JFY2021 GGP “The Project forReconstruction of the Auditorium for Maris Stella Elementary School”
2025/5/27
The 2-Year Follow-Up
The Embassy of Japan conducted the 2-year follow-up visit to Maris Stella School. Through the Government of Japan’s Grassroots Grant Assistance (GGP) program, the school received timely support to construct its new auditorium with funding totaling $394,030 USD. Since its completion in May 2023, the facility continues to serve as a vital space for both school and community activities, highlighting Japan’s commitment to supporting education and the well-being of Palau’s local community.
We are pleased to share that the facility is in good condition and well maintained. During the visit, we had the opportunity to meet with Acting Principal Mr. Walker Umetaro and Development & Finance Officer Ms. Hasinta Tabelual, who highlighted the many ways the auditorium has improved school life and served the broader public.
The facility is actively used for school assemblies, PTA meetings, and seasonal events such as the annual Christmas Program, Catholic Schools Week, and the upcoming MSS promotional day in June for students advancing to higher education. In addition to school functions, the auditorium also served as a voting venue during the 2024 Palau General Elections and has supported public health and safety outreach by hosting MOJ police programs for students, MHHS Public Health Screening and Outreach programs, and Peace Winds’ free Kensing Health Screening Programs.
The Handover Ceremony
On May 18, 2023, His Excellency ORIKASA Hiroyuki, Ambassador of Japan handed over a new school auditorium to Maris Stella School. The handover ceremony for “The Project for Reconstruction of the Auditorium for Maris Stella School ” was held at Maris Stella School and attended by members of Maris Stella School, Board and PTA, 150 students and many guests.
The auditorium of Maris Stella School plays an important role for the school operation. It has been used for school assemblies, class activities such as physical education, seasonal events including Christmas programs, graduation ceremonies and PTA meetings. In addition, people have used the auditorium for exercise activities such as Zumba, community meetings, and as an evacuation shelter. Some national sports events such as Belau Games and Belau Youth Games have been also need in the auditorium. However, the auditorium was deteriorated due to over 60 years use, causing cracks on the walls and leaks on the ceilings. These conditions have made the school stop using the facility for students and people. Therefore, the reconstruction of the auditorium is an urgent matter for nearly 2,000 people including Maris Stella School students.
Considering the situation, Embassy of Japan recognized that the school definitely needs assistance and has decided to help reconstruct the auditorium in order to fix the problems and meet the needs for a safe learning environment for the students and for the community through Japan’s GGP assistance. The grant is worth $394,030 and this project is the first GGP to be implemented in Maris Stella School.
At the ceremony, Chairman, Maris Stella School Board of Director Delegate Mengkur Rechelulk expressed his deep appreciation to the Government and the People of Japan for its assistance. Ambassador Orikasa stated that “this project is not just to build a new auditorium, but also to see the children’s smiling faces running around this auditorium, and to contribute to the community and cultivating a feeling of home. I expect the school and community revitalizing to ensure maintenance and management of the new auditorium for the future generations.”
The handover ceremony ended with a beautiful chorus in Japanese by the Maris Stella students.
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 May 18, 2023, the Embassy has signed 98 grant contracts with schools and hospitals as well as state governments and non-profit organizations to contribute to sustainable development of Palau. 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
The auditorium of Maris Stella School plays an important role for the school operation. It has been used for school assemblies, class activities such as physical education, seasonal events including Christmas programs, graduation ceremonies and PTA meetings. In addition, people have used the auditorium for exercise activities such as Zumba, community meetings, and as an evacuation shelter. Some national sports events such as Belau Games and Belau Youth Games have been also need in the auditorium. However, the auditorium was deteriorated due to over 60 years use, causing cracks on the walls and leaks on the ceilings. These conditions have made the school stop using the facility for students and people. Therefore, the reconstruction of the auditorium is an urgent matter for nearly 2,000 people including Maris Stella School students.
Considering the situation, Embassy of Japan recognized that the school definitely needs assistance and has decided to help reconstruct the auditorium in order to fix the problems and meet the needs for a safe learning environment for the students and for the community through Japan’s GGP assistance. The grant is worth $394,030 and this project is the first GGP to be implemented in Maris Stella School.
At the ceremony, Chairman, Maris Stella School Board of Director Delegate Mengkur Rechelulk expressed his deep appreciation to the Government and the People of Japan for its assistance. Ambassador Orikasa stated that “this project is not just to build a new auditorium, but also to see the children’s smiling faces running around this auditorium, and to contribute to the community and cultivating a feeling of home. I expect the school and community revitalizing to ensure maintenance and management of the new auditorium for the future generations.”
The handover ceremony ended with a beautiful chorus in Japanese by the Maris Stella students.
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 May 18, 2023, the Embassy has signed 98 grant contracts with schools and hospitals as well as state governments and non-profit organizations to contribute to sustainable development of Palau. 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
The Signing Ceremony
On March 11, 2022, Ambassador of Japan Akira Karasawa and Principal of Maris Stella School Jose Ise signed a grant contract for “The Project for Reconstruction of the Auditorium for Maris Stella School” worth $394,030. The ceremony was held at Embassy of Japan and witnessed by Delegate Mengkur Rechelulk and representative of school administration staff.
The auditorium of Maris Stella School plays an important role for the school operation. It has been used for school assembly, class activities such as physical education, seasonal events including Christmas program, graduation ceremony and PTA meetings. In addition, people have used the auditorium for exercise activities such as Zumba, community meetings, and as an evacuation shelter. Some national sports events such as Belau Games and Belau Youth Games have been also used in the auditorium. However, the auditorium was deteriorated due to over 60 years use, causing cracks on the walls and leaks on the ceilings. These conditions has made the school to stop using the facility for students and people. Therefore, the reconstruction of the auditorium is an urgent matter for nearly 2,000 people including Maris Stella School students.
Considering the situation, Embassy of Japan recognized that the school definitely needs assistance and has decided to help reconstruct the auditorium in order to fix the problems and meet the needs for a safe learning environment for the students and for the community through Japan’s GGP assistance. The grant is worth $394,030 and this is the 3rd biggest GGP among all 30 previous projects in the education field. Also, this project is the first GGP to be implemented in Maris Stella School.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Karasawa expressed his hope that this project would contribute to the further development of Maris Stella School and its students and would bring positive impacts on the community. Principal Ise expressed his deep gratitude to the 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 91 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
The auditorium of Maris Stella School plays an important role for the school operation. It has been used for school assembly, class activities such as physical education, seasonal events including Christmas program, graduation ceremony and PTA meetings. In addition, people have used the auditorium for exercise activities such as Zumba, community meetings, and as an evacuation shelter. Some national sports events such as Belau Games and Belau Youth Games have been also used in the auditorium. However, the auditorium was deteriorated due to over 60 years use, causing cracks on the walls and leaks on the ceilings. These conditions has made the school to stop using the facility for students and people. Therefore, the reconstruction of the auditorium is an urgent matter for nearly 2,000 people including Maris Stella School students.
Considering the situation, Embassy of Japan recognized that the school definitely needs assistance and has decided to help reconstruct the auditorium in order to fix the problems and meet the needs for a safe learning environment for the students and for the community through Japan’s GGP assistance. The grant is worth $394,030 and this is the 3rd biggest GGP among all 30 previous projects in the education field. Also, this project is the first GGP to be implemented in Maris Stella School.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Karasawa expressed his hope that this project would contribute to the further development of Maris Stella School and its students and would bring positive impacts on the community. Principal Ise expressed his deep gratitude to the 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 91 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