Japan’s GGP Grant to Construct Child Care Center in Airai

On March 18, 2022, Ambassador of Japan Akira Karasawa and Executive Director of Palau Communication Action Agency (PCAA) Marcia Inacio signed the contract for “The Project for Construction of Airai Child Care Center” worth $199,606. The ceremony was held at Embassy of Japan and witnessed by Representatives of Board of Directors and administration staff of PCAA.
 
PCAA is the only NGO running child care facilities in Palau. Since PCAA opened a child care center in Palau Community College in 2000, it has played a vital role for day-care services in Palau. Although PCAA opened a new child care center for 1-to-2-year-olds in Ngerbeched, Koror in 2013 through Japan’s GGP, it always has a long waiting list of parents. There is an urgent need for PCAA to open a new child care center to meet the demand for day-care services in Airai State where its population has been growing.
 
 To help PCAA solve this issue, Embassy of Japan has decided to construct the new Child Care Centre in Airai State with basic classroom equipment such as tables and lockers to meet the needs of parents, guardians and children.
 
Through this project, the facility will enable the PCAA to take care of additional 30 children. The new center will be located in the land between Airai Elementary School and Airai Head Start Center which will realize a comprehensive system of education for the community that is accessible and convenient for parents and children in Airai State. Furthermore, it is expected that the project will lead to promote and enhance economic and social well-being of children, families and community.
           
At the ceremony, Ambassador Karasawa expressed his hope that this project would lead the PCAA to provide children with good education and care while they are away from their parents. Executive Director Inacio expressed her deep gratitude to the people and Government of Japan.
 
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999 to meet development needs in grassroots activities in Palau. The Embassy of Japan has signed 93 grant contracts with schools, hospitals, state governments and NGOs. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Embassy of Japan website at https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/about_ggp.html