Japan funds MMS bus

Majuro Middle School Principal Alvin Simon and Japan Ambassador Norio Saito show off a mock check for a grant to fund a new school bus for the Majuro school. Japan Embassy, Public School System headquarters, and MMS staff look on. Photo: Wilmer Joel.

Japan Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Norio Saito and the Principal of Majuro Middle School Alvin Simon signed a grant contract for the “Procurement of School Bus Service System of Majuro Middle School” just before Christmas.

The grant amount of up to $77,400 is funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The ceremony was witnessed by Cassiano Jetnil, Associate Commissioner for Property and Maintenance Public School System, Sallyann deBrum, Associate Commissioner for Finance, and Joana Anuntak, Vice Principal of Majuro Middle School

Majuro Middle School has been facing difficulties in providing students residing at distant areas with transportation since the school has no school bus. Through the Japan project, students have access to bus transportation between school and their homes, which will contribute to improving the educational environment for students as well as for school. Saito stated that the government and people of Japan are happy to contribute to safely transporting students.

The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1996, to respond to development needs of grassroots activities with schools, hospitals, local governments and NGOs in the RMI.
As of December 2019, the Embassy has granted 150 GGP in the RMI.


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