New Japanese volunteers arrive in Sri Lanka

Two new Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) arrived in Sri Lanka on August 12, marking the 40th anniversary of the JICA Volunteer Program in the country, JICA stated in a press release.

This also marks the recommencement of the volunteer program after two years and four months of halted operations due to the Easter Sunday attack in April 2019 and the COVID pandemic situation which followed when volunteers here returned to Japan, JICA said.

A JICA release further said: “JICA’s volunteer program dispatches eager Japanese citizens who wish to participate in assisting developing countries with economic and social development, deepening mutual understanding and building trust with various communities with different cultural background across the world at grassroots level.

Since the introduction of the program in 1981, exactly 1,149 JICA volunteers have served in Sri Lanka up until now. All these volunteers undergo prior training in the languages of their host countries, and with regard to Sri Lanka, they conduct their activities in Sinhala or Tamil, depending on the region they are assigned to.”

“The two Japanese volunteers who arrived in Sri Lanka to resume the JOCV program, will be providing services in their specific fields of expertise namely; Western Music Education and Baseball coaching in the Colombo district. The volunteers will be attached to institutions coming under the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth and Sports respectively, and will serve for a period of 5 months, which can be extended as per the request of the Sri Lankan government.”

“The new Japanese volunteers were introduced to their host organizations at an assigning ceremony, which was held online on the 31st of August, in connection with the Department of External Resources (ERD). The occasion was graced by officials representing the ERD, JICA and the host organizations. After the assigning, the two volunteers have started their work online, from the 1st of September, in their respective Sri Lankan host organizations.”

“Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the executing agency of Japan’s Bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA). JICA, the world biggest bilateral aid agency, works in over 150 countries and regions. In accordance with its vision of “Inclusive and Dynamic Development,” JICA supports the resolution of development issues in developing countries. In Sri Lanka, Japan has been providing financial and technical assistance since 1954 and is one of the largest donors to the country. On behalf of the people of Japan, JICA contributes to improve the lives of people in Sri Lanka.” JICA said.