JAPAN EXTENDS FINANCIAL AID TO TWO NGOs

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- The Japanese Government will extend
financial aid to two Kuala Lumpur-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme.

The NGOs are Society of Families of Persons with Learning Difficulties
(Perkobp) and Alumni Look East Policy Society (Aleps).

The grant contract between the embassy and the NGOs was signed Thursday.

In a statement Friday, the embassy said the Japanese Government donated
US$92,307 (RM300,000) to Perkobp under the 'Project for Construction of
Building for Persons with Learning Difficulties' to construct a new building.

As Perkobp offered assistance and training to families in caring for about
50 people with learning difficulties, the donation would help the society to
improve the standard of sheltered workshop, care and living environment for
persons with learning difficulties, it added.

Meanwhile, US$6,209 (RM20,180) will be donated to Aleps under the "Project
for Purchasing Used-Wheelchairs for Children" for transportation charge of used-
wheelchairs for children.

"Aleps is an alumni association of students of Japanese universities based
on the Look East Policy and supports Malaysia-Japan exchange programs.

"Aleps, in its activities, also runs a project of lending used-wheelchairs
from Japan for children in need, as part of Malaysia-Japan exchange programmes,"
it said.

With this donation, Aleps would be able to expand such project by importing
about 100 wheelchairs from Japan, it added.

Since 1989, the Japanese Government has extended about RM10 million (uS$2.94
million) to NGOs and local governments in Malaysia under its Grant Assistance
for Grassroots Human Security Project Scheme to contribute to many small but
socially important projects at the grassroots-level.
-- BERNAMA