On January 29, 2013, a group of Japanese students who were affected by the Earthquake in 2011 is going to visit Maria Clara High School (MCHS) in Caloocan City, aspiring to show how steadily Japan is recovering and to express their appreciation for the support from the Philippine people.
The students are from Shir o ishi Technical High School , located in Miyagi Prefecture, one of the most severely damaged areas by Great East Japan Earthquake that hit Japan on March 11, 2011.
The group , consisting of 14 high school students , is visiting the Philippines from January 24 to February 1 under the Y outh-Exchange Project with Asia-Oceania and North America, a program aim ing to promote Japan's disaster recovery and strengthen its kizuna (bond) with the international society.
MCHS has been recently funded by the Japanese government for its new classroom building . The project, amounting to US$ 208,219 (approximately 9 million pesos), was implemented through the Embassy of Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The project consists of construction of a two-storey, ten-classroom school building with provisions for chair desks for students, and desks and chairs for teachers. The turn-over ceremony was held on July 25, 2012, joined by Department of Education (DepED) Secretary Armin A. Luistro. The project benefits around 2,600 students by improving the learning environment and contributes to the enhancement of the public education system in the country.
MCHS is going to make a presentation about the school, followed by the Shiroishi students' presentation about the Earthquake and their recovery from it. After that, the Shiroishi students are going to be given a school tour.
Right after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Philippine government quickly sent a series of emergency aid to Miyagi Prefecture and other affected areas, consisting of food, towels, mattresses, and masks. The Philippines also dispatched a medical team to the affected areas including Miyagi.
The Ribbon Cutting at the the Turn-over Ceremony for Maria Clara High School (MCHS) ,
from left to right, Dr. Luz A. Almeda, Director of DepEd-NCR , Department of Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro ,
Hon. Mary Mitzi Gajayon, Representative, 2 nd District of Caloocan , Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri,
Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe and Councilor Ricojudge “RJ” Echiverri.
Teachers and Students, particularly first and second year students, benefit on the newly constructed two-storey, ten classroom building for Maria Clara High School (MCHS) under the Embassy of Japan's Grant Assi s tance for Grassroots Human Security Project or GGP.
