On Thursday, October 22, 2020, Ambassador KARASAWA Akira of the Embassy of Japan, and Minister Sinton Soalablai, Ministry of Education (MOE) signed a grant contract for “The Project for Facilitating Hand-Wash Station to Schools in Koror and Airai States”, valued at $269,985 under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan and was witnessed by MOE officials.
This project will install hand-wash stations to 14 schools; 2 head starts, 1 private kindergarten, 2 day cares, 3 public elementary schools, 2 private elementary schools, 1 public high school and 3 private high schools in Koror and Airai State. The number of beneficiaries are expected to be around 2,700 students.
We all know that one of the most effective ways to prevent COVID-19 and other infectious diseases is hand-washing. However, the students in Palau have very limited access to hand-wash stations at their schools, even though they are encouraged to wash their hands these days. Hence, the Embassy of Japan has decided to provide hand-wash stations to the schools in Palau for the health of their students.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Karasawa explained the importance of hand-washing at school giving an example of hand-washing practice in Japan. After expressing his concern about the Palauan schools, where the students do not have enough hand-wash stations to keep their hands clean, he stated that he strongly believes the situation in Palau must be improved as soon as possible. In the end of his speech, he delivered his hope that this project will help students to establish hand-wash habit and good personal hygiene in both states.
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999, for the purpose of responding to various development needs engaged in grassroots activities in Palau. As of October 22, 2020, the Embassy has signed 83 grant contracts with schools and hospitals as well as state governments and non-profit organizations. Education, health care and environment are the primary fields prioritized by Japan and its GGP. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Embassy of Japan website at http://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html .
