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Four organisations, namely M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (Chennai), HelpAge India (Chennai), Mitra Jyothi (Bangalore) and The Dale View (Trivandrum) received grants from the Government of Japan for their projects to uplift the lives of the disadvantaged.
In a contract signing ceremony at the Consulate-General of Japan recently in Chennai, contracts were signed between Yoshiaki Kodaki, Consul General of Japan, and the representatives of four NGOs - M Velayudham (M S Swaminathan Research Foundation), Indrani Rajadurai (He1pAge India), C Christdus (The Dale View) and Madhu Singhal
(Mitra Jyothi).
Details of the grants:
M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF): Amount: $ 87,812: The Japanese assistance has been sought for a proj ect to construct a facilitation centre in Waynad District, Kerala, where MSSRF undertakes a number of activities including natural resource management and livelihood improvement for tribal farmers and biodiversity conservation. The new facilitation centre will provide space for conducting large-scale training programmes and counselling for farmers, as well as short stay home and ICT facilities for tribal community members in general. A vehicle will also be purchased with the grant.
HelpAge India (HA): Amount: $ 69,273: HA Southern Region is actively involved in extending mobile medicare services, counselling and rehabilitation to the elders, and the Japanese funds will provide vehicles, furniture and equipment for the organisation's regional offices in the four southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kamataka, Andhra Pradesh and
Kerala.
The Dale View: Amount: $ 89,775: The Dale View runs a de-addiction centre for patients addicted to alcohol and drugs. Since the current facility is old and inadequate, the organisation is going to build a new hospital with upgraded facilities including private counselling rooms and separate stay rooms for male/female by-standers as well as an ambulance. As the sole hospital dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, the new hospital is expected to contribute to the well-being of the patients and their families in and around Thiruvananthapuram district.
Mitra Jyothi: Amount: $ 88,417: Mitra Jyothi provides independent skill training to visually impaired women at the organisation's existing training centre in Bangalore. The Japanese funds will enable Mitra Jyothi to add residential and dining facilities to the centre, which will enhance the accessibility of the ongoing training programme. Kitchen equipment and a vehicle for the transportation of trainees will also be purchased with the grant.
The Japanese grant, formally called the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP), is an official assistance scheme funded by the Government of Japan. The mission of GGP is to encourage initiative, participation and ownership of the local community in sustainable self-help efforts in improving their socio-economic situation.
The GGP provides infrastructure support by entering into partnership with voluntary organisations and local government authorities requiring critical support. The GGP supports more than 1,000 projects per annum in developing countries around the globe.
In the four southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, the Consulate-General of Japan has, with the approval of the Government of India, supported nearly 80 projects since the GGP was started in 1989, covering wide-ranging areas including primary health care, education and women empowerment.
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