AS Papua New Guinea marks the 46th National Book Week under the theme “Read A Book, Reset Your Future,” students at Badihagwa Technical Secondary School in Port Moresby are being reminded that the simple act of reading can open doors to an entirely different future.
Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP), together with the Port Moresby Rotary Club, on Friday, 9th, August, handed over abcollection of much-needed 570 reading books to Badihagwa Technical Secondary School as part of National Book Week celebrations.
The donation was made possible through the annual Rotary grant support of Port Moresby Rotary Club Former-president, Mr Robert Aisi, who has purchased books from BbP for donation to three community schools in Motu Koita villages, including Badihagwa Technical Secondary School, Hagara Primary School and the Vabukori Women’s Development Centre Early Learning Centre.
For Mr Aisi, the initiative also carries a personal connection. As someone of Motu Koita heritage, supporting communities in and around Port Moresby is particularly meaningful to him.
Speaking to Grade 8 and Grade 11 students gathered for the handover, Mr Aisi encouraged them to develop a love for reading and learning, reflecting on his own experiences growing up with books. A lawyer by profession, Mr Aisi has served in various diplomatic and professional roles throughout his career and has contributed to important national work.
He reminded students that literacy and education can provide the foundation for achieving great things. “Read as much as you can. Books give you knowledge, and knowledge gives you opportunities,” was the key message Mr Aisi shared with the students.
The handover was witnessed by the Mirigini Councillor, Hon. Nao Graeme Boge, who, in consultation with Mr Aisi, identified Badihagwa Technical Secondary School as one of the recipients of the book donation.
Also present were School Principal Mrs Julie Vele, Deputy Principal, Mr Ikupu Ovia, and other deputies, Mrs Mar Pena and Mrs Honeylot Akiatan, together with members of the school board, including Chairman Mr Mike Mahuru, Mrs Mea-Lou Issac and Mr Babona Gaina.
Mrs Vele expressed her appreciation to Mr Aisi, Hon. Boge and BbP for selecting Badihagwa as a recipient and encouraged students to make good use of the books to strengthen their reading skills and broaden their knowledge.
Representing BbP, Mary Sawa, PR and Marketing Team Lead, thanked the Councillor, school leadership, board members, teachers and students for being part of the handover, and
expressed particular appreciation to Mr Aisi and the Port Moresby Rotary Club for their continued commitment to improving children’s access to books. She also challenged the students to make reading a regular part of their lives and to read as many books as they can before the end of the year.
The book donation comes alongside another significant contribution from the Port Moresby Rotary Club, which has made its annual K20,000 donation to Buk bilong Pikinini. The contribution will support BbP’s efforts to provide much-needed library books to community schools across Papua New Guinea.
For BbP, this support comes at a particularly important time. While National Book Week celebrates the joy and importance of reading, the reality for many children across PNG remains that access to quality reading materials, functioning libraries and appropriate educational resources is still severely limited or non-existent.
BbP receives multiple requests each day from schools and communities across the country seeking assistance and registration onto its School Wishlist, with many schools in urgent need of books and library resources.
Buk bilong Pikinini thus encourages companies, organisations and individuals who believe in the power of education to strongly consider supporting schools in need.
The Port Moresby Rotary Club has demonstrated how meaningful and sustainable partnerships can help put books directly into the hands of children who need them most.
BbP is also one of Papua New Guinea’s key children’s book publishers, producing culturally relevant and locally focused reading materials for PNG children. The organisation is set to publish eight (8) new children’s books in 2026, adding to its growing collection of locally relevant early literacy resources.
Through its Library Learning Centres, publishing initiatives and School Library Reestablishment Program, BbP continues to work towards its mission of increasing literacy rates in Papua New Guinea and ensuring children have access to quality books from an early age.
As National Book Week concludes, BbP is calling on corporates, businesses, organisations and individuals to help reset the future of PNG’s children — one book, one reader and one school at a time.
How to Support:
Organisations and individuals interested in supporting schools in need through book donations, sponsorships or other literacy initiatives can contact Buk bilong Pikinini:
Website: www.bukbilongpikinini.org
Email: bbpbooks@bubilongpikinini.org
Phone: 340 4963