Mr. Yasuhiko Kamada, Chargé d’affaires ad interim of Japan to Tonga along with His Eminence Soane Patita Cardinal Mafi were present at the ceremony. Mr. Soane Vahe, Director of the Catholic Education Office also attended the event together with Monsignor Lutoviko Finau, Vicar General and Parish Priest of the Nuku’alofa Parish, the Parents and Teachers’ Association as well as the students of St. Francis of Assisi Primary School.
The Project was formalized in March this year, with a grant amount of USD$73,965 to fund constructing of a new classroom building with two rooms and a new toilet block for the Primary School.
His Eminence Cardinal Mafi expressed his appreciation for the assistance from the people and Government of Japan, benefiting the students of St. Francis of Assisi. The Cardinal noted the growing relations between the school and Japan, evident in the soroban competitions where student from St. Francis of Assisi were always successfully and winning prices. The Primary School is located at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church compound in Nuku’alofa, with around 230 students.
Japan’s GGP was introduced in 1990 to respond directly to the basic human needs at the grass-roots level communities. Over 260 GGP project have been implemented in Tonga and throughout its island groups. These assistance epitomized Japan’s commitment to support efforts by the people and the Government of Tonga to ensure Human Security and continue to enrich the existing warm and close relations between the people and the Government of Japan and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.
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