Continuous Commitment

Japan has not only supported big projects, but has also engaged in helping at the grassroots level

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

In the last one week, the government of Japan has provided assistance to two grassroots-level projects. And this came soon after the government of Japan approved the utilization of the counterpart fund of Rs 500 million under the non-project grant aid in Japan ’s fiscal year 2003 for implementing nine projects on areas like rural electrification, local infrastructure, education, drinking water and water-induced disaster management.

In a show of continued commitment, the government of Japan decided to extend a grant of Rs 6.5 million to Jhoda Devdhar Development Group for the construction of RCC bridge over Devdhar Khola near Udayapur district. According to Japanese Embassy, the assistance was being provided under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme. The construction of the bridge will benefit approximately 90,000 people.

Likewise, the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu extended a grant of Rs 6.4 million to Committed Society for Change (COSOC) Nepal for the implementation of the Project for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation based on Solar Lifting System in Dhading district under the GGP scheme.

“The grant will be utilized for the installation of Solar Water Lifting System in five villages of Maidee VDCs in Dhading district. Similarly, 26 public tap stands will be installed to distribute water to the community. Approximately, 1500 people in those villages will directly benefit from this project,” states a press release by the Embassy. Of the total cost of the project, the community will bear up to 22 percent of the cost, which will cover the cost of program for health and sanitation awareness, monitoring and supervision of the project.

“We know that access to safe drinking water is a basic necessity of life and plays an important role in the health of the people. I have been informed that the people in this area are spending several hours each day fetching water due to the unavailability of water sources in the near-by area. By implementing this project, the people in the area will be able to utilize the time saved in various useful activities. And above all, we hope it will greatly improve the quality of life,” said Tsutomu Hiraoka, Japanese ambassador to Nepal . “I hope that the community people will make a concerted effort for the smooth implementation of the project and carry out proper management and maintenance with a deep feeling of ownership and self-help.”

The GGP, which is provided to help in the socio-economic development of people at grassroots level, has been a primary instrument of Japanese government in its efforts to help needy people.

Japanese Come To The Aid Of School

A higher secondary school in Saramthali VDC of Kavre district has been renovated and fitted with all essential facilities with the generous assistance of private Japanese nationals.

The Japanese nationals helped not only in the renovation of the physical structure but also in the interior side making the classrooms equipped with tables, chairs, desks and other essential items of the Nichinoken Bhume Secondary School.

Nichinoken is a reputed Japanese educational institution, which is engaged in supporting various educational activities there.

A 15-member Japanese delegation led by Mr. Kojima Isamu, who is the founder of the Nichinoken Institution, arrived in Nepal on September 19 to attend the inaugural ceremony and handed over the renovated public school to the School Management Committee on September 20.

 

Fifteen Japanese citizens from various walks of the lives, who have donated for the school building and upgrading of facilities were included in the delegation.

“This endeavor is also a part of continued show of generosity by not only the Japanese government but also the Japanese people to help Nepalese. And it is definite to strengthen people-to-people relations between the peoples of two countries,” said a press release issued by Incentive Tours and Sansui Treks, organizers of the trip.

Nichinoken, which has already supported in the construction of schools in Nepal before, could also extend its assistance to help more educational institutions and street children in future. Likewise, it could also expand its support towards hospitals in the coming days, the organizers hoped.

“Meanwhile, the Japanese delegation expressed happiness over their comfortable stay and adventurous rafting trip. They assured to inform their friends in Japan about the comfortable situation in Nepal and its natural beauty,” the press release added.