BSP continues to support Manus in education projects

Manus is one of 60 locations in PNG where BSP is the only bank but being the only bank in the Province has not limited BSP from delivering community projects apart from its traditional banking services. One of the main area of support has been towards schools.

“In fact for the past ten years, BSP has delivered more than just banking. We have delivered four education-related projects valued at K100,000  in Manus, a boost to not only learning but through personal development in sports,” said BSP Group General Manager – Retail, Daniel Faunt.

One such project was for students at ECOM Secondary School where BSP refurbished their Computer Laboratory and donated computers and printers to the value of K30,000 in 2020, a boost to the 2021 academic year.

“In 2018, we installed solar lights at Papitalai Secondary School, assisting students’ learning and especially with study lights during blackouts and earlier in 2015, we constructed three grand stands at Manus Secondary School’s soccer field, both valued at K25, 000 each.

“Nuwok SDA Primary School is another recipient of BSP’s Community Project in 2011 where we painted its Grade 8 classroom and installed a Tuffa Tank. The project was valued at K20,000,” Mr Faunt added.

Since 2009, BSP through its Community Project initiatives, has given back a total of K275,000 towards 12 community projects in Manus, K100,000 of which was allocated to the mentioned school projects.

Mr Faunt said having a customer base of more than 24,000, BSP Lorengau Branch is the only bank serving Manus Province and its remote inland and outer islands. “Apart from the banking services, we also provide financial literacy awareness and account opening since the 1970s starting as an agent of PNG Banking Corporation.” 

2015 Students of Manus Secondary School gather to witness the handover of the new mini-grandstand constructed by BSP.

Health is the second biggest recipient of BSP’s Community Projects in Manus. 2020 also saw Hand Wash Stations being installed at three locations in Lorengau town - Pombrut Primary School, Lorengau Main Market and East Lorengau Clinic respectively for public to use to wash their hands regularly to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus.

Lorengau General Hospital’s outpatient waiting area was renovated in 2009, and again it was revisited in 2019 for maintenance works. In 2017, Lorengau East and West Clinics received donation of Health Equipment and furniture from the bank.

Apart from Community Projects, early Childhood learning through the Buk bilong Pikinini Library in Lorengau is another area BSP supports in Lorengau by funding programs that the Buk bilong Pikinini runs - basic literacy and numeracy development.