An Inauguration ceremony for a project aiming to improve the state of public sanitation in Addis Ababa as well as to promote the socio-economic integration of persons with disabilities, took place on 31 May, 2011. This project was funded by the Japanese government through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme with USD 82,727, and implemented by a local NGO named Yenegew Sew Sanitary Service Cooperation.  Mr. Yoshiaki Ito,　Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia, celebrated the completion of the project, together with Ato Tadege Azeze, the Chairperson of the Yenegew Sew Sanitary Service Cooperation and local government representatives of the Kirkos Sub-city, as well as members of the community. 

Since its establishment in2004, the Yenegew Sew Sanitary Service Cooperation has been engaged in public sanitary services and is already providing employment opportunities for more than 180 blind, deaf, or physically disabled people in Addis Ababa, employing them at the public toilets in 30 different ketemas in Addis Ababa. 

The implemented project aims at providing residents of Addis Ababa with a better public toilet and shower service by improving the service already located in thirty different locations throughout the city.  In this project, water tanks and washing basins were installed to ease the water shortage and sanitation problems.  In addition, hot shower devices were installed and are provided for cheaper fees compared to other facilities of this kind.  Through this project, improvement of the sanitary situation in Addis Ababa is expected, as well as ensuring an employment opportunity for disabled cooperative members by increasing the number of users and source of income.

Mr. Yoshiaki Ito, in his speech at the inauguration ceremony, expressed his profound gratitude to the Yenegew Sew Sanitary Service Cooperation for their deep devotion to the completion of the project. He also stressed that by increasing the social awareness of disability among the community, this project hopefully will promote efforts to eradicate discrimination against persons with disabilities.  Together with better understanding towards persons with disabilities, he said, their social integration will be achieved, and their exclusion from the basic social and economic opportunities will, one-day, be ended. 

On Monday, 30 May 2011, another project that promotes the well-being of disabled people in Nifas Silk-Lafto sub-city was inaugurated. This project which cost USD 88,227 was implemented by the Mekata Disabled Handcrafts and Industry Co-operative Society and Limited Liability. Mr. Yoshinori Kitamura, First Secretary and Head of the Economic Division of the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia, celebrated the completion of the project, together with Ato Amera Gashaw, the Chairperson of Mekata Disabled Handcrafts and Industry Co-operative Society and Limited Liability, along with government representatives of the Nifas Silk-Lafto Sub-city and members of the community. 

Since 1997, the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia has supported over 287 Grassroots Human Security Projects throughout Ethiopia, in education, water, agriculture, health and other areas of basic human needs. The Government of Japan will continue to support a variety of projects at the grassroots level for marginalized and vulnerable people.