FY2025 NGO Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects “Promoting Basic Education in Meheba Refugee Settlement” D Secondary School Opening Ceremony
2026/10/7
On September 30, 2026, Ambassador Mikami, representing the Government of Japan, attended the opening ceremony of a newly completed secondary school in Block D of the Meheba settlement in the Northwestern Province, under the project for“Promoting Basic Education in Meheba Refugee Settlement”.
The project aims to provide more children in the Meheba Refugee Settlement—both refugees and former refugees—with opportunities to receive secondary education. To celebrate the opening of the new secondary school in Block D, Zambian government officials and representatives of relevant organisations, including Dickson Matembo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, as well as Mr. John Nyakairu, Head of the UNHCR Solwezi Office.
Permanent Secretary Matembo stated that the new secondary school would contribute significantly to empowering children in the area to become self-reliant, as well as to advancing the Government of Zambia’s refugee policy of not only protecting refugees, but also promoting their social and economic inclusion. He expressed his gratitude for the partnership with the Government of Japan and AAR Japan, the NGO implementing the project.
Ambassador Mikami commended Zambia's long-standing generosity in welcoming refugees, and highly appreciated the Government’s progressive efforts to promote the social inclusion of refugees. He also noted that President Hichilema's "Grow Zambia Agenda," launched after his re-election, likewise seeks to promote inclusive growth and improve the livelihoods of all Zambians, and that the initiative in Meheba represents an important step toward achieving these goals. Ambassador Mikami expressed his strong hope that graduates of Meheba D Secondary School will make significant contributions to the development of Zambia in the future and, furthermore, serve as bridges between Japan and Zambia, contributing to the further strengthening of the friendship between the two countries.
The project aims to provide more children in the Meheba Refugee Settlement—both refugees and former refugees—with opportunities to receive secondary education. To celebrate the opening of the new secondary school in Block D, Zambian government officials and representatives of relevant organisations, including Dickson Matembo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, as well as Mr. John Nyakairu, Head of the UNHCR Solwezi Office.
Permanent Secretary Matembo stated that the new secondary school would contribute significantly to empowering children in the area to become self-reliant, as well as to advancing the Government of Zambia’s refugee policy of not only protecting refugees, but also promoting their social and economic inclusion. He expressed his gratitude for the partnership with the Government of Japan and AAR Japan, the NGO implementing the project.
Ambassador Mikami commended Zambia's long-standing generosity in welcoming refugees, and highly appreciated the Government’s progressive efforts to promote the social inclusion of refugees. He also noted that President Hichilema's "Grow Zambia Agenda," launched after his re-election, likewise seeks to promote inclusive growth and improve the livelihoods of all Zambians, and that the initiative in Meheba represents an important step toward achieving these goals. Ambassador Mikami expressed his strong hope that graduates of Meheba D Secondary School will make significant contributions to the development of Zambia in the future and, furthermore, serve as bridges between Japan and Zambia, contributing to the further strengthening of the friendship between the two countries.
Panoramic Photo of the Secondary School
Ambassador's Speech
The Secondary School Classroom Tour
A Scene from the Opening Ceremony
Group Photo
( From left in the front row: Mr. OSHIDARI Kenro, Vice President of AAR Japan; Mr. Chibiya Justin, Principal of Meheba D Secondary School under the Ministry of Education; Mr. Dickson Matembo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security; Ambassador MIKAMI Akiteru; Mr. Grandson Wishikoti Katambi, Permanent Secretary of Northwestern Province; Ms. Brenda Sankisa, Kalumbila District Commissioner; Mr. John Nyakairu, Head of the UNHCR Solwezi Office; behind the Ambassador: Ms. Mutinta Mubanga, Northwestern Province Education Officer under the Ministry of Education)
Meheba D Secondary School Signboard
Ambassador's Speech
The Secondary School Classroom Tour
A Scene from the Opening Ceremony
Group Photo
( From left in the front row: Mr. OSHIDARI Kenro, Vice President of AAR Japan; Mr. Chibiya Justin, Principal of Meheba D Secondary School under the Ministry of Education; Mr. Dickson Matembo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security; Ambassador MIKAMI Akiteru; Mr. Grandson Wishikoti Katambi, Permanent Secretary of Northwestern Province; Ms. Brenda Sankisa, Kalumbila District Commissioner; Mr. John Nyakairu, Head of the UNHCR Solwezi Office; behind the Ambassador: Ms. Mutinta Mubanga, Northwestern Province Education Officer under the Ministry of Education)
Meheba D Secondary School Signboard