Partners helping children access literacy materials

CHILDREN in Western can reach quality books and literacy materials following the opening of library in Tabubil on Thursday.
It is set up by the LikLik Skul Foundation in partnership with StartMart, Kayop Investment Ltd, the Tabubil Development Corporation, the Milum community, the Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) and Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP).
It is called the Buk bilong Pikinini Fubilan Library after Mt Fubilan and has an early childhood education programme, community library services and a school bus.
Most schools in the province have libraries which needed books to fill the shelves.
The last time they were able to order books was in 2009.
Tabubil International School principal Cathy Kiri said: “Literacy is very important especially for landowners’ children because after the mine is gone, what will happen to them?”
Most of the children had lived in Tabubil all their lives and to them, the library is a window to the world.
Around 50 five-year-old children from Tabubil town and nearby villages are expected to be enrolled in the early childhood education programme this month.
The children will be attending the programme from 8am to 2pm every day under Agnes Taiyo, an experienced Buk bilong Pikinini teacher-librarian.
A 15-seater bus will provide transport for the children from the villages.
Ian Middleton of the Lik Lik Skul Foundation said: “I am super excited about the Liklik Skul Foundation’s partnership with Buk Bilong Pikinini, and the consequent opportunity to deliver improved education outcomes for children in Tabubil town and the surrounding mine villages.”
Leanne Resson, BbP executive officer said: “We are grateful for the support from all partners in this venture and are looking forward to assisting the children enroll at the Buk bilong Pikinini Fubilan Library with a comprehensive early childhood education programme, giving them the best educational foundation skills.”