Media release
16 April 2008
For immediate release
New children’s library opens at POM General
Sick kids in the tuberculosis and malnutrition ward at the Port Moresby General Hospital received a special treat today with the opening of a new children’s library.
The library, which is packed with around 1500 books for children of all ages, was set up by an independent charity based in Port Moresby called Buk Bilong Pikinini.
Around 100 unwell children can be found on the tuberculosis and malnutrition ward on any given day and most of them have little to do. With the opening of the new children’s library, the youngsters will be able to borrow books every morning and also enjoy a daily “story-time” with the library coordinator.
Buk Bilong Pikinini was set up by Anne-Sophie Hermann, the wife of the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis, and Anna Mukerjee, the wife of UNICEF Office Representative in PNG, Mr Hamish Young.
They have been joined by Margaret Tefuarani, a nurse at Port Moresby General Hospital and Caroline Podd, a trained librarian from Australia.
The project aims to teach children about the culture of book borrowing and encourage parents to spend more time reading with their sons and daughters. It also hopes to increase literacy rates in Papua New Guinea through the creation of small libraries in children’s hospital wards, orphanages and other places of need.
Ms Hermann said: “Acquiring reading skills at a young age can make a valuable contribution to the development of PNG. Reading books is also fun.
“The hospital was chosen as the site of the first children’s library because the children there are so vulnerable and in such desperate need of stimulation.”
Buk Bilong Pikinini will work with numerous organisations including HOPE, Anglicare, Family Health International, Rotaract, Santos, Airways Hotel, Nasfund, Tot’s school, Kina Group of companies, University of PNG Bookshop, Theodist and the Australian High Commission.
The charity accepts donations to help pay for new books and shipping costs. It also welcomes donations of “pre-loved, gently used children’s books for small children”.
Media Inquiries: Anne-Sophie Hermann, T: 320 2244, M: 695 7798, E: [email protected]