THE Government of Japan, under its Grassroot Human Security Project, on Friday pumped US$290,000 into three local non-governmental organisations to develop their infrastructural capacity, and enhance their skills training programme targeting primarily vulnerable youths.

The beneficiaries are Habitat For Humanity Guyana Ltd, the Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre Inc, and the Special Needs For Life Inc.

The financial assistance reflects the flourishing relations between the Government of Guyana and the Government of Japan.

A sum of US$100,684 has been awarded to Habitat For Humanity for construction of the Habitat for Humanity Resource Centre in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The grant came at a time when the charitable organisation is celebrating its 20th Anniversary here.

Speaking at the signing that took place at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Japan Embassy’s First Secretary, Takaaki Kato said, “We are delighted to be part of your journey, and support the invaluable work you do in providing not only low cost housing to individuals, but also your involvement in critical initiatives such as this project.”

Under the Japanese grant, the Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre Inc has been awarded US$90,373 to fund a project entitled “The Project for Renovating the Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre”.

The church, for the past 20 years, has actively contributed to the educational and social skills development of the youth and adults of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). The grant will enable the church to improve efficiency and offer a more effective service to the community through the fulfillment of its objectives.

US$99,142 given to the Special Needs for Life Inc will be used for construction of the Bina Hill Indigenous Youth Skills Training Centre, which is geared at empowering and motivating the youth of the North Rupununi District to further develop their skills and educational requirements, to prepare them for gainful employment.
Proud to support
“The Government of Japan recognises the importance of developmental growth and educational stability within communities, and is very proud to contribute to the betterment of individuals’ lives through the Government of Japan Grant Assistance for Grass-root Human Security Projects (GGP). I have no doubt, therefore, that these projects truly address ‘basic human needs’; and we are very pleased that we can assist all three organisations with their noble objectives through the GGP,” First Secretary Kato said.

The two Governments have long enjoyed and benefitted from their friendly relations, actively cooperating in international fora and exchanging and sharing opinions on many important issues.
The Japanese diplomat said the signing of the grants is a demonstration of the strong bilateral relations between the two nations, not only through inter-governmental interactions, but also through cooperative efforts on a community-based grassroots-level.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett also said the occasion is testimony to the excellent relations between the two countries. She noted that it has borne fruit in many different ways.

The Japanese Government has assisted in the construction of the Caricom Headquarters, the New Amsterdam Hospital, the Corriverton Water Supply Project, and the ongoing East Demerara Water Conservancy Project. Volunteers are also working in Guyana at several different agencies and Ministries.

Rodrigues-Birkett pointed out that Guyana is a developing country, and while it has enjoyed eight years of consecutive growth, there is still a lot more to be done.

On this note, the Foreign Affairs Minister said assistance from the Japanese Government is always welcome, and she emphasised that her government highly values its relationship with Japan, as Japan lives up to all its promises.

“But let me also say that key to nation building is also the efforts of pro-development, pro-people non-governmental organisations, and it is for this reason I want to congratulate the people that are here today, the grant recipients…. Perhaps one might even want to say that they are unsung heroes in more ways than one. They go about doing their work, and we will probably read about it now and again, but they do very significant work,” the Minister said.

She said the money allocated to the three organisations will go a far way in helping to build a better Guyana. She noted that she is extremely pleased that the projects are focusing on youth.

Young people make up a significant number of the population, with approximately 40 per cent of the population being below age 40.

“So we have quite a young population, so the more opportunities we create for our youth, I think the better it is for our country,” Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said.

The signing of the grants was also witnessed by Guyana’s Honorary Consul General to Japan, Mr Kashir Khan, and Foreign Affairs Ministry Director General, Mrs Elizabeth Harper.