Ms. Tomoko YOSHIHIRO, Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar, and representatives of recipient organizations from Yangon Region, Kayah State and Shan State signed grant contracts for the four projects on 6 March 2019. The Government of Japan, under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, will provide a total of US $555,623 as follows:

1. The Project for Upgrading of Road between Pet Inn Ka Lay Village and Kyaung Kone Village in Htantabin Township, Yangon Region (US $201,994);
2. The Project for Construction of Lo Bar Kho Village Basic Education Branch High School in Demoso Township, Kayah State (US $111,264);
3. The Project for Construction of Kone Thar Village Basic Education High School, Loikaw Township, Kayah State (US $98,625); and
4. The Project for Construction of Lar Ei Village Basic Education High School in Pekon Township, Shan State (US $143,740).

The road between Pet Inn Ka Lay village and Kyaung Kone village is an important access for the region to transport agricultural crops to large markets in Yangon. Moreover, since there are no hospital and high school in this area, the road is widely used by residents to access these social services. However, the road condition has become worse during rainy season, the people find it difficult to cross the road on foot. In order to tackle these issues, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for upgrading the 1,147 meter-long road and a culvert which will benefit 3,400 local residents from five surrounding villages.

Lo Bar Kho village is located in Demoso Township, Kayah State. Lo Bar Kho Village Basic Education Branch High School has three buildings. However, building 1 and 2 were constructed 26 yeas ago and 31 years ago respectively, and both of them seriously deteriorated. These buildings have tin roofs with many holes and no proper ceiling. As such, the students are unable to concentrate on their studies due to water leakage and the sound of rain striking the roof. In order to tackle these issues, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for construction of a two-storey reinforced concrete building with 6 classrooms and full furniture. The project will benefit 306 students attending the school.

One of the buildings of Kone Thar Village Basic Education High School in Loikaw Township, Kayah State is deteriorated as ceiling nearly copllapsing and wooden pillars are decaying. Even under the risk of coplapse, more than 200 students study in this building due to the lack of school buildings. In order to provide an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for construction of a one-storey reinforced concrete building with 5 classrooms, full furniture. The project will benefit 1,100 students attending the school.

Lar Ei Village Basic Education High School has been experiencing difficulties to accommodate the increasing number of students. As a result, more than 70 students are packed in one classroom which does not have proper wall to separate from other classes. In addition, the furniture of the facility such as desks and chairs are in poor condition. In order to provide an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for construction of a two-storey reinforced concrete building with 8 classrooms and full furniture. The project will benefit 583 students attending the school.

The Government of Japan has assisted 896 grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993, including 460 education projects, 200 healthcare projects, 140 public welfare and environment projects, 61 infrastructure projects and 35 others. This assistance is expected to further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.