1. The Embassy of Japan in India, under its scheme ‘Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects’, today decided to extend grant assistance totaling US$70,376 (approximately equivalent to Rs.32 lacs) to Food for Life, to support their primary school construction. The recipient and projects receiving the Grants as follows:

Food for Life has been working to provide education for girls at Virindavan in U.P. since its establishment in 2002. The organization requires the new school building in order to expand the opportunities for girls who are illiterate and living below the poverty line.

2. The Signing Ceremony to formalize the arrangements is scheduled to take place at 1100 hrs, on Friday, 12 March, 2010, at the Embassy of Japan, between H.E. Mr. Hideaki DOMICHI, Ambassador of Japan to India, and the representatives of the above NGO.

3. The scheme of ‘Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects’ was introduced by the Government of Japan in 1989, to provide timely assistance directly to the activities of NGOs promoting welfare of the people in developing countries. Projects eligible for the grant assistance include such fields as primary healthcare, primary education, care of the handicapped people, poverty alleviation, enhancing status of women, public welfare, environment protection, etc.

4. For further information, please contact Mr. Goki Inada, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan. Telephone No.2687-6564.