Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
The Grant Contract (G/C) for Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) was signed between Ambassador of Japan to India Hiroshi Suzuki and secretary of Mary Our Help Training Centre, Christina Kharkongor, on March 14, 2023.
The government of Japan offers a financial assistance scheme called the “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP)” for development projects designed to meet the diverse basic human needs of people in developing countries.
Since 1989, the scheme has been supporting relatively small-scale projects implemented by non-profit organizations such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and educational and medical institutions, through Japanese diplomatic missions in developing countries.
The grant name is Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) while the name of the project is for Provision of Water Supply System and Sanitation Facility at Bellefonte Community College, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya and the total amount of the grant is 8.32 million Yen (Rs 51 lakhs approximately).
It will contribute to facilitating sufficient water supply and improving the hygienic environment for the students and the staff.
The Mary Our Help Training Centre established Bellefonte Community College in East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya in 2010. The college provides general education and vocational training free of charge to children and young people, mainly from poor families.
On the other hand, due to the lack of a water supply system such as water storage tanks, the organization cannot secure sufficient water for the students and staff at the college. In addition, the college does not have enough toilets and hand-washing stations for the students.
Supporting the construction of water supply systems and sanitation facilities at the Bellefonte Community College through the GGP, the organization will be able to supply the necessary amount of water and a hygienic environment to the students and the staff. It will contribute to ceasing open defecation and keeping their hands clean.
The government of Japan expressed hope that the new grant project through the GGP scheme will help to reinforce the quality of living and human security of the people in India and further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Japan and India.