Japan’s GGP Grant to Senior Citizens Center

On Monday, December 28, 2020, His Excellency, KARASAWA Akira, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in Palau, formally handed over a renovated building to Senior Citizens Center. The ribbon cutting ceremony for “The Project for Renovating Senior Citizens Center” was held at Senior Citizens Center in Koror, and was attended by President Remengesau, Paramount Chief Ibedul, Paramount Chief Reklai, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Temengil and other distinguished guests.
 
The Senior Citizens Center building was renovated in the total cost of $89,639, through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). Through the implementation of this project, the multipurpose room and the bathrooms were fully renovated.
 
Since Senior Citizens Center plays a very important role in the community and the number of users is expected to increase in the future because family style has been changed in the society nowadays. However, the building of the center was deteriorated and unsafe and secure for the elderly people who use the center. The renovated building will allow the center to provide the safe and secured environment. At the same time, the center will be able to accommodate more people and improve their quality of life in the community.
 
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 December 28, 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 for GGP in order to contribute to sustainable development of Palau. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Embassy of Japan’s GGP website at https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/about_ggp.html .

 

 

On 27 August, Ambassador Karasawa joined the ground breaking ceremony for “The Project for Renovating Senior Citizens Center” at the Meyuns Youth Center compound. This ceremony was held with other four projects’ ground breaking and ribbon cutting ceremonies that attended by President Remengesau, Minister of Community, and Cultural Affairs Temengil, traditional chiefs and some officials from Koror State Government.

 
The multipurpose room and the bathrooms at the Senior Citizens Center will be renovated under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

 

In the ceremony, President Rememgesau expressed his gratitude towards Japan’s assistance. Minister Temengil stated that she was happy to see its renovation as she had been waiting for its happening for a long time.

 
Ambassador Karasawa stated in his speech that people would be able to use the facilities safely and feel secured in the building. He also delivered his hope that it would accommodate more people and improve their quality of life.

 

 

 
On Wednesday, February 19, 2020, Karasawa Akira, Ambassador of Japan and Baklai Temengil, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, signed the grant contract for “The Project for Renovating Senior Citizens Center”, valued $89,639, under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan and was witnessed by Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs’ personnel.
 
The Senior Citizens Center plays a very important role for the welfare of the elderly in Palau. The center provides elderly clients with a variety of programs in the community. For instance, the center supplies nutritious meals, conduct exercise programs and gives opportunity to interact visitors from schools, community organizations, and groups from other countries.
 
However, the center cannot deal with the increased number of users because of various functional problems. Furthermore, the deterioration of the facility is threatening its client’s safety. To solve these problems, the Embassy of Japan decided to grant the renovation of the center.
 
In his remarks at the ceremony, Ambassador Karasawa hoped that people will be able to use its facilities safely and feel secured in the building. He also hopes that it will accommodate more people and improve their quality of life. Minister Temengil conveyed her appreciation for the grant as a Minister and on behalf of the President and mentioned that the Ministry had been working on renovation of the center for 10 years but it had not happened. 
 
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 February 21, 2020, the Embassy has signed 81 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 .