Six Japanese have arrived in Samoa to continue to make a difference in the lives of ordinary citizens.

The newest Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteers are here for the next two years and are ready to undertake their placements.

Four members of the new batch will assist in teaching Mathematics and Science to pre-selected schools around Upolu. A Soccer Coach will also assist with the Football Federation of Samoa and a Dental Hygienist to help at National Health Service’s, Dental Division. 

The volunteers are: Dental Division, NHS, Naomichi Abe - Moata’a Primary School, Akihiko Nakai - Laulii Primary School, Tomonori Sugiyama - Football Federation of Samoa, Nao Hara - Leulumoega Primary School and Satoru Matsubara - Aana No. 2 College.

The volunteers expressed their eagerness to make a positive difference in sharing their various skills and knowledge, as well as their excitement in learning a new language, Samoa’s unique culture and making new local friends.  

An exchange through courtesy visits with officials from Japan’s Embassy in Samoa, Public Service Commission and the Aid Coordination Division of the Ministry of Finance, presented further awareness to each volunteer on how important their role and contribution plays towards Samoa’s development, in addition to continuing closer relationships between the two countries.

As part of the Japanese Government’s Technical Cooperation program, JICA volunteers are dispatched to developing nations to provide assistance in their specialized fields of expertise. 

To date, 650 volunteers have served in Samoa with 27 volunteers currently serving in both Upolu and Savaii islands.  

Other Japanese experts and consultants are here to assist through another of JICA’s Grant Aid (Large Scale) program.

Following completion of the JICA volunteer’s in-country orientation program, they officially start working with their host organisations from 4th March 2019.