Home>Press Release>Japan hands over GGP Grant for Palau Mission Academy
◆Japan hands over GGP Grant for Palau Mission Academy
On Tuesday, March 5, 2013, Japan Ambassador Yoshiyuki Sadaoka formally handed over to Palau Mission Academy (PMA) its reconstructed gym. The handing over ceremony was held at the PMA campus in Ngerikiil, Airai and was witnessed by Paramount Chief Ibedul Yutaka Gibbons, PMA Board Chairman Senator Surangel Whipps Jr., PMA Board Member Senator Rukebai Kikuo Inabo, as well as other board members.
The PMA gym reconstruction had $51,079 of its total cost funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP). Built 25 years ago, PMA’s gym had rusty columns and cracks in its concrete floor and wall. Additionally, the space around the basketball court was too narrow that is posed a risk of basketball court users crashing into the surrounding columns and walls. The gym’s reconstruction has now resurfaced its floor, reinforced its steel columns and walls, extended its width and length, and raised its roof. The renovations were carried out with the intent of solidifying the gym’s foundation and making it more users friendly.
PMA is one (1) of three (3) schools that have received funding through GGP for their gym. GGP funded the construction of a multipurpose gym building for Koror Elementary School (KES) in 2006 and is currently funding the construction of a gym for Airai Elementary School. This will mark the second GGP grant awarded PMA after the school received a GGP grant in 2000 for laboratory apparatus and equipment. It is expected that the PMA gym will continue its past tradition and remain open for public use.
©Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Palau
P.O. Box 6050 Koror, Republic of Palau 96940