Japan gives Zim US$803 000 for projects
JAPAN has provided US$803 000 for landmine clearance, education and health projects that are being implemented with non-governmental organisations to improve the human security of vulnerable groups in Zimbabwe.
Japan is also constructing a judo dojo through the Judo Association of Zimbabwe (JAZ).
The six programmes will largely be in Rushinga, Mudzi, Hwedza, Bikita and Lupane districts.
Agreements for the projects were signed yesterday by Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Shinichi Yamanaka and the heads of the six implementing NGOs.
The largest programme in terms of cost, the land mine clearance in Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East, will be implemented by the HALO Trust, with funding of US$507 019. Construction of school buildings at Vambo Primary School in Hwedza District will be carried out by SOS Children’s Village with US$72 000 provided.
Two second-hand ambulances from Japan worth US$39 363 are being given to WizEar Trust and another two to Silvera Mission Hospital in Bikita District with SolidarMed the implementing NGO at a cost of US$39 198.
SightSavers received US$ 72 910 for the provision of medical equipment for ophthalmic examination and treatment while Hand in Hand Zimbabwe received US$71 999 for construction of school buildings for Gobakhulu Primary School also in Lupane.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Yamanaka expressed the significance of the grant and his hope that the six projects would make a positive impact in the respective communities. He emphasised the importance of the commitment of each organisation to fully and thoroughly implement their projects for the benefit of the communities in Zimbabwe.
The grant assistance for grassroots and human security projects is a scheme which provides support to improve Tunic, that is human needs, such an education, health, food and nutrition security, and Woner, that is sanitation and hygiene, Ambassador Yamanaka said. It was launched in Zimbabwe in 1989 and 156 projects have been implemented so far, with funding totalling over US$16 million.
The judo dogo would be the first specialised dojo in the country. It will allow more extensive judo training and competitions and is expected to increase the number of judo athletes competing at a high level, aiming for the Olympics.
It is also expected to contribute to Zimbabwe-Japan friendship as judo is a sport originating in Japan, and through practicing judo, people learn Japanese culture and language.
The dojo will be constructed through US$73 498 funding from the grant assistance for cultural grassroots projects of the Japanese at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, and the project will be implemented by Judo Association of Zimbabwe.
Mr Nicholas Stewart from HALO Trust said the donation will go a long way in making Zimbabwe landmine free country by year end. We have been operating in Zimbabwe since 2013 and we employ local in areas we operate in. We clear landmines and Zimbabwe is good in clearing land mines.
SOS Children’s Village national director Mr Admire Mukunura said: We have been present in Zimbabwe since 1980 and we look after 700 vulnerable children. We want to thank the Embassy of Japan for the grant and it will go a long way in help the children in communities we operate in.
Chief executive officer of Hand in Hand Zimbabwe Mr Felix Tete said the work with issue to do with socio-economic challenges and building food resilience. We support women and girls in the communities that we operate in and we are grateful to the Embassy for this grant, he said.
Sight Savers country director Mr Peter Bare said their focus was to provide comprehensive eye care service throughout the country. We also support the control of tracomma in the country and economic empowerment of people with disabilities and this grant will improve eye care services in the country, he said.
Other organisations’ representatives also thanked the Embassy for the grants and said they would go a long way in changing lives in communities.