In celebration of World Book Day, Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) and Fincorp made the donation of 1,000 high quality library books to St Therese Primary School in Port Moresby, National Capital District.
The children were excited to help unbox the books and get stuck into reading.The donated books were supplied through BbP’s School Library Re-establishment Program, which provides structured School Library Kits tailored to different school sizes and budgets.
These kits are available in curated collections of 1,000 books, 500 books, and 250 books, enabling schools across the country to rebuild or strengthen their library facilities in a sustainable and scalable manner. Titles span multiple education levels, from Elementary and Primary through to Secondary, Technical and Tertiary institutions, ensuring broad curriculum support. The kits also contain BbP’s own published books.
The donation to St Therese Primary School was formally marked by the presentation of the library books on Friday, 06 March 2026, where Fincorp’s Head of Unsecured Sales, Mr Adriaan De La Rey, together with a representative from Buk bilong Pikinini (TBC), presented the books to St Therese Head Teacher, Mr Ako Alex. Three more schools will also receive one of Buk bilong Pikinini’s popular School Library Kits thanks to the support from Fincorp.
Mr Adriaan De La Rey, Head of Unsecured Sales, Fincorp, said: “These are not just 1000 books but 1000 stories and adventures.
”He also encouraged students to read to gain more knowledge as knowledge is something that cannot be taken away from them and it will empower them to pursue any future they choose.
PR & Marketing Team Lead, Mary Sawa, from BbP, said: ““We are grateful to Fincorp for supporting St Therese Primary School with a 1,000-book Primary School Library Kit through our School Library Re-establishment Program. This support will also benefit three other schools, bringing a total of 4,000 books to students across PNG. Investing in children’s education is a noble act, and we encourage more organisations to help schools gain access to the books and libraries they need.””
Ms Jane Dukaduka, Deputy Head Teacher, St Therese Primary School, remarked how grateful the schools’ teachers and students as it is something they were in desperate need of. “The school currently has a reading program every Monday that requires students to read a book for 30 minutes after assembly to discourage too much screen time with students and this generous book donation will definitely give a boost to this program”.
BbP will be busy in the coming months to ensure schools around the country receive School Library Kits thanks to support from Blue Water Shipping, Svitzer and the Warrnambool Rotary Club in Victoria, Australia, who will each be sponsoring kits for multiple schools.
Access to quality books strengthens vocabulary, comprehension, critical thinking, and confidence. It improves academic performance and nurtures a lifelong love of learning. On this World Book Day, BbP calls on more corporate organisations to recognise the urgent need for functional school libraries and to come forward in support of PNG’s children.
Corporate donors interested in sponsoring School Library Kits and making a meaningful difference in community schools are encouraged to contact the BbP team at bbpbooks@bukbilongpikinini.org.
Schools wishing to be placed on BbP’s School Wish List, and become eligible to receive book donations once donor support becomes available, are also invited to reach out via the same email address.
World Book Day is a global celebration of the power of books, reading, and literacy in shaping young minds. Yet in Papua New Guinea, it remains a sobering reality that most schools do not have functioning libraries or sufficient library books for students to access in support of their studies. For countless children, the ability to read beyond classroom textbooks is limited by a lack of resources.
Papua New Guinea’s children deserve access to books, libraries, and the opportunity to thrive. With partnerships such as Fincorp’s, that vision becomes reality, one library at a time.