On January 24, 2017, Ambassador of Japan Toshiyuki Yamada formally handed over a new training center, a total amount of US$90,000, to Ebiil Society under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

The handing over ceremony for “The Project for Construction of Training Center for Ebiil Society”, held at Ollei in Ngarchelong, was attended by President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Baklai Temengil, Ambassador of Palau to the U.S. Hersey Kyota, Chiefs from Ollei, Governors from Aimeliik, Airai, Kayangel, Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, and Ngchesar, and around 100 guests including community members from Ngarchelong State.

Ebiil Society has been working on a variety of projects from marine programs to terrestrial projects, as well as community based education programs for children and young people to promote environment conservation in Palau. The newly constructed training center includes an office space, a multi-purpose training center and a short term stay space for participants of trainings and researchers of projects. The new center will help Ebiil Society to increase its capacity and sustainability of programs and projects.
At the ceremony, Executive Director of Ebiil Society Ann Singeo thanked the Government of Japan for making a reality her dream of creating an education program one day based on Palauan knowledge and practices. Ambassador Yamada, in his speech, expressed his hope that the new training center would be treasured by Ebiil Society and local communities and well maintained for a long period of time.

Since Japan launched the GGP in 1999, the Embassy of Japan has conducted 64 projects (as of January 2017) through the GGP to assist the development at the grassroots level in Palau. The GGP’s focus areas include education, health care and environment, and its eligible recipients are nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, as well as local state governments. For further information about the GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Japan Embassy website at http://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/En/index.html.