Japan to grant $438K for two special schools and hospital

Assistance is part of Japan’s grant assistance for Grassroots human Security projects (GGP) programme.

The government of Japan will soon sign a grant contract for three projects worth US$218,729 (FJ$438,606.33) to provide assistance to certain organisations in Fiji. Embassy of Japan Economic Affairs and Corporation Divisions officer Peni Saurara said the grant would be provided as assistance to the Gospel School for the Deaf, Labasa Divisional Hospital and Nausori Special School through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.

Mr Saurara expects the signing ceremony to be hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Suva today in the presence of the Ambassador of Japan, Masahiro Omura. Mr Omura will be signing the three grant contracts with the respective recipient representatives to formalise Japan’s assistance. Mr Saurara said the project for Gospel School for the Deaf is a grant of up to US$50,112 (FJ$100,487.09) to buy a 30-seater school bus to replace the school’s 14-year-old bus.

The school’s roll has now grown to 56 students, which is a burden to the school’s existing vehicles, affecting the performance of students who are unable to arrive in school on time causing parents to worry because of the high risk of accidents.

The project for the Labasa Divisional Hospital is a grant of US$80,681 (FJ$161,785.58) to buy a new ambulance. There is a growing demand for medical transfers from the sub-divisional health centres and nursing stations to the Labasa Divisional Hospital. The current ambulance is a burden to the hospital with huge repairs and maintenance costs.

The project for Gospel School for the Deaf is a grant of up to US$50,112 (FJ$100,487.09) to buy a 30-seater school bus to replace the school’s 14-year-old bus. Peni Saurara Embassy of Japan Economic Affairs and Corporation Divisions officer The project for the Labasa Divisional Hospital is a grant of US$80,681 (FJ$161,785.58) to buy a new ambulance.