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1. The Embassy of Japan in India, under its scheme ‘Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects’, today decided to extend grant assistance totalling US$ 162,116 (approximately equivalent to Rs.69 lacs) to two Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to support their projects for upgrading medical service for slums and constructing a centre for street children. The NGOs and projects receiving the Grants are as follows:
(i) Rural Health Organisation has been working to provide primary health care service for those who live in West Imphal area under poverty, since its establishment in 1986. So far, the organization has run one health centre, which received 80,000 patients in total, and also trained rural health workers selected among villagers. Despite all the efforts that the organization has made to provide medical service by lower price, shortage of space only allows receiving limited numbers of patients.
To provide primary medical service to more underprivileged people as well as efficient training for health workers, the organization decided to construct a new facility. Realizing its need, the Embassy of Japan decided to grant them a sum of US$82,640 for the project.
(ii) Rajasthan Mahila Kalyan Mandal has been providing education and rehabilitation to challenged children at Ajmer District in Rajasthan since 1975. The organization provides home counselling besides running two schools, which cover about 500 children. However, more proper hostel rooms are needed for those who have difficulties to attend school daily because of serious physical conditions, or long distanced residents.
In order to provide education and rehabilitation to more numbers of children, the organisation requires a hostel which will be able to give effective care to each child, and to accommodate more needy children. The Embassy of Japan therefore decided to grant them assistance of US$ 79,476 for the project.
2. The Signing Ceremony to formalize the arrangements is scheduled to take place at 1600 hrs., on Monday, 7th July 2008, at the Embassy of Japan, between H.E. Mr. Hideaki Domichi, Ambassador of Japan to India, and the representatives of the above NGOs.
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. The Embassy of Japan and the Consulates General of Japan in Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai are in charge of this scheme in their respective regions.
4. For further information, please contact Mr. Hisashi Sakata, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan, Telephone No.2687-6564.
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