Japan’s KUSANONE project for improving education for children with disabilities in Cairo's Manial closes

Ahram Online , Monday 30 Oct 2023

Japanese Ambassador to Egypt Oka Hiroshi witnessed the successful culmination of the Japanese grassroots grant assistance (KUSANONE) project on 25 October.

Japanese ambassador Oka Hiroshi with Sameh Fouad, Chairman of Al-Malak Al-Kebly Charity Association opening Al-Manial renovated school

The initiative aimed to create a safe and nurturing educational environment for children with disabilities in the Al-Manial area. It was carried out by the Al-Malak Al-Kebly Charity Association, with a grant of approximately US$99,000.

This project falls under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (KUSANONE), which involves providing direct and modest financial support to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in local communities.

The project has improved the educational environment in the Al-Manial area. It involved the renovation of an intellectual education primary school facility, which, in turn, expanded its capacity to accommodate more students in a safer setting. Furthermore, it enabled the school to offer a curriculum that aligns with national standards for primary intellectual education programmes, encompassing subjects such as music and art education.

During the ceremony, Sameh Fouad, chairman of the Al-Malak Al-Kebly Charity Association, and other speakers expressed their heartfelt gratitude for Japan's assistance in supporting the children in the Al-Manial area.

Ambassador Oka underscored the crucial role of civil society in Egypt's educational development and conveyed his deep respect for the contributions of Egyptian NGOs in listening to the voices of local residents and identifying their actual needs and demands.

He also reiterated his commitment to provide support to Egypt through the implementation of the KUSANONE. The programme's overarching goal is to create a world where no one is left behind, where everyone can live with peace of mind, and to promptly extend a helping hand to every individual in every corner, the ambassador added.

The project provides direct and small-scale financial support to NGOs in local communities.

Japan has extended approximately $10 million to Egypt since 1994, supporting 176 projects countrywide in a range of sectors including education, health, water and sanitation, vocational training, women empowerment and special needs support.