Japanese volunteers support country’s development efforts at grass-root level

Saturday, 12 November 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Eight Japanese volunteers arrived in the country recently, with the aim of providing their expertise to improve and add value to activities carried out by various public institutions in the country.

These volunteers are in Sri Lanka as a part of JICA’s ongoing Volunteer Dispatch Programme.

They possess a variety of skills covering several technical fields. This new group of volunteers was introduced to their host organisations at an assigning ceremony held at the Department of External Resources on 2 November.

The strengths of JICA’s volunteers are their practical approach to problem solving, and their grasp of local languages, which enables them to interactively communicate with the local people.

These volunteers use extremely creative means of communication, which is essential for effective teaching and training.

They are able to positively influence those whom they work with due to their attitudes, strong sense of discipline and high emphasis on team work.

These volunteers not only transfer technical skills, but also share knowledge on cultural aspects, and most importantly, build strong and long lasting friendships with local people that outlast their stay in Sri Lanka.

Four of these volunteers will conduct training in fields such as repair and maintenance of agricultural machinery, computer technology, pattern making, and cookery, while the other four will be engaged in environmental education, mathematics and pre-school education.

Other key areas JICA volunteers are engaged in include social welfare, community development and sports.

There are altogether 46 volunteers who are currently working in Sri Lanka. Since the inception of JICA’s Volunteer Dispatch Programme to the country in 1981, a total of 855 volunteers have worked in the country, and their contribution towards development activities at grass-root level is greatly valued by those organisations that have benefited from their services.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the executing agency of Japan’s Bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA). JICA, the world’s 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.

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