Groups partner to run literacy programme

 THE Oil Search Foundation has entered into a partnership with Buk Bilong Pikini to deliver early childhood development and literacy programmes in Hela and Gulf. 

The partnership is part of the expansion of the foundation’s shift from health programmes to programmes on leadership, education and women’s protection and empowerment. 

The Foundation’s chief executive officer Kymberley Kepore said they started by asking communities “to tell us their priorities and consistently, improving literacy was at the top of the list”.

“This is not surprising because literacy is a cornerstone tool that forms the basis of well-being and prosperity,” she said. 

“It represents Oil Search’s focus on helping PNG to develop the next generation of leaders, which must start from early childhood.”

Buk Bilong Pikinini has established 17 libraries in Papua New Guinea since 2007.

Anne-Sophie Hermann, founder and chair of the Buk Bilong Pikinini said the programme was an incredible opportunity to expand its support to rural communities where literacy rates were very low.

“Illiteracy is everybody’s concern, and there is an urgent need now for all sectors in government and society, that eradication of illiteracy be one of our national development priorities,” Hermann said.

She said the Buk Bilong Pikinini programme was launched to ensure that all children had the opportunity to read and write. 

She said a nation was good as the number of educated population it had and PNG had long way to go in that regard.