ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: The Japanese government has extended a grant of $72,740 (Rs4.2 million) to Health Oriented Preventive Education (Hope), an NGO, in order to assist the latter in its project for the expansion of Zia Colony Hope School in Korangi, Karachi.

In this regard, Japanese Ambassador Minoru Shibuya signed the grant contract here on Friday, said a press release. The project aims at expansion of the existing multipurpose community centre which caters to the needs of some 80,000 local residents.

The existing community centre was constructed through Japan's previous grant of $74,097. It houses a 15-bed hospital, a sewing and embroidery vocational training centre for women and a four-room primary and middle school up to class-7 that provides education to nearly 250 children. After the construction of a new building, the school will be upgraded to secondary level and will accommodate some 500 students.