Japan grants local NGO $87 thousand for education in south Kordofan
January 25, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Japanese government has extended a grant assistance of 87.495 US dollar to a local NGO in southern Kordofan state to improve school environment in the state.
The Japanese Ambassador in Khartoum Yuichi Ishii, and the Director-General of Vet-Care Organization Mo’men Sadig Mohammed signed a grant contract to finance a project to improve school environment at Korkora Kenana Primary School and Debeibat Girls’ Primary Schools in Debeibat, South Kordofan State.
The grant is provided under a Japanese grant scheme called ‘Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects (GGHSP), which is one of the Japan’s Official Development Assistance programmes.
In Debeibat locality, enrollment rate at primary school is low and construction of schools has been faced with difficulty due to limited finance. South Kordofan is a state where the largest number of IDPs wishes to return; though the return has been hindered due to limited social services particularly in education sector.
The grant will enable the construction of 4 classrooms in Debeibat Girls’ Primary School and Korkora Kenana Primary School will be equipped with 112 sets of desks and chairs, safety fence surrounding the school, a hand-pump and 6 toilets, together with 2 new classrooms and 6 renovated classrooms.
It is expected that over 1,000 students will have access to improved learning environment, and approximately 300 students will start schooling thanks to the better environment.
This is the second grant provided by Japan to the Vet-Care Organization followed by the one provided in 2007 amounted at US$ 84,946 to improve school environment at Debeibat Girls’ School and Umglaina Primary School in Debeibat.
The Japanese development assistance programme aims at promoting socio –economic development projects implemented directly by NGOs. The priority is given to project dealing with basic human needs such as primary health care, education, poverty alleviation.
Since 1999, the Government of Japan has supported nearly 50 projects across the Sudan through GGHSP scheme.
(ST)