JFY2023 GGP “The Project for Procurement of School Bus for Airai Elementary School”
2026/3/10
The 2-Year Follow-Up
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.
The Handover Ceremony
Airai Elementary School Welcomes a New School Bus Provided by Japan's Grassroots Grant Project
On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, His Excellency ORIKASA Hiroyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Palau handed over a brand new 30-seat bus to Airai Elementary School. This Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project’s (GGP) handover ceremony was held on the campus of Airai Elementary School and was attended by the Honorable Dr. Dale Jenkins, Minister of Education, representatives of the Ministry of Education management team, and other guests who joined the students and teachers to celebrate this occasion.
For Airai Elementary School, improving the safety, efficiency, comfort and reliability of its school transport was one of the most important issues to benefit the community it serves. As a response to the request from Ms. Norma Marsai, Principal of Airai Elementary School, the Government of Japan provided a grant of USD 90,745 for the purchase of a school bus. With the brand new 30-seat school bus, in addition to the existing 30-seat bus also provided by the Japanese GGP in 2017, the school is now able to provide safer, and more reliable school transport for its students.
“The yellow color stands out more than the other colors, and it sends a message to all other motorists that the vehicle is carrying school children. It is the community’s duty to protect children, and providing better transportation to help students get to school is indeed an important responsibility for us,” said Ambassador Orikasa. “As a child growing up in the Japanese countryside, I walked a very long distance to and from school every day, and I know how important it is to provide safe and reliable school transport. I hope the students will enjoy the school field trips and extracurricular activities as well as the daily commute with the new addition.” Ambassador Orikasa continued.
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999 to meet development needs in grassroots activities in Palau. Since then, the Embassy of Japan in Palau has signed 102 grant contracts so far with schools, hospitals, state governments and NGOs. For further information about GGP, contact 488-6455 or visit the Embassy of Japan website at https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/about_ggp.html.
For Airai Elementary School, improving the safety, efficiency, comfort and reliability of its school transport was one of the most important issues to benefit the community it serves. As a response to the request from Ms. Norma Marsai, Principal of Airai Elementary School, the Government of Japan provided a grant of USD 90,745 for the purchase of a school bus. With the brand new 30-seat school bus, in addition to the existing 30-seat bus also provided by the Japanese GGP in 2017, the school is now able to provide safer, and more reliable school transport for its students.
“The yellow color stands out more than the other colors, and it sends a message to all other motorists that the vehicle is carrying school children. It is the community’s duty to protect children, and providing better transportation to help students get to school is indeed an important responsibility for us,” said Ambassador Orikasa. “As a child growing up in the Japanese countryside, I walked a very long distance to and from school every day, and I know how important it is to provide safe and reliable school transport. I hope the students will enjoy the school field trips and extracurricular activities as well as the daily commute with the new addition.” Ambassador Orikasa continued.
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999 to meet development needs in grassroots activities in Palau. Since then, the Embassy of Japan in Palau has signed 102 grant contracts so far with schools, hospitals, state governments and NGOs. For further information about GGP, 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
Airai Elementary School Will have a New Bus Through Japa's Grassroots Project
On March 19, 2024, the grant contract signing ceremony for “The Project for the Procurement of School Bus for Airai Elementary School” through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP), was held at the Embassy of Japan. The contract was signed between His Excellencey Mr. ORIKASA Hiroyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Palau, and Ms. Norma Mersai, Principal of Airai Elementary School.
“School buses are a critical component of Palau’s school infrastructure, providing students with access to schools that are often located far from their homes. For those students who live far away from school, the bus is the only means of transportation to and from school, and without a safe means of transportation, parents cannot rest easy. I am very pleased that we are able to provide the precious Palauan children with the vital means to get to school.” said Ambassador Orikasa at the ceremony.
With the assistance of GGP, students of Airai Elementary School will enjoy the safe and reliable transportation. The school bus will also be used for various extracurricular activities, including environmental education, to nurture a generation that will protect the country’s rich natural environment, and further enhance the learning environment at their school.
The ceremony was attended by the Honorable Dr. Dale Jenkins, Minister of Education, Ms. Aileen Mikel, Chief of School Management Operation, Ministry of Education and other guests.
“School buses are a critical component of Palau’s school infrastructure, providing students with access to schools that are often located far from their homes. For those students who live far away from school, the bus is the only means of transportation to and from school, and without a safe means of transportation, parents cannot rest easy. I am very pleased that we are able to provide the precious Palauan children with the vital means to get to school.” said Ambassador Orikasa at the ceremony.
With the assistance of GGP, students of Airai Elementary School will enjoy the safe and reliable transportation. The school bus will also be used for various extracurricular activities, including environmental education, to nurture a generation that will protect the country’s rich natural environment, and further enhance the learning environment at their school.
The ceremony was attended by the Honorable Dr. Dale Jenkins, Minister of Education, Ms. Aileen Mikel, Chief of School Management Operation, Ministry of Education and other guests.