JFY2016 GGP “The Project for School Bus Procurement for Airai Elementary School”

On March 5, 2026, the Grassroots Projects (GGP) Coordinator of the Embassy of Japan visited Airai Elementary School and met with Principal Norma Mersai. The visit was conducted as a follow-up to two projects: “The Project for School Bus Procurement for Airai Elementary School” and “The Project for the Procurement of a School Bus for Airai Elementary School.”
 
Through the Government of Japan’s GGP, Airai elementary school received two 30-passenger school buses: one on August 3, 2017, with a total grant of USD 107,245, and another on August 7, 2024, with a total grant of USD 90,745.
 
Even nine and two years after their respective project completions, around 140 students use the buses, with each bus making two trips daily for morning and afternoon commutes. The buses are also used for off-campus activities, supporting a variety of educational programs. The Embassy of Japan hopes that the buses will continue to support students’ safe commutes and their learning.
 
Japan’s GGP was launched in Palau in 1999 to address grassroots development needs, including education, healthcare, and community welfare. These projects form part of the 105 GGP projects implemented in Palau to date.
 

 
On Thursday, August 3, 2017, Ambassador of Japan Toshiyuki Yamada formally handed over the brand new school buses to Airai and Aimeliik Elementary Schools. The handing over ceremony for “The Project for School Bus Procurement for Airai Elementary School” and “The Project for School Bus Procurement for Aimeliik Elementary School” was held under the KB Bridge in Koror. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Education Sinton Soalablai, Chief of School Management Raynold Mechol, Principal of Airai Elementary School Appolonia Sasao, Principal of Aimeliik Elementary School Jeremiah Tem, and related personnel.
 
Through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP), each of Airai and Aimeliik Elementary Schools was granted the new 30-seater bus in the cost of around 100,000 USD each. Prior to this, Airai Elementary School did not own any school bus. On the other hand, Aimeliik Elementary School has owned two school buses, yet, one of them was deteriorated and unable to use.
 
Accordingly, the brand new buses will now allow Airai and Aimeliik Elementary Schools to provide safe transportation to students and increase educational opportunities outside of the states without difficulty of transportation.
 
At the ceremony, Ambassador Yamada expressed his wish that the two new 30-seater buses would be well used and maintained by both two schools and Palau Ministry of Education for a long period of time, and that it would lead to further deepen the friendship between Japan and Palau.
 
For further information about the GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Embassy of Japan website at https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html.