Phnom Penh: The Government of Japan has agreed to provide USD 90,640 for the National Institute of Physical Education and Sport under the framework, the Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects “KUSANONE” Cultural Grant, and USD 25,534 for Stung Treng Provincial Department of Education, Youth and Sport under the framework, the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects “KUSANONE” Grant.
The Grant Contracts were signed between H.E. Mr. MIKAMI Masahiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the representatives of the two recipients respectively, to carry out the following projects.
1. The Project of Developing 8-lane Running Track at National Institute of Physical Education and Sport (USD 90,640)
Recipient: National Institute of Physical Education and Sport (NIPES)
In this project, 8-lane running track will be constructed at the National Institute of Physical Education and Sport (NIPES). NIPES is the only institute to train physical education teachers for secondary school and plays an important role in developing physical education in Cambodia. However, there is no running track at NIPES and thus the teacher trainees are forced to use running tracks at other athletic fields in the distance or on traffic roads for classes and exams, which causes some problems such as high risks of traffic accidents and unfair condition of exams. Through this project, around 400 teacher trainees and teachers at NIPES as well as 938,000 students from neighboring schools will be able to use the new running track for exams and other sports events and have access to better physical education.
2. The Project for Constructing Hand Washing Stations in 6 Schools at Western Part of Stung Treng Province (USD 25,534)
Recipient: Stung Treng Provincial Department of Education, Youth, and Sport
In this project, hand washing stations and water tanks will be constructed at 6 schools in Thala Barivat district and Siem Bouk district in Stung Treng Province. Despite COVID-19 revealing the importance of hand hygiene to prevent the spread of disease, many schools in the region do not have access to appropriate handwashing facilities and clean water, which may put the students at risk of diarrheal disease and pneumonia. This project will improve sanitation and hygiene for about 840 students and 40 teachers at the 6 schools in the area and will help prevent contagious diseases including COVID-19.
These assistances are based on the commitment of the co-chair’s statement of 13th Mekong-Japan foreign minister’s meeting on 9 July 2020 which says “Implementing approximately 91 million USD worth Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Project in FY 2020 as KUSANONE Mekong SDGs initiative, aimed at supporting the social and economic development of local communities and villages across the Mekong region”.
Japan’s “KUSANONE” Cultural Projects directly support the implementation of cultural, sports, and higher education projects and preservation of cultural heritage projects conducted by non-profit organizations that are active at the grass-roots level in developing countries. Also, Japan’s “KUSANONE” Projects started in Cambodia in 1991 in order to support Cambodia’s reconstruction and development at the grassroots level. The assistance aims to protect those who are vulnerable due to various factors such as poverty and/or misfortunes that directly threaten their lives, livelihood, and dignity, as well as to promote the self-reliance of local communities. Since 1991, the Government of Japan has provided over USD 63 million for mainly local authorities and non-governmental organizations to implement 642 KUSANONE projects throughout Cambodia.
In an effort to contain the current “COVID-19 Community Outbreak,” known as the “February 20th Community Event,” both sides signed the grant contracts separately.
Source & Photo by Embassy of Japan in Cambodia
