For many students at Evedahana Primary and Junior High School, the start of Term 2 brought more than just a return to classes — it brought shelves of new stories, learning opportunities, and renewed excitement for reading.
Through a partnership between maritime services company Svitzer PNG and literacy-focused nonprofit Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP), 2,000 library books were donated to the school community, helping address ongoing shortages of educational materials while reinforcing efforts to build a stronger reading culture among young learners.
The donation included 1,000 books each for the primary and junior high school sections, providing students and teachers with additional resources for classroom learning, independent reading, and research activities.
The initiative also carries deeper significance for Buk bilong Pikinini, which operates an Early Childhood Centre within the Evedahana school community. Many children who begin their learning journey through the organization’s literacy programs later continue their education at the primary and junior high school.
By extending support beyond early childhood education, Buk bilong Pikinini hopes to sustain reading habits as students progress through higher levels of schooling.
“Books open the door to imagination, creativity, and opportunity,” said Buk bilong Pikinini Executive Officer Leanne Resson. “When a child picks up a book, they begin a journey where anything is possible. By simply opening these pages, they can start building a future filled with knowledge and success.”
Resson said the organization also wanted to create safe and supportive learning spaces where children could continue exploring literacy beyond the classroom.
“We encourage all students to develop a daily reading habit, and we thank the teachers for their continued dedication in guiding and inspiring young readers,” she said.
Svitzer PNG said the partnership reflects its broader commitment to education and community development in Papua New Guinea.
“We are proud to support Buk bilong Pikinini in delivering these books to Evedahana,” said Anna Ingip, Crewing Officer PNG at Svitzer PNG.
“Education is a powerful tool for change, and we believe that access to quality reading materials can help shape brighter futures for young people across Papua New Guinea.”
Teachers and school leaders said the donation arrives at a critical time, with many schools across the country continuing to face shortages of books and educational resources.
Primary School Head Teacher Kagayabi said literacy challenges remain significant in many parts of Papua New Guinea, making access to books especially important for improving learning outcomes.
“We are truly grateful for this generous donation made possible through Buk bilong Pikinini and Svitzer PNG,” he said.
“I encourage our students to make reading a daily habit because the more they read, the more they learn and grow. These books will open many opportunities for them.”
The principal of the junior high school also expressed appreciation for the donation, saying the additional resources would support students’ academic development and confidence.
Beyond the Evedahana donation, Buk bilong Pikinini said many schools across Papua New Guinea still face major resource gaps that limit children’s access to quality education.
The organization is now encouraging more corporate organizations to support literacy and educational initiatives nationwide through similar partnerships.
Buk bilong Pikinini also acknowledged logistics partners PNG Air, Express Freight Management, and Sea Fast for helping transport books from Australia to Papua New Guinea and distribute them across different provinces.
Additional support this quarter has also come from Fincorp, Blue Water Shipping, and the Warrnambool Rotary Club, whose contributions have helped expand book access for children across the country.
For Buk bilong Pikinini, the message remains simple: investing in literacy today helps shape opportunities for Papua New Guinea’s next generation tomorrow.
