Christabellyn Kapi, a student at Habare Literacy Library (Hela Province) acts out her dream of becoming a doctor one day.
Every year, schools and libraries across Papua New Guinea spend a week celebrating books and the importance of reading them, and there is no better way than to see children draw inspiration from these books.
Such were the stories of these five to six-year-old children from Habare Literacy Library in Hela Province, who spoke confidently of their future aspirations during their book week celebrations last week.
An ambitious Christabellyn Kapi (five-year-old) of Kumaga village [pictured above] in the Tari Pori District, with enthusiasm her voice, shared her dream of becoming a doctor.
“I attend class every day because I want to become a doctor when I grow up. My teacher says, to be one, I must read a lot of books.”
Margret Andrew, teacher at Habare Literacy Library said, “It is pleasing to see that these children have big dreams of their own. As early childhood teachers, our role is to support their learning and help them develop key skills that provide the basis for future learning.”
“With assistance from our partners, Oil Search Foundation (OSF) and Buk Bilong Pikinini, we had a week full of educational activities for our students. These included drawing pictures and dressing up as characters of who they want to become according to the professions they chose.”
“We invited a policeman, an accountant, teachers, nurses who came dressed in their work uniforms to motivate these children to focus on education if they want to become like them.” adds Andrew
OSF Chief of Programs, Jean Martin said, “Book week is a great time to encourage children to read more. Our support to the Literacy Libraries in Habare, Fugwa and Kikori is to create a safe space for children in their early years to develop a love for reading, and other positive values enabling them to grow holistically.”
