Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) recently conducted its annual teacher refresher training at APEC Haus in Port Moresby for the organizations’ 50 teachers working in its Library Learning Centres around the country. The training was sponsored by ExxonMobil PNG (EMPNG) as part of a partnership, which also includes sponsorship for the BbP learning App as well as BbP’s Literacy Week program and celebrations. The training was opened by EMPNG representatives Belinda Gurra, the Planning and Contribution Supervisor, Public and Government Affairs Contributions Supervisor, and Sarah Llewellyn, the Community and Development Support Lead. The first two days of training focused on digital skills, internet safety, and classroom technology management. The BbP IT and Digital Learning team also taught teachers how to effectively teach children how to use tablets, navigate the BbP App, flipbooks, audio books, educational videos, as well as what not to do with technology to ensure the children's safety at all times. The training also included a session on observing children's behavior and learning characteristics in order to improve their behavior and facilitate their learning. The monitoring and evaluation session provided additional information about the skills required for accurate data collection and record keeping. BbP continually monitors the students enrolled in its Early Childhood Education program, and teachers must be able to collect adequate data about the children's progress. This includes BbP's popular After-School program, which has a high attendance rate. In addition, the teachers received updates on the organization's HR policies, Nasfund, NCSL, media events, and new program activities. Certificates of participation were presented to the teachers by EMPNG representatives Radley Gaksy and Dorcas Aula, attached to the Public and Government Affairs Department in EMPNG. BbP also took the occasion to thank ExxonMobil PNG for their sponsorship of the training. This was followed by a 17th birthday celebration for Buk bilong Pikinini. BbP was founded in 2007 and opened its first Library Learning Centre in 2008.

Six people have been killed and several others injured, including a nine-month-old baby, in a mass stabbing at a busy shopping mall in Sydney, Australian police said. Police were called to Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon local time following reports of multiple people stabbed. Witnesses described scenes of panic with some forced to hide in shops as the attack unfolded. New South Wales (NSW) police commissioner Karen Webb said four women and a man died at the shopping mall, while another woman passed away at the hospital. She said that eight people are currently being treated for injuries in hospitals around Sydney, including a nine-month-old infant who has been in surgery. The suspect - who police said acted alone - was shot dead at the scene by a lone officer. NSW’s Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said a senior police inspector was nearby when the attack unfolded. She arrived on the scene first and was alone when she engaged with the attacker. She shot the offender when he raised a knife at her. “She discharged her firearm, and that person is now deceased,” Cooke said. Webb told reporters that current elements do not point to a terror motive, but said that the investigation will be ongoing “for many, many days” and that it is “too early to say” what was behind the attack. According to Webb, police believe that the suspect was a 40-year-old man but as background checks remain ongoing, she could not provide further identification details. A law enforcement source briefed on the investigation told CNN the suspect had no prior contact with Australian counterterrorism officials, but had had at least one encounter with New South Wales Police in the past related to mental health issues. [caption id="attachment_51308" align="aligncenter" width="1015"] The attack sparked panic inside the mall. The motive was not immediately clear. David Gray/AFP/Getty Images[/caption] The officer who shot him was also seen in videos on social media administering CPR to those who had been injured. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the officer a hero who “no doubt saved lives.” The suspect encountered nine people after he entered the mall at 3:10 pm local time, according to police. He left and reentered the mall at 3:20 pm before carrying out his attack. ‘Pandemonium’ Videos shared on social media show shoppers running from multiple exits of the shopping center, while police helicopters can be heard overhead. CNN’s Australian affiliate, 9 News Sydney, spoke to an eyewitness who said people were running through the shopping center and falling over each other, describing the situation as “pandemonium.” Two male eyewitnesses told 9 News they saw a baby and mother stabbed. “We were holding the baby and trying to compress the baby,” one said. “Same with the mother, trying to compress the blood from stopping.” Another witness described seeing a man in a green shirt stabbing others “indiscriminately.” “[We just heard] screaming, screaming and it didn’t seem that long before we heard ‘boom boom boom’ of the gunshot and we thought, ‘We hope it’s the police,’” the witness told Australia’s state broadcaster ABC. “It was just carnage.” In a televised address, Prime Minister Albanese said the attack was “beyond words or understanding.” He continued: “Today Bondi Junction was the scene of shocking violence. But it was also witness to the humanity and the heroism of our fellow Australians. “Our brave police, our first responders, and of course everyday people who could never have imagined they would face such a moment.” Leaders and dignitaries from around the world expressed their shock at the attacks. Britain’s King Charles III, who is head of state in Australia, said he and his wife Queen Camilla are “utterly shocked and horrified” by the killings. Pope Francis said he was “deeply saddened,” according to a statement from the Vatican. Mass casualty events are rare in Australia. At least four people were killed and one injured in a mass shooting in Darwin, northern Australia in 2019. April 1996 saw a mass shooting which became known as the Port Arthur massacre – the deadliest in Australia’s modern history – when 35 people were killed in the tourist town in the state of Tasmania. Source: CNN News

The President of Gulf Music and Culture Association recently announced their official certification by the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) of Papua New Guinea (PNG), making it a legal entity recognized by the National Government. The Association was founded with the mission of preserving and promoting Gulf Province’s unique music and cultural heritage. President of the Gulf Music and Culture Association, Mr. Alex Anthony expressed his delight over the successful certification of the Association. "This recognition validates our efforts to promote the music and culture of the Gulf Province and will open up new opportunities for us to further our mission." As a legally recognized entity, the Gulf Music and Culture Association will now be able to expand its reach to a wider audience. The association plans to collaborate with other organizations, artists, and institutions to create more opportunities for Gulf musicians and performers to showcase their talent on a global scale.

Students of Jame Primary School in Maprik, East Sepik Province have recently been granted essential support from BSP through its Wewak Branch’s Community Project, an initiative that showcases the corporation's commitment to uplifting local communities. BSP Wewak Branch Manager, Philip Solala, emphasized the dire circumstances facing the school, especially concerning the poor and unhygienic condition of the ablution block. Over the past 12 years, the school's 800 students have had to make do with inadequate Pit Toilets, resulting in heightened health risks not only for the students but also for the neighbouring communities. “Our Wewak Branch staff volunteered their weekends to help the school by building a new ablution block for both male and female students and also installed a new water tank for drinking and general use.” “The 4-week project saw our staff’s efforts assist eliminate health and sanitary threats the school and surrounding communities faced over the last 12 years; this is our way of giving back to the communities we operate in.” Head Teacher Michael Ginio, his staff, students, and the surrounding community thanked BSP for the timely assistance during the project handover last month. Maprik town Mayor - Paul Dingu, and LLG President Henry Ariro who were among attendees at the project handover were very pleased and acknowledged BSP’s effort in giving back to the communities.

Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners PNG continues to provide several opportunities for tertiary graduates, including the Graduate Development program, Apprenticeship program, and Internship Program. Over the years, CCEP PNG has implemented an Internship Program during mid-semester breaks and at the end of the school year to provide selected students with technical hands-on experience relevant to their degree of study. Adlyn Nagwi, Head of People & Culture, stated that this program allows university graduates to gain experience working for a leading beverage manufacturing company such as Coca-Cola. “The three-month internship program recently started in December of 2023 and enabled four students to be attached at our Lae and Port Moresby offices, where they were able to learn and acquire technical skills on the job that complimented theories they learnt back in schools’.” The candidates were selected from a pool for tertiary students and were from the University of Technology and the Pacific Adventist University. “We believe that any opportunity we can provide to students that have graduated from any tertiary institution will assist in their growth as they pursue further employment, and this is continue to be an ongoing commitment from our business to build young talents”. CCEP PNG firmly believes that investing in people and providing opportunities for young Papua New Guineans contributes significantly to the company’s performance as well as to the individual

PNG youths have the chance to show their knowledge, comprehension, and writing skills as one of the world’s longest-running writing competitions opens up – the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition. The competition opened on March 15th, and this year it is most significant as it marks 75 years of the Commonwealth, of which PNG is a member. Annually, thousands of young people participate in the essay competition which highlights and recognizes accomplishments, elevates youth voices, and develops critical skills through creative writing. It invites participants to reflect on how they deal with adversity, as well as how community and culture can be used to foster resilience and hope in a world affected by an increasing number of global issues. Categories are open for those born on May 16, 2005, to May 15, 20210 – this is the senior category for youths aged 14 to 18. The junior category is for those under 14 years of age – born on or after May 6th, 2010. Essays are based on four questions per category. Senior Category: 1. “It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps that bring about the most lasting change.” – Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. What small steps can you take to help tackle the climate crisis? 2. Write a speech highlighting what you think is the most challenging issue facing the world today, and how Commonwealth values can be used to solve it. 3. At the heart of the Samoan way of life is ‘aiga’, meaning ‘family’ values including selflessness, hospitality, cooperation, respect, and dignity. What core values and ideas from your culture can be used to enhance cooperation and community in the Commonwealth? 4. The Commonwealth’s London Declaration aimed to strive for peace, liberty, and progress. Write a letter to your President or Prime Minister about how to achieve those aims. Junior Category: 1. What new habit could you adopt to positively contribute towards a greener Commonwealth? 2. Write a dialogue between yourself and a grandparent about resilience and hope. What can you share with the older generation, and what can you learn from them? 3. You are taking part in a beach clean-up and discover that you can speak to sea creatures. What are they saying, and how do you respond? 4. You’re on a school exchange in a Commonwealth country different to your own. How do you make friends with people your age? (Consider similarities and differences in culture that may unite you). Last year’s winners in the senior category were Annika Turon-Semmens, then 16, from Adelaide, Australia, and the runner-up was then 15-year-old Hiya Chowdhury, from Uttar Pradesh in India. In the junior category, the winner was Shreeya Sahi, then 12, from Panchkula, India, and the runner-up was Ariadna Sullivan, then 13, from British Columbia, Canada. For those who wish to take part this year, entries close on May 15th, 2024, and more information on how to enter the competition can be found at www.royalcwsociety.org. All successful entries receive a Certificate of Participation, and a number of entrants will receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards for excellence in writing. The top two winners from each category this year receive a paid trip to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony at the royal palace. www.royalcwsociety.org

Paradise College, an institution dedicated to fostering creativity and academic excellence, once again played host to its annual poetry recital on Thursday, April 4th. The event, a testament to the school's commitment to nurturing students' artistic talents, showcased a diverse range of poetic expressions from students spanning both primary and high school levels. The evening's program kicked off with young talents from Grades 1-3 (Category 1) and Grades 4-6 (Category 2) taking centre stage to captivate the audience with their heartfelt renditions of carefully selected poems. These budding wordsmiths poured their hearts and souls into reciting verses, whether penned by themselves or by selected poets. Judges, teachers, beaming parents, guests, and fellow students all bore witness to the delightful experience of spoken word poetry as each participant embraced the challenge of public performance. Paradise College's emphasis on the importance of public speaking skills shone brightly throughout the recital, as the power of poetry to ignite confidence and eloquence in young minds was clearly evident. “Poetry recital is about students writing either their own poems or taking poems from a poet and performing it without the aid of written material in front of an audience.” In the latter part of the recital, senior students stepped into the spotlight, delving into profound themes ranging from emotional experiences to thought-provoking reflections on the world around them. Their stirring performances resonated deeply, evoking emotions and sparking contemplation among all those fortunate enough to bear witness to their artistry. As the program drew to a close, the air was abuzz with anticipation as awards were bestowed upon those whose performances had dazzled and inspired. Gold, silver, and bronze medals served as tangible symbols of the dedication and talent displayed by the students.

Like most Brisbane players of the past two decades, Corey Parker suffered more than his share of pain at the hands of the Melbourne Storm. Unlike his fellow Broncos, Parker could quite easily have been on the other side of the intense rivalry, had he accepted an offer to follow Craig Bellamy south in 2003. The man who played 347 games for the Broncos and tasted grand final glory in 2006, ironically against Melbourne, was a tearaway prop in the early stages of his career when the Storm came calling. After entering the competition in 1998 and winning a premiership in their second year, the Storm had already made quite the impression in AFL-mad Melbourne when Bellamy came on board. Having helped the Broncos to the ’98 title in his role as Wayne Bennett’s assistant, Bellamy had seen Parker’s development at close range as the Logan Brothers junior launched his NRL career in 2001. At just 18, Parker had forced his way into a star-studded forward pack that included Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva and Carl Webb. For a kid who had always dreamed of pulling on a Broncos jersey, life was pretty sweet, but his 16-year journey at the game’s elite level could have been a very different one. “I had worked under Craig and had respect for him. I knew what he would be like as a coach so it was enticing,” Parker said. “We were part of that famous Baby Broncos win in 2002 when he coached the side while Wayne was in Origin camp and when he went to Melbourne he was looking for some young front-rowers. “At the 11th hour [Storm boss] John Ribot offered a deal and it was substantially more… I ended up signing for Brisbane for $80,000 because that’s all I ever wanted to do was play for the Broncos, and at that time the Broncos were a powerhouse and if you could make it there, you could make it anywhere. “The Bulldogs were interested and so were the Storm, and the Storm deal was 180, 190, 200 [grand] and I stayed at Brisbane for 80 grand. “I had a good relationship with Craig so it was appealing even aside from the money but that’s as far as that got. “I could have got more somewhere else but it was about loyalty and pride in the jumper.” And so it was for the next decade and a half Parker would find himself going to battle against Bellamy rather than alongside him as the Broncos-Storm rivalry intensified In the purple corner we had Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman and Bellamy, fast earning a reputation as one of the game’s most astute and meticulous mentors. Out of the maroon and gold corner came Darren Lockyer, Gorden Tallis, Sam Thaiday, Brad Thorn and the supercoach Bennett. From a golden point epic at Olympic Park in 2003 where Parker laid on the match-winner for a flying Scott Minto, to a Melbourne masterclass at the same venue two years later when no fewer than four Storm speedsters bagged doubles, the contests invariably delivered. By 2006, the two powerhouse clubs were squaring off in their only grand final meeting to date, with Bellamy’s Big Three expected to have the last laugh over their Maroons mates Lockyer, Webcke, Hodges and Civoniceva. Instead it was the Broncos taking home their sixth premiership with a 15-8 triumph, despite having lost both regular season clashes between the two sides. “The biggest rivalry of all is when you lose a grand final to someone,” Parker said. “We went in there as heavy underdogs, we should never have won it, the Storm were the red-hot side, but we got the job done. “You think people don’t hold a grudge but that would still burn Craig and I know it still gets Smithy and those other boys. “You had players who grew up being Broncos fans and never got the chance to play for the Broncos – Billy Slater, Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk – they ended up at the Storm. “That also unleashed a bit of rivalry and hatred among those players who said, ‘we’ll stick it up the Broncos because they didn’t think we were good enough to play for them’. “You can’t get past a grab final loss, so every time after that decider they had the big red pen around the Broncos game on the calendar. “It was a long-standing rivalry and they have a huge record but we got the one that mattered.” That ‘huge record’ now stands at 40 wins to Melbourne and just 14 to Brisbane since they first locked horns 26 years ago, with the Storm having won 14 of the past 15. The Broncos’ only success since 2016 came in last year’s qualifying final, a 26-0 shutout that propelled Kevin Walters’ men into a preliminary final where they downed the Warriors to make the big dance. They may have lost the decider to Penrith but Ezra Mam’s dazzling hat-trick stamped him as a special talent and Parker says he can be the X-factor in Brisbane’s bid to unsettle Melbourne on Thursday night. “The Storm struggle against teams that are unconventional,” Parker said. “Craig has them dialled in so much, they understand the players that are playing, their trends, the intricacies of what they are doing, but if you throw on something the Storm can’t really train for then that’s where they come unstuck. “The Broncos’ style has changed dramatically over the years, with guys like Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo and Mam, there’s an unpredictability in what they do. “That creates headaches and instability in the defensive line.” As he knows all too well from personal experience, the Broncos will need to come up with something special to turn the tide of history against the men from Melbourne. Source: NRL. Com

Buk bilong Pikinini was fortunate to benefit from the invaluable basic first aid awareness sessions delivered by the dedicated St John's Ambulance education team across all its library learning centres (LLCs). On Tuesday, 26th March, the team made a special visit to the Vabukori LLC in Port Moresby. Leading this session were none other than St John's Ambulance educators, Junior Vai Boi and Lorina Kulala. Junior captivated the eager young learners by initiating a lively and interactive group reading session centered around BbP’s "When I Grow Up I Want to be a Paramedic". The children were brimming with enthusiasm as they actively participated in identifying and discussing various key elements portrayed in the book, such as ambulances, first aid kits, and the commendable work of the ambulance officers. With the aid of engaging props, Junior provided in-depth explanations on the intricacies of the ambulance's interior layout and the essential contents of a well-equipped first aid kit. He then led a discussion on proper emergency response protocols, utilizing storyboards to illustrate the correct procedures for assisting a snake bite victim and providing aid to an individual with a bleeding wound. A teddy bear named John by the team served as a delightful visual aid to demonstrate the proper techniques for bandaging in scenarios involving snake bites and bleeding incidents. Through this engaging hands-on approach, the students gained invaluable insights into practical first aid skills that could potentially make a significant difference in emergency situations.

Western Highlands’ Togoba Secondary School’s administration block for the first time in a long time was given a makeover since it was constructed in the colonial era, thanks to the BSP Mt Hagen team for restoring the structure as part of their 2023 community project initiative. The staff with the help of a local contractor - Giru Limited, carried out the renovation that saw a complete overhaul of the structure, which involved new floorings, walls, roofing irons, ceilings, and repainting of both exterior and interior of the building. BSP Mt Hagen Branch Manager Theresa Mrs Pilamp when encouraging the school to look after the structure, she also reminded them to make good use of the newly refurbished structure in upgrading the school’s academic performance. “We believe that a conducive learning atmosphere improves the quality of education.” “To develop a conducive learning atmosphere for students and teachers, you must first upgrade your school’s infrastructure.” “Providing a revitalised facility for teachers and students to study stimulates an encouraging learning environment for children.” The Principal of Togoba Secondary School John Ongo when welcoming the newly refurbished administration block, praised BSP and the contractor for the wonderful job done. "We cannot thank BSP enough for this wonderful work that will give the school a fresh start." "Our teachers can now make good use of this in regard to working late and attending classes on time." BSP has delivered 608 fully funded community projects to various communities since 2009. In 2023, BSP delivered 32 out of 51 community projects throughout the year by respective BSP Branch Teams with 19 more projects to be completed and handed over, all totalling to K1.6 million.

On Monday, the 25th of March, the Buk bilong Pikinini organization observed World TB Day across all its library learning centers, marking the occasion with various educational activities aimed at raising awareness about tuberculosis. Students of BbP acted as mini advocates, urging for an end to this deadly yet preventable disease that continues to claim the lives of too many young children in Papua New Guinea. BbP stated that during the event, the young learners not only received crucial information about TB but also gained insights into the significance of maintaining good hygiene practices. “They were educated on simple yet effective habits such as covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing, regular hand washing, consuming nutritious foods, and staying away from smoking and alcohol.” “Additionally, the importance of receiving BCG vaccinations as a preventive measure against TB transmission was emphasized, highlighting how such proactive steps can play a pivotal role in halting the spread of the disease within communities.” “Furthermore, the engagement of the children extended to creative endeavours, with activities including the crafting of banners adorned with their handprints – a symbolic gesture representing unity in the fight against TB.” Moreover, some of the libraries saw parents actively participating in the initiative by providing support, such as organizing a healthy lunch for the participants to culminate the day's events. This holistic approach not only served to empower the children with knowledge and awareness but also fostered a sense of community involvement and shared responsibility in combating tuberculosis effectively.

The first day of the long Easter weekend was what most people looked forward to, however for the Catholic faithfuls in Port Moresby, Friday March 29th marked a significant day as it was their annual Station of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa (Latin for Way of Sorrows). The event consisted of a series of 14 artistic illustrations (stations) capturing key moments during Jesus’ journey to His death on Good Friday where at each station, the masses recalled and meditated on a specific event from Christ's last day. The walk began from St. Charles Luanga in Gerehu and ended at the receiving parish, St. Joseph in East Boroko. Station 1 – St. Charles L’wanga Parish Station 2 – Rainbow Station 3 – NRI Station 4 – ADCOL Station 5 –Boulevard Station 6 – Vision City Station 7 – Islander Station 8 – Hohola Bus Stop Station 9 – PNG Power Station 10 – Foodland Bus Stop Station 11 –POM GEN Bus Stop Station 12 – Vadavada Roundabout Station 13 – China Town (East Boroko) Station 14 – St. Joseph Parish Selected suburbs in the Nation’s Capital were packed with individuals who had woken up early to participate in the walk.