The Japanese Government, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US$480,050 for
1) The Project for Upgrading of Tha Yet Pin Kwin – Gyo Gone Village road in Einme Township, Ayeyarwaddy Region (US$111,178),
2) The Project for Construction of Kwin Kauk Basic Education High School in Ingapu Township, Ayeyarwady Region (US$133,568),
3) The Project for Construction of Tar Ngote Village Basic Education Primary School in Hinthada Township, Ayeyarwaddy Region (US$93,791) and
4) The Project for Construction of No.2 Basic Education Middle School in Hinthada Township, Ayeyarwaddy Region (US$141,513).

The handover ceremonies of the projects above took place in Einme, Ingapu and Hinthada Township on 17th, 18th and 19th May, respectively. Mr. Yosuke TANAKA, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, U Aung Kyaw Khaing, Speaker of Ayeyarwady Region Hluttaw, Gha Moe Myat Myat Thu, Minister for Kayin National Race Affairs of Ayeyarwady, and the officials from District and Township General Administrative Department and Education Department, Committee Chairpersons, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents attended the ceremonies.

As the earthen road between Tha Yet Pin Kwin village and Gyo Gone Village became muddy during the rainy season, the villagers had been struggling to transport their agricultural products, to send students to schools, and to transfer patients to hospital. Moreover, the only one highschool is located in Gyo Gone Village, which is 5km away from Tha Yet Pin Kwin village. Consequently, most of the students gave up attending the high school. In order to tackle these challenges, the Government of Japan has supported upgrading of the 5.5-kilometer-long road, 8 pipe-culverts and 6 box-culverts. The project will benefit 13,818 local residents of 9 surrounding villages.

Kwin Kauk Basic Education High School was established in 1958. Although the High School which built in 1973 had been decayed and had the insufficient number of classrooms, many students had been studying there under dangerous conditions. In order to tackle this challenge, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a two-storey Reinforced Concrete Construction (R.C.C.) building with 8 classrooms, full furniture and 6 lavatories. The project will benefit 1,727 students of the school.

The school building and lavatories in Tar Ngote Village Basic Education Primary School, were completely destroyed by the river flooding in 2015. Therefore, all the students had been studying in the monastery under overcrowded conditions. In order to secure a proper educational environment for those students, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a one-storey R.C.C. building with 5 classrooms, full furniture and 3 lavatories. The project will benefit 84 students of the school.

No.2 Basic Education Middle School had been suffering from the flood damage for years and two of three school buildings were completely submerged and deteriorated due to the flood in 2015. Due to the lack of alternate school building, the students had to study in these collapsed buildings. In order to provide a secure educational environment for those students, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a two-storey R.C.C. building with 8 classrooms, full furniture, and walkway. The project will benefit 370 students of the school.

The Government of Japan has assisted 823 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993: the number consisting of 400 education projects, 199 healthcare projects, 139 public welfare and environment projects, 50 infrastructure projects and 35 other projects. It is anticipated that these assistances will further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.