Children who attend Buk bilong Pikinini’s (BbP) Hohola library in Port Moresby and other BbP libraries throughout Papua New Guinea (PNG) benefited from the donation of IPads from the Ausenco Foundation on December 4, 2014.
At a special presentation at the Hohola Library, Bruce Nicholson, Chief Operating Officer, Kramer Ausenco, presented the IPads to Luke Ebbs, Executive Officer of Buk bilong Pikinini on behalf of the Ausenco Foundation. Mrs Lynda Babao-O’Neill, a strong supporter of BbP and wife of the Prime Minister of PNG, Peter O’Neill, was also in attendance at the event.
Luke Ebbs said the IPads were a welcome addition to the resources used by BbP to foster a love of reading and learning for children from vulnerable communities across PNG. "Technology provides a solution to many of the challenges people living with disabilities face every day. Especially when it comes to children's literacy. The ability to access specialized apps and learn through interactive technologies will give the children of Buk bilong Pikinini's Hohola Library a valuable head start in their education - BbP thanks Ausenco Foundation for providing this opportunity."
Many of the children attending Buk bilong Pikinini libraries come from homes with illiterate parents and need all the help and stimulation they can get in their learning. However, there is still not much awareness about the difficulties faced by children and families living with disabilities in Papua New Guinea. BbP is hoping to use iPad Apps to teach the children about disability in order to increase understanding and compassion and to decrease stigma.
Mr Nicholson said he and the Kramer Ausenco team in Port Moresby were proud to support BbP as they work hard to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of children across PNG.
“The Ausenco Foundation has supported the Hohola library for the past 18 months and we are pleased to be able to provide these additional resources to give a boost to their programs and importantly, the outcomes for the children,” he said.