Children of the Lealea community in Central Province will soon benefit from a new double classroom facility following support from Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSP) under its 50for50 Givim Bek initiative.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the new classroom was held today (Tuesday 28/07/2026) at Lealea Village, with community leaders, parents, students and BSP representatives attending the event.
The centre began in 1999 as a literacy class aimed at helping community members learn to read and write before being transformed in 2014 into the Salvation Army Early Learning Centre, focusing on early childhood education.
For 26 years there were no proper learning facilities to house the students.
BSP Group Chief Information Officer, Ray Naicker said the project reflected BSP’s commitment to giving back to communities across Papua New Guinea.
Naicker said the 50for50 Givim Bek initiative was created to mark Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary by delivering 50 community projects valued at K50,000 each to 50 communities nationwide.
He said the Lealea project was nominated by BSP staff and represented their passion to support the communities that have shaped them.
“This centre has played a vital role in nurturing young children between the ages of four and seven through their early childhood education developments, and this included character building through strong Christian values.”
“It has operated with modest resources and means, but with a strong commitment to providing quality education and a solid foundation for young learners.”
Naicker also announced an additional K30,000 commitment under BSP’s community projects program to further support the development.
Member for Hiri-Koiari, Keith Iduhu welcomed the development, saying investment in education was an investment in the future.
“We invest in education, we invest in our children, we invest in the future of our communities, in the future of our local government, our district and our country.”
Iduhu said education remained a priority under the district’s development plans and praised the Salvation Army for maintaining the learning centre for more than two decades despite limited resources.
He further announced an additional K250,000 support commitment from the district towards the project.
