Home>Press Release>The Project for Reconstruction of Typhoon Damaged Facilities for Aimeliik Elementary School/ Aimeliik Elementary School
◆50th GGP grant supports Aimeliik ES;
signing witnessed by Minister Ishihara
Ambassador of Japan Kazuhiro Tajiri and Aimeliik Elementary School (AES) Principal Jeremiah Tem signed on January 13, 2014 the grant contract for ‘The Project for Reconstruction of Typhoon Damaged Facilities for Aimeliik Elementary School’. The project, amounting to $14,660, is funded through the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects (GGP).
The signing ceremony was held at the President’s Office in Melekeok and was witnessed by Minister of the Environment of Japan Nobuteru Ishihara, State Minister Billy Kuartei, Ambassador of Palau to Japan Francis Matsutaro, Airai Delegate Marino Ngemaes, Airai Governor Leilani Reklai, Acting Director Bureau of Education Debbie Tkel-Sbal, Chief of School Management Sinton Soalablai, and other related personnels.
Due to super typhoon Haiyan which struck Palau on 7th November last year, AES classrooms, kitchen and playground were damaged. To this day, two of its classrooms and the playground are still not useable. Furthermore, two other classrooms are facing electrical damages.
With the grant assistance, it is expected that the reconstructed facilities will provide AES students enough classroom spaces and better environment for study and physical exercise.
In his remarks made in the ceremony, Minister Ishihara conveyed his sincere sympathies for the people affected by the typhoon. Furthermore, he stated that children are national treasures and their learning environment should not be compromised for any reason. He also wished that this assistance from Japan will lead to Palau’s earliest recovery.
The project for AES is the third GGP grant to typhoon Haiyan affected areas, after the project for John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Kayangel and Ngarchelong Elementary School, which were both signed in December 2013. The total sum of the three grants is over $500K.
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 January 13, 2014, the Embassy has signed 50 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.
◆Japan Hands Over Repaired School Facilities to Aimeliik Elementary School
On Friday, September 5, 2014, Ambassador of Japan Kazuhiro Tajiri formally handed over the repaired school facilities to Aimeliik Elementary School (AES). The handing over ceremony for “The Project for Reconstruction of Typhoon Damaged Facilities for Aimeliik Elementary School” was held at AES in Ngerkeai, Aimeliik State. The ceremony was attended by Senator Phillip Reklai, Delegate Marino Ngemaes, Delegate Lee Otobed, Delegate Yutaka Gibbons Jr., Governor of Aimeliik Leilani Reklai, Minister of Education Sinton Soalablai, MOE officials, students, teachers and parents of AES.
Through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), the school facilities which received a severe damage by typhoon Haiyan last November were fully renewed. Unable to use some school facilities, some students had to study in storages, as well as some had to study in dark classrooms without electricity after the typhoon. Nevertheless, by utilizing the facilities which have been fully repaired, students are expected to regain the school life before the typhoon, and be able to study back in a satisfactory environment. The government of Japan hopes that the renewed school facilities will be well maintained and be in use for a long period of time by AES.
With Ngarchelong Elementary School cafeteria and Palau-Japan Friendship Elementary School in Kayangel also handed over two weeks ago, all three schools which received severe damage from last year’s typhoon Haiyan has now been officially handed over from the government of Japan.
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999, for the purpose of responding to various development needs engaged in grassroots activities in Palau. This is the second GGP implemented in AES, followed by the project for procurement of school bus in 2010. As of September 5, 2014, the Embassy has signed 53 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.
©Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Palau
P.O. Box 6050 Koror, Republic of Palau 96940