The Project for Provision of Vision and Hearing Screener to Maldives Autism Association in Hulhumale Island, Kaafu Atoll

 

      Japan provides a grant for “The Project for Provision of Vision and Hearing Screener to Maldives Autism Association in Hulhumale Island, Kaafu Atoll” under Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects scheme
 

 

      Malé, December 12, 2019 The Government of Japan has committed a grant of USD 41,133 (equivalent to MVR 616,995) for “The Project for Provision of Vision and Hearing Screener to Maldives Autism Association in Hulhumale Island, Kaafu Atoll” under its Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme. 

 

      The Grant Contract was signed between Her Excellency Ms. Keiko Yanai, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, and Dr. Ismail Shafeeu, Chief Executive Officer of Maldives Autism Association.

 

      This Project will be implemented by the Maldives Autism Association. The project funds for the procurement of one visual screener and one hearing screener, as well as a training workshop. The equipment enables identification of visual / hearing impairment and allows early intervention to mitigate disabilities derived from impairment. With these screeners, the visual screening can be conducted from 6 months old and hearing screening can be conducted for new born babies. 

 

      The GGP scheme is part of the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) implemented by the Embassy of Japan in Maldives in order to empower the people at the grassroots level. The GGP in Maldives has been widely implemented in areas such as education, environment, health, transportation and energy since 1996. To date, 16 projects have been implemented under this scheme, which exceeds USD 1.6 million in total value, and most recently a grant contract was signed on October 24, 2019 for provision of a minibus to Fiyavathi in Hulhumale.