They smiled shyly and giggled when asked questions.
They bit their fingernails and tapped one side of the leg and scratched their heads when another question was directed at them.
But as the encouraging educational talks continued and the thin Lassul Bay air cleared out with the sun popping its head of the many clouds above, their smiles grew wider as they were handed a book each.
That is in a far flung part of the Gazelle district, further down Lassul Bay after Kipka, on a three-hour drive through Utmei, Mandaress, Radigi, Kamanakam, Wara Pukpuk, Wara Kindam, Vunamarita, Mamapit and Ragos. St Mary’s Lan Primary School is host to these shy little children. The University of Papua New Guinea East New Britain Students Association (UPNG ENBSA) was the reason that brought joy to these little children.
The student group was on its annual book drive program in partnership with the South Pacific School Aid, the Australian based organization that collected school books and shipped to Port Moresby.
The program is into its fourth year and was further strengthened by the support of the Gazelle district through local MP and National Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Jelta Wong, who assisted with logistics. The East New Britain Development Corporation also provided transport through the week-long distribution program while the governor’s office came in on the last day.
The students associations president Joachim Lolok commended the support of the provincial leaders and the provincial business arm and urged the students to develop a reading culture.
He said reading unlocks information and that adds more knowledge and inspires students to do better in their education.
Mr Lolok encouraged the students to believe in themselves despite their rural setting, saying that through reading they can achieve their dreams to become whoever they want to be in the future.