Japan’s GGP Grant to School Hand-Washing Stations for COVID-19 Response
2021/10/18
Japan Hands Over Hand-Wash Stations to MOE
On October 15, 2021, His Excellency KARASAWA Akira, Ambassador of Japan handed over 62 hand-wash stations to Ministry of Education. The handover ceremony for “The Project for Facilitating Hand-Wash Stations to Schools in Koror and Airai States” was held at Koror Elementary School and attended by the Honorable Dale Jenkins, Minister of Education, the MOE Management Team, Principals of schools, Students of Koror Elementary School, and many guests.
All students have been encouraged to wash their hands more frequently since the first cases of COVID-19 in Palau were confirmed in August this year. However, most of schools in Koror and Airai did not have enough facilities for students to wash their hands. Since many students are unvaccinated because of their age, many parents, families and teachers were concerned about their children’s safety at schools.
Considering this situation, the Embassy of Japan decided to install a total of 62 hand-wash stations at 14 schools including the private schools in Koror and Airai under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). After the completion of the phase 1 of the project in Koror and Airai, the phase 2 will cover the schools in Babeldaob, Peleliu, Angaur and Kayangel and will be completed by the middle of November, 2021. The hand-wash stations are located in various places at each school so that students can easily access and keep their hands clean whenever they need to.
At the ceremony, Minister Jenkins stated, “This is the biggest project MOE ever had. We appreciate the Government of Japan and also all people who are involved to make this project possible.” Ambassador Karasawa mentioned that “Today, October 15th is Global Hand Wash Day and we set up the ceremony on the same day to encourage students to utilize the hand-wash stations for prevention of many diseases including COVID-19”. He also expressed his hope that the practice of handwashing would enhance good hygiene in Palau.”
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 October 15, 2021, the Embassy has signed 87 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 .
On October 15, 2021, His Excellency KARASAWA Akira, Ambassador of Japan handed over 62 hand-wash stations to Ministry of Education. The handover ceremony for “The Project for Facilitating Hand-Wash Stations to Schools in Koror and Airai States” was held at Koror Elementary School and attended by the Honorable Dale Jenkins, Minister of Education, the MOE Management Team, Principals of schools, Students of Koror Elementary School, and many guests.
All students have been encouraged to wash their hands more frequently since the first cases of COVID-19 in Palau were confirmed in August this year. However, most of schools in Koror and Airai did not have enough facilities for students to wash their hands. Since many students are unvaccinated because of their age, many parents, families and teachers were concerned about their children’s safety at schools.
Considering this situation, the Embassy of Japan decided to install a total of 62 hand-wash stations at 14 schools including the private schools in Koror and Airai under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). After the completion of the phase 1 of the project in Koror and Airai, the phase 2 will cover the schools in Babeldaob, Peleliu, Angaur and Kayangel and will be completed by the middle of November, 2021. The hand-wash stations are located in various places at each school so that students can easily access and keep their hands clean whenever they need to.
At the ceremony, Minister Jenkins stated, “This is the biggest project MOE ever had. We appreciate the Government of Japan and also all people who are involved to make this project possible.” Ambassador Karasawa mentioned that “Today, October 15th is Global Hand Wash Day and we set up the ceremony on the same day to encourage students to utilize the hand-wash stations for prevention of many diseases including COVID-19”. He also expressed his hope that the practice of handwashing would enhance good hygiene in Palau.”
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 October 15, 2021, the Embassy has signed 87 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 .
Signing Ceremony for “The Project for Facilitating Hand-Wash Station to Schools in Koror and Airai States”
On Thursday, October 22, 2020, Ambassador KARASAWA Akira of the Embassy of Japan, and Minister Sinton Soalablai, Ministry of Education (MOE) signed a grant contract for “The Project for Facilitating Hand-Wash Station to Schools in Koror and Airai States”, valued at $269,985 under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan and was witnessed by MOE officials.
This project will install hand-wash stations to 14 schools; 2 head starts, 1 private kindergarten, 2 day cares, 3 public elementary schools, 2 private elementary schools, 1 public high school and 3 private high schools in Koror and Airai State. The number of beneficiaries are expected to be around 2,700 students.
We all know that one of the most effective ways to prevent COVID-19 and other infectious diseases is hand-washing. However, the students in Palau have very limited access to hand-wash stations at their schools, even though they are encouraged to wash their hands these days. Hence, the Embassy of Japan has decided to provide hand-wash stations to the schools in Palau for the health of their students.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Karasawa explained the importance of hand-washing at school giving an example of hand-washing practice in Japan. After expressing his concern about the Palauan schools, where the students do not have enough hand-wash stations to keep their hands clean, he stated that he strongly believes the situation in Palau must be improved as soon as possible. In the end of his speech, he delivered his hope that this project will help students to establish hand-wash habit and good personal hygiene in both states.
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 October 22, 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 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 .