Building Dreams: The Transformation of Talagone Primary School with Bucket of Love Foundation

Tiana Reimann
Apr 11
3 min read

Talagone Primary School, located in Kove, West New Britain, faced significant challenges last year. The school’s infrastructure was in urgent need of development due to a lack of funding or government assistance. What followed was a remarkable journey of rebuilding and hope that transformed the school and its future.

This project was a joint partnership with the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, which selected the Bucket of Love Foundation as the recipient of the 2025 Wish Tree Appeal. The good news arrived perfectly as the funding for this school project had depleted. We knew exactly where this money be used to the maximum benefit: Talagone Primary School!

Talagone Primary School in its initial phase. A simple frame erected by the village carptenters. They did their best to continue, however, there was not enough funds to complete it.

The children cram into a small bush hut classroom which has now been destroyed by the elements. Usually 25-30 students per classroom.

Early childhood learning is now implemented across the province, however there is no infrastructure in place. This is a classroom under someone's home on Talagone Island.

The First Step: Securing the Roof

The roof is a crucial component of any school building. Talagone Primary School lacked a roof entirely, so we began by purchasing insulation and roofing to provide shelter for the school's structure. This initial step was more than a mere repair; it represented a new beginning and a dedication to enhancing education in the region.

Parents & students pose with the new roofing iron to start the new school

Local carpenters placed the insulation and roofing on top of the school frame. This is the beginning of something great!

Completing the School with Essential Materials

Once the roofing iron was in place, the Bucket of Love Foundation continued its support by providing the remaining hardware materials needed to complete the school. These materials included:

Timber and nails for strengthening walls and frames
Windows and doors to secure classrooms and improve ventilation
Paint and finishing supplies to protect surfaces and brighten the school environment
Walls to protect the interior from the elements

BOLF’s involvement ensured that the school received quality materials that met safety standards. The foundation also coordinated with local hardware suppliers in Kimbe to source items efficiently, keeping costs manageable and supporting the local economy.

The community’s participation remained strong throughout this phase. Parents, teachers, and local workers joined forces to assist the local carpenters in completing the classroom, installing windows and doors, and cutting the colorbond to secure the office walls. This collaboration created a sense of ownership and pride in the school’s transformation.

Looking for additional donors to assist

The beautiful school still requires the following items and we are looking for additional donors who would like to assist on this project in financial aid or in-kind!

Infrastructure & Water

Roof guttering system & pipes — PGK 4,000
2 × 9000L water tanks — PGK 10,000 total
10 × cement bags — PGK 380–550

Classroom Furniture & Supplies

30 × basic wooden desks — PGK 5,400
2 × blackboards — PGK 300
Stationery for students — PGK 2,000

Power & Technology

Solar power system (laptop + printer) — PGK 4,500–8,000

Transport & Logistics

Truck transport — PGK 2,000
Banana boat hire — PGK 800

Total Estimated Cost Range

PGK 35,000

The school is almost complete with walls, insulation, roofing and flooring. There is still a lot to be done.

The Talagone Primary School will be openned to the students and teachers in May 2026. Overall, this project would not have got to this stage without the assistance of Elly from Australia, other cash donors, Baia Sportfishing PNG, Liamo Reef Resort and our MAJOR sponsor the Sir Brian Bell Foundation. When the openning date is confirmed, we welcome all donors to join us for the special event.

Beyond the physical changes, the project has strengthened the community’s connection to education. The collaboration between the school, families, and the Bucket of Love Foundation has shown that working together can overcome challenges and build a brighter future. I want to thank the Talagone Island community for seeing the importance of education and assisting with the building of the school; your efforts do not go unnoticed!

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Progress

While the transformation of Talagone Primary School is a major achievement, maintaining these improvements is essential. The school and community are now focused on: