November 17, 2011
Japan’s Assistance for the Project for Prevention and Reduction of Child Labors in the Restaurants in the Kathmandu Valley
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The Government of Japan has decided to extend financial assistance of JP��9,256,159 (approximately USD117,959 or NRS.10,000,000), to Shapla Neer - Citizens’ Committee in Japan for Overseas in Japan’s Fiscal Year 2011 under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects scheme of the Government of Japan. Shapla Neer - Citizens’ Committee in Japan for Overseas (Shapla Neer) will implement the Project for the Prevention and Reduction of Child Labor in the Restaurants of the Kathmandu Valley in coordination with the District Education Offices and one local NGO, Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre (CWIN-NEPAL).
The Grant Contract relating to this Project was signed and exchanged today between H.E. Mr. Kunio TAKAHASHI, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Ms. Hiromi KATSUI, Country Representative of Shapla Neer - Nepal Office.
Shapla Neer commenced its work, focusing on people’s empowerment in Nepal in 1994. In the past 15 years of activities in Nepal, the organization has supported various fields as such poverty alleviation through income generating, disaster preparedness activities, and protection of child rights.
The organization’s research was focused towards working children, specially in restaurants in the Kathmandu Valley from 2004. This included awareness campaigns and improving working children’s environment through such things as supporting their formal/ non-formal education and offering health/ sanitation service support. Focus was given to these things in past programs also and was implemented under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects scheme of the Government of Japan. Through its dedicated activities, the organization came to realize that it is time to strengthen Nepal’s local government for its role, responsibilities and capabilities to prevent and reduce child labor. Therefore, one of the major components of the current project is to help set up a Monitoring Unit within the municipality offices of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur Municipalities. The project includes strengthening human resources development of municipality officers to look after the Monitoring Unit through working together with CWIN-NEPAL staff for one year. Targeted officers are expected to absorb know-how and experience from CWIN-NEPAL staff and be independent enough to sustain all activities continuously on their own in the future. Also heavy awareness campaigns will take place through media such as TV, radio, CM, and advertising, as well as direct posting of posters in restaurants. It is believed that through the monitoring activities by municipalities and the information provided through media, positive information can reach each child at their work place.
Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Mr. Kunio TAKAHASHI expressed his belief that the Project, as one of Japan’s contributions to Nepal to ensure the protection of working children and an improvement in their environment, could further strengthen the friendly relationship between Japan and Nepal.
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