JFY2021 GGP “The Project for Construction of Airai Child Care Center”
2026/3/3
The 2-Year Follow-Up
On February 26, 2026, the Embassy’s GGP coordinator met with Ms. Phoebe K. Aderiano, CCD & CAT Apprenticeship Program Coordinator of the Palau Community Action Agency (PCAA), at the Airai Child Care Center. The visit was conducted as part of the second-year follow-up for “The Project for Construction of Airai Child Care Center.”
Through the Government of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP), PCAA opened a new childcare center on June 14th in 2024, with a total grant of USD 199,606.
The PCAA operates early childhood education facilities in Palau. However, the existing nursery school in Koror had only two classrooms and could not meet the growing demand.
Through this project, a new childcare center was established in Airai, where the population is rapidly increasing, and the necessary equipment for operation was provided. This has created an environment in which children can receive a proper education, and parents can focus on work or study with peace of mind.
Two years after the opening of the new childcare center, the facilities and equipment remain well-maintained under the PCAA’s careful management. The nursery continues to contribute to local childcare support and serves as an important foundation for developing Palau’s future human resources.
Japan’s GGP was launched in Palau in 1999 to address grassroots development needs, including education, healthcare, and community welfare. This project marks the 93rd of 105 GGP projects implemented in Palau.
The Handover Ceremony
On May 23, 2024, His Excellency ORIKASA Hiroyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Palau, officially handed over a new child care center in Airai to the Palau Community Action Agency (PCAA).
Airai Governor Norman Ngiratecheboet, Vice Speaker Stephanie Ngirchoimei and Delegate Victoria Kanai, Delegate Yutaka Gibbons Jr. PCAA Board President Ryobch Luii, Executive Director Marcia Inacio, and other guests from the community celebrated the opening of a new child care center in Airai, funded by the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP).
The new child care center will be operated by the PCAA, which currently provides affordable, quality day care and pre-school programs for young children at two locations in Koror, amongst other programs that empowers schools and the community.
“Child care centers are very important social infrastructure in Palau, not only for early childhood education, but also for reducing Palauan labor turnover. Many working parents have no other choice but to leave their jobs even if they want to work due to the lack of child care services.” Ambassador Orikasa commented.
Thanks to PCAA’s child care program, Palau now has two affordable child care centers for 12 months to five years old children, enabling parents to remain in the workforce or continue their education, thereby boosting economic activity for the community and the country as a whole.
“I would like to thank all the stakeholders, who worked hard to provide a larger and more convenient location for the child care center. The change of location has meant that we have had to wait longer, but we know it has been worth the wait and I am really looking forward to seeing this place filled with young children laughing and learning as they play and interact with each other.” Ambassador Orikasa added.
Since the opening of the other GGP-funded child day care center in Koror, which opened in 2015, the demand for day care services has increased, especially in the Airai area, and there are currently many pre-school aged children on PCAA’s waiting list.
With two classrooms and a roofed play area, PCAA’s new child care center will be able to serve up to thirty children.
The Signing Ceremony
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.