GGF teams up with APIC for support of water security in Sapwuafik
The Micronesian Conservation Trust received funds from the Global Greengrants Fund (GGF) ($5,000) and the Japan Association for Promotion of International Cooperation (APIC) ($10,000) to support their El Niño and drought recovery efforts on the island of Sapwuafik, Pohnpei FSM. Sapwuafik was selected by MCT and the two donor agencies because it is one of the most populated atolls in the FSM and needs much support. (FSM’s 2010 Census lists the population of Sapwuafik at 456). Also, the Mayor of Sapwuafik, the Hon. Kapino Neior, is a very progressive leader and has been actively seeking assistance from various organizations to support the people on his island, so his efforts were rewarded with the funding of these grants.

(Roseo Marquez of MCT stands with Sapuafik Mayor Neior in front of tanks sponsored by the GGF and APIC)

The project's aim is focused on water and food security. The municipal government has used some of the grant funds to buy 8 water tanks that will be placed in strategic areas around Sapwuafik Island to catch rainwater and ensure access by all the island's residents. The tanks have a singular capacity of 1500 gallons and a combined 12,000 gallons of water can now be stored. The municipal government will also use some of the funds to help them rehabilitate/improve some of the taro pits on Sapwuafik which were severely affected during the recent El Nino drought.

The work of Mayor Neior shows that communities that are actively seeking assistance for projects to improve the quality of life in their communities have options for fulfilling their dreams. As the old US proverb go, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease”, so we encourage communities with good projects in mind to seek assistance for them and help improve the quality of life for the residents of your community.

(APIC) is engaged in various development cooperation projects for the purpose of promoting international cooperation and deepening mutual understanding between Japan and various countries.

Specifically, APIC is engaged in these following activities.

1. Supporting development cooperation projects in the Pacific Island Region
2. Supporting development cooperation projects in the Caribbean Region
3. Organizing lecture meetings regarding global issues
4. Organizing social meetings regarding international cooperation 5. Training young generations interested in international cooperation Global Greengrants Fund is a charitable foundation that makes small grants to grassroots environmental causes around the world. These funds are used to support community-based groups outside the United States and Western Europe working on issues of environmental justice, sustainability, and conservation. Since its establishment in 1993, Global Greengrants Fund has made over 5,000 grants in 129 countries, giving a total of over $20 million.
At the end of the dinner, Mr. Sakamoto expressed his appreciation for the dinner. Ms. Mary Helen Mori and Ms. Risa Oue, both scholarship students at the Sophia University, each presented a bouquet.

Through this opportunity, the participants recognized the importance of developing human resources in Micronesia in terms of promoting the international exchange of Japan and Micronesia.