An Inauguration ceremony for the project to expand the Liqa School and the Sore Homba Primary School in the Wolaitta Zone, SNNPRS was held on 14 September, 2013. The projects were funded by the Japanese Grant-in-aid Scheme for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), amounting to USD 111,203. The implementing partner for the project was the Wolaitta Development Association. H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki KISHINO, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia, celebrated the completion of the project, together with H.E. Wro. Roman Tesfaye, First Lady, officials from the SNNPRS and the Wolaita Zone, as well as members of the local communities.

    Through this project, the secondary school facilities at the Liqa School in Soddo town (originally built by the GGP fund) were expanded. Therefore, one block with two fully furnished classrooms, one library block and a block of latrines have been newly constructed at the Liqa School. As a result, about 160 students from poor families now have access to secondary education.

    As part of the project, the Sore Homba Primary School in Boloso Sore Woreda was also expanded. Around 2,000 students used to study in 11 classrooms, and the number of students per class was over 90. One school block with four fully furnished classrooms and a block of latrines have been built at the school. As a result, the number of students per class is now reduced to 67.

  
    During the Inauguration Ceremony, H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki KISHINO expressed his congratulations when handing over the newly built school blocks with school furniture to the communities. His Excellency also appreciated the long working relationship with the Wolaitta Development Association. He expressed his hope that the community would enjoy great benefits by making the most use of these newly built and furnished schools building. He also emphasized, “It is equally important to maintain the facilities in good condition so that the schools would serve the local interests for many years to come.”

    Japan’s GGP in Wolaitta dates back to 2002 when the Embassy extended the first grant for the Baqlo Sanyo Primary School project.  Then, Japan funded another five school projects in the Wolaita Zone one by one (the Suke Bakala Primary School, the Yukara Primary School, the Soddo Primary School, the Bitena Primary School, and the Zebo School).  The Liqa School and Sore Homba Primary School project marks the seventh GGP project in the zone.

 
    The GGP scheme was first introduced in 1989, and thus it has a history of about 24 years to date. In Ethiopia, since 1997, over 330 projects have been implemented under this scheme in such sectors as education, water supply, health services, and other basic human needs.  

15 September, 2013
Addis Ababa