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In 2025, we shared the news of a historic grant agreement between the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania and So They Can, made possible under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP/Kusanone). Today, we’re proud to share that the project is complete. On 2nd July 2026, an official Handover Ceremony was held at Orng’adida Primary School. The First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania Mr. Hashimoto Jin handed over the project to the Babati District Council, in attendance were Hon. Daniel Sillo (Babati DC MP), Hon. John Noya (Babati DC Chairperson), Ms Anna Mbogo (Babati District Executive Director), community members of Orng’adida and Qash, teachers and students.

With a grant of USD 109,203 (TZS 269,285,395) from the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania, So They Can Tanzania has delivered:

• A new classroom block with three fully furnished classrooms, with 60 student desks and 3 teacher desks and chairs;
• New toilet blocks for boys, girls, and teachers, including assistive toilets for children and teachers with special needs, a girls’s changing room and handwashing stations in each toilet block;
• Two water towers to hold two 5,000L water tanks each.

These new facilities support learning, teaching and sanitation for 1,008 children (503 girls; 505 boys) currently enrolled at the school.

Nine months ago we stood at the signing of this project agreement and called it a miracle. Today, seeing children learning in these classrooms and using safe, clean facilities, that word still feels right. On behalf of the Orng’adida Primary School and the whole Babati District Community, thank you to the Government and people of Japan. Roselyne Mariki, Country Manager So They Can Tanzania.

We’re deeply grateful to the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania for their trust and partnership, and to everyone at Orng’adida Primary School who welcomed this project into their community. Through So They Can’s Education Program, the school will continue to receive the support needed to make the most of these new facilities. This investment will serve Orng’adida’s children for years to come.

Orng’adida Primary School students expressed their gratitude at the handover ceremony. They welcomed Mr. Hashimoto and the guests with a sweet ‘Turtle Melonpan,’ baked using a Japanese recipe, and performed a karate demonstration to celebrate the new bond between Japan and Orng’adida.

Announcement on the project completion was also reported by the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania.