DUSHANBE, March 31, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- On March 30, Mr. Takuya Tamai, Third Secretary, Japan’s Embassy in Dushanbe, attended two handover ceremonies for two grass-root projects in Qurghon Teppa, the capital of Khatlon province and Khatlon’s Panj district, Japan’s Embassy said.  The total amount of the two projects is US$169,737.

In Qurghon Teppa, Mr. Tamai together with Qurghon Teppa Mayor Sharifkhon Samiyev and Umar Yorov, head of the Qurghon Teppa Social Rehabilitation Center of Tajikistan’s Blind Society, attended the handover ceremony for the Project for Self-Support Promotion of Visually Impaired Persons in Qurghon Teppa.

The Government of Japan allocated US$74,312 for this project in the framework of Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP).

Established in 1957, the Qurghon Teppa Social Rehabilitation Center has contributed to social welfare among visually impaired persons in the Qurghon Teppa area through various supports such as vocational training.  However, the condition of the facility of the center was in inappropriate with old buildings and little equipment for vocational training.

Through the project, the building of the center has been rehabilitated and new equipment such as sewing machines, computers and generators as well as office furniture was provided.　 The project enabled 112 visually impaired persons in Qurghon Teppa to receive training and to find means of income generation at the center.  Consequently, visually impaired persons will be equipped with ability for self-promotion. At the same time, economic condition of 612 people of their family members will be improved.

In Panj district, Japanese diplomat and Abdujon Tavakalov, acting chairman of Panj district, attended the handover ceremony for the Project for Reconstruction of the Flood Damaged School in Panj District, which was funded by the Government of Japan in the framework of GGP through providing a US$ 95,425 grant.

Constructed in 1980, secondary school No 24 was the only school in the village of Tojiksoi. On May 14, 2009, a heavy mudflow caused by a huge flood washed away the school and destroyed the houses and public facilities in the village.  As a result, local students in the area had to go to school in a neighboring village, which was several kilometers away from Tojiksoi.

In order to improve the situation, the Government of Japan has assisted with construction of a new school building in a safer place which was allocated by the Government of Tajikistan.  In addition, school equipment such as desks and chairs was installed in the school.  Through the project, 350 students from Tojiksoi village have become able to study in the newly constructed school building.  Educational level will be improved by the project, as students will have access to safe and sanitary environment. Ensuring quality education for all children is the vital factor for long-term social development.

Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) is provided to local governments, educational/medical institutions and international NGOs in developing countries.  GGP supports projects in the human security sectors at the grassroots level.  GGP has extended more than US$ 19.3 million for 267 projects in Tajikistan since 1996.