The Government of Japan is offering financial assistance totaling USD 254,083, equivalent to approximately NPR 27,867,823, to ICA Japan under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects scheme. ICA Japan is a NGO based in Japan, which will provide technical and financial support to its partner agency, ICA Nepal, in implementing the project, Renovation of local community learning center for vulnerable people of disaster in Changu Narayan village.

A grant contract relating to this project is scheduled to be signed and exchanged on March 1st at the Embassy of Japan in Nepal between Masashi OGAWA, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal and Shizuyo SATO, Executive Director of ICA Japan. 

According to a press release issued by Embassy of Japan, this grant assistance will be used to renovate the local community-learning center, which was also built by grant assistance from the Japanese government in 2002. The support is intended to improve and strengthen the lives of those in the community who were affected by the earthquake.  The major elements of this program are:

1)      Learning center renovation

The project will involve renovate the learning center and retrofit the walls for strength against future earthquakes.

2)      Community meeting for restoration

The project will invite leaders of Changu Narayan village, VDC, senior citizens, and women’s groups to discuss the short, medium, and long-term plans for community restoration and then submit the plans to the district office.

3)      Psycho-social counseling for children

The project will provide a safe space for children including creating a playground in the learning center and providing counseling services. The place will be a relief for child victims, and promote interaction between mothers and children.

4)      Psycho-social counseling for senior citizens

The project will provide counseling for senior citizens, create a senior citizen’s club, hold gatherings, and provide recreation activities to contribute to the space as a place of relief.

5)      Skill training for low income women

The project will provide skill training of napkin production and marketing training to low-income women who are victims of the earthquake.