The Government of Japan provides assistance worth US$298,472 to Kiritimati Urban Council, Tennessee Primary School and St. Francis High School on Kiritimati Island through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Programme.

Grant Contracts formalising Japan’s assistance were signed by the First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Takato Maki, on behalf of the Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Kiribati, His Excellency, Mr. Yutaka Yoshizawa, and the representatives of the respective projects at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday 2nd February, 2011 in Kiritimati, Kiribati.

Details of each project are as follows:

1) The Project for Provision of Garbage Truck to Kiritimati Urban Council

The Government of Japan provides US$100,000.00 for provision of a brand-new Toyota Dyna Truck to the Kiritimati Urban Council. Since the establishment of the council in 2004, the council has been collected garbage from the community areas to keep and maintain cleanliness and hygienic environment on the island. However, the council does not have a proper vehicle for such service, .

2) The Project for Upgrading of Tennessee Primary School

Japan also provides funding assistance of US$106,335.00 for construction of six new
classrooms to Tennessee Primary School. The School was established in 1989 and accommodates 634 children from nearby London. The new classrooms will allow the school Authority to relocate children into permanent classrooms from overcrowded classrooms presently in use and thereby ensuring best of resources for children of this school to excel academically.

3) The Project for Upgrading of St. Francis High School

Japan also provides funding assistance of US$92,137.00 for construction of Ablution block with the proper water system to St. Francis High School. The School is the first school in Kiritimati ever to be established by the local community on the island, which is now enrolled over 100 students in forms 4, 5 and 6.  Since its establishment, the number of students has been increased so has demands.  It is promising that the new toilet with the water supply system will improve the student’s hygiene.

Japan’s assistance to these projects indicates its commitment to contribute to the improvement of the living standards and welfare of people in Kiritimati Island and is in line with its Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy of promoting development at the grassroots level. The GGP programme is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which include health, basic education, water supply, vocational training, sanitary environment and rural infrastructure.

It is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties between the governments and the people of Kiribati and Japan.