Remarks by H.E. Hiroyuki Kishino, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia
at the 4th Signing Ceremony for GGPs for JFY 2012
at the Embassy of Japan on 7 March, 2013

Respected Partners,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

           Endemen Walachehu.

It is one of the most pleasant duties for me to sign grant contracts for grassroots human security projects (GGPs) with prominent project partners.  This is the fourth signing ceremony for JFY2012, and today five grant contracts for GGPs have been concluded.  One project is for a water supply and the remaining four are all education projects in four regions.  The total amount of funding to be extended is USD 561,801.

First of all, I would like to express my sincere congratulations to our project partners.  All of you are important partners for us in implementing community-based projects in various parts of Ethiopia.

Now, I would like to introduce each project briefly.  The first project is to improve access to safe drinking water in the Ambassel Woreda, South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region.  Our project partner is the Association for Forced Migrant, represented here today by Ato Amanuel Workabeba, Executive Director of the organization.  I am happy that we can work together again for a water supply.

The targeted communities of the project have extremely poor access to safe drinking water with only 27 to 35% population coverage.  The residents rely on unprotected water sources far from their residences.  Women and children have no choice but to undertake the heavy duty of fetching water, walking long distances every day.  Another problem is the risk of water-borne diseases as the sources are unprotected.  This is the reason why the Embassy of Japan decided to recommend this project to Tokyo for approval.

With this project, three springs will be protected to provide safe drinking water with three distribution points through about 2.8 km of pipelines.  Two cattle troughs and a washing basin will also be installed.  As a result, 3,900 residents will benefit, enjoying safe potable water.

The second project is for the expansion of Kulit 2 Primary School in Abeshige Woreda, Gurage Zone, SNNPRS.  Our project partner is the Samaritan Foundation of Destitute Dying, represented here today by Ato Markos Yohannes, Manager of the organization.  This is the second time we are working on a school project together.

The Kulit 2 Primary School was established in 2005 by the local community, which planned to upgrade the school to a full cycle primary school.  However, the school is already overcrowded with about 700 students in six classrooms.  The average number of students per class is over 100.  In addition, there is no space to accommodate 7th and 8th grade students right now.  This is the reason why the Embassy of Japan decided to recommend this project to Tokyo for approval.

This project, therefore, aims to improve access to primary education and the educational environment by constructing two blocks with eight fully furnished classrooms and one block of latrines.  The community is also planning to construct a library and a laboratory.  As a result, 300 additional students will be enrolled for 7th and 8th grade, and the educational environment will be greatly improved as the average number of students per class is expected to be reduced to 60.

The third project is for the expansion of the Duwaw Primary School in Awash Town, Afar Region.  Our project partner is the Duwaw Community Development Organization, represented here today by W/ro Ajebush Ayele, Executive Director of the organization.

The Duwaw Primary School is located in Awash Town, where HIV/AIDS prevails, resulting in many orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs).  The school was founded in 2006 to provide first-cycle primary education for these children free of charge.  However, there is no space to accommodate students beyond the first cycle.  This is the reason why the Embassy of Japan decided to recommend this project to Tokyo for approval.

  Therefore, this project aims to improve access to primary education for OVCs by constructing one block with four fully furnished classrooms and a block of latrines.  The local community plans to construct a library as well.  As a result, the school will be upgraded to a full cycle primary school, and 180 OVC students will be newly enrolled.

The fourth project is for the expansion of the Abiyout Fire Elementary School in Gondar City, Amhara Region. Our project partner is the Education Office of the Gondar City Administration, represented here today by Ato Berihun Alemu, Deputy Head of the Office.

The Abiyout Fire Primary School is located in the centre of Gondar City where many poor migrant families live.  The school was built in 1982.  Some blocks constructed of wood and mud have deteriorated, and much of the school furniture is worn out.  In addition, the school is overcrowded despite gradual expansion by the community’s contribution.  A shift system is in place.  Due partly to their poor educational environment, students’ performance at this school has been the worst in Gondar City.  This is the reason why the Embassy of Japan decided to recommend this project to Tokyo for approval.

With this project, a two-storey school block with ten classrooms will be constructed, and the educational environment will be improved.  Full-day classes will be provided for 7th and 8th grade students.

The fifth project is for the expansion of the Agibe Lower Secondary School, Tanqua Abergele Woreda, Tigray Region.  Our project partner is the Education Bureau of the Tigray Regional Government, represented here today by Ato Geberegziabher Abreha, Deputy Head of the Bureau.

The Agibe Lower Secondary School has 1,020 students in three school blocks with ten classrooms.  However, one classroom is unusable due to termite damage and seven others have deteriorated, being partially open to wind and rain.  In addition, most of the furniture is half-broken.  This is the reason why the Embassy of Japan decided to recommend this project to Tokyo for approval.

This project, therefore, aims to improve the educational environment by constructing a school block with four fully furnished classrooms and a library block with three rooms.  As a result, 480 students will be newly enrolled.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is gratifying for me that these projects will be managed by such respected partners as you in the coming year.  They will be conducive to the empowerment of vulnerable and marginalized people in need and contribute to the economic and social development of the respective communities.

Before I conclude, I would like to remind our project partners that these projects awarded this time should be implemented in a timely manner, with my project coordinators in charge well informed of the progress and changes in plan, if any.  It is also critically important that the benefits of the projects should be enjoyed by people in the respective local communities as this is one of the most significant characteristics of GGPs.

Amesegenalehu.