the library. 

“This is the first time such an important asset has been established in Tatana Village. 

“The community wishes to thank the generous donors from Switzerland, Stop N Shop-CPL group and community leaders Bobby Tau, Heni Madaha, Rev Siosi Momoru and Rev Tamasi Eau for making this library a reality, which will benefit all children in our community.”

Dr Stefan Kloetzli of the Swiss Embassy and Mike Taylor of CPL were excited to support the cause of rearing children to be literate and competitive citizens of the country. 

“Fostering education and promoting literacy is one of the priorities of Swiss development cooperation worldwide,” Kloetzli said. 

“The Embassy of Switzerland is delighted to support a project for the construction of a Buk Bilong Pikinini library on Tatana Island, which allows access to books for children of PNG and hopefully awaken their pleasure of reading. 

“We are very pleased to realise this project together with Buk Bilong Pikinini.”