Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Palau

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◆The Project for Peleliu Elem. School Transportation System

　　　1999 was another milestone for the Japan-Palau diplomatic relations as the Government of Japan began to fund GGP project for local government agencies and NGO’s of Palau. One of the first recipients of this assistance was Peleliu Elementary School in the form of a microbus to transport students from home to school and back. Impressively, this microbus is still in use today.

　　　The secret to the long life of the microbus is the regular maintenance by school staff. The bus is sent to Koror every six months for tune-ups and oil changes. These activities ensure that the bus is always running in good condition, guaranteeing the safety of the schoolchildren that ride the bus daily.

　　　When the Embassy of Japan receives applications for GGP, one of the biggest issues is the maintenance scheme for each project. Since GGP only funds installation costs, excluding operation and maintenance costs, our greatest concern is that the equipments or facilities provided by the grant scheme will be abandoned after a few years due to poor maintenance and operation. The Embassy and the people of Japan wish that all projects provided under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) be used as long as possible to support the development of primary health care, education, and economic stability of the recipient organization and the community at large.

　　　The microbus of Peleliu Elementary School is a prime example of a successful project that remains productive for many years to support the primary education and the community of Peleliu. Their ability to maintain the bus and keep it in good running condition for 11 years inspires confidence and enabled the school to receive their second GGP in 2009 entitled “the Project for Peleliu Elementary School Restroom Facilities”. The Embassy of Japan encourages local organizations to plan their proposals well and include a feasible management and maintenance plan that ensures the longevity of the project.

　　　It is a proud and happy occasion for Embassy staff to come across a vehicle or equipment with an ODA sticker from years ago that is still in good use. We hope to find and support more and more long-lasting projects like the Peleliu Elementary School bus.