ISLAMABAD, Sept 5: Masuda-Nishi Rotary Club (MNRC) of Japan has donated $10,000 to the directorate of special education (ministry of women development, social welfare and special education) for seven institutions located in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The donation was handed over to the directorate at a ceremony held under the auspices of the ministry of women development, social welfare and special education on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Asako Okai, head of economic and development section, embassy of Japan in Pakistan appreciated the cooperation between MNRC and the ministry.

She said Japan had been supporting socio-economic development in Pakistan through soft loans, grants and technical cooperation with education being one of the top priority areas of assistance.

Education was the corner-stone of broad-based economic development and poverty reduction and education for girls and special children was no exception.

“What was great about this ceremony was that Japanese private individuals had also come forward to assist Pakistan’s special education sector”, Ms Asako said.

She thanked Mr Yutaka Ikeuchi and other members of the MNRC for its generosity towards the special community of Pakistan.

She was also appreciative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) which provided technical assistance to Pakistan.

Since 1989 Japan has disbursed about $8.3 million for 172 projects all over Pakistan, out of which 16 projects aimed at improving the special educational facilities and 96 were gender related.

Mr Ikeuchi, head of six member MNRC delegation said, children were future of every country, hence their upbringing was critical be it Pakistan or some other country.

Ms Sadia working as a volunteer with the directorate of special education briefed the gathering about projects which would be undertaken with this donation.

She recalled that in March three members of the team visited Pakistan and were given an introduction on special education institutes in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).