Japan has availed approximately US$98,244 towards the construction of classroom blocks, an ablution facility and teachers’ accommodation at Tanaka Primary School in Mbire District, Mashonaland Central Province.
Speaking at the signing ceremony yesterday, Japan’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Nobutaka Maekawa, said the programme prioritised community-driven initiatives that directly addressed local needs.
“Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, known as GGP, or Kusanone in Japanese, has a distinctive character among the various forms of assistance provided by the Government of Japan.
This is because GGP adopts a bottom-up approach, supporting projects that respond directly to the needs of local communities at grassroots level,” he said.
Maekawa said community ownership was critical to ensuring the successful implementation and sustainability of development projects.
“I firmly believe that such locally driven initiatives foster a strong sense of ownership among the people to be served under this GGP. This ownership is an important factor in the successful implementation and sustainability of projects,” he said.
The ambassador revealed that 167 projects had been implemented across Zimbabwe since the GGP programme was launched in 1989, with many continuing to improve lives in their respective communities.
“Tanaka Primary School project had been selected from more than 30 applications following a rigorous screening process.
Established by World Vision International Zimbabwe in 2022, Tanaka Primary School was intended to improve access to education in Ward 10 of Mbire District. However, shortages of classroom space have prevented the school from enrolling Grade Six and Seven pupils, forcing them to travel more than seven kilometres to attend other schools,” the Ambassador added.
Maekawa urged stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability in implementing the project.
“Japan remains committed to supporting grassroots initiatives that improve people’s lives and contribute to the development of Zimbabwe,” he said.
The funding, provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), will be implemented by World Vision International Zimbabwe.
