Japanese volunteers charting new pathways for PNG

By PETER ESILA
TWENTY-five Japanese volunteers in Papua New Guinea yesterday discussed issues and future pathways with stakeholders in the key sectors of education, health and agriculture.
The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica) volunteer biannual presentation was about collaborating with stakeholders
to enhance and strengthen volunteerism in the country, Jica
chief representative Takashi Toyama said at the meeting in Port Moresby.
“Since 1974, Jica has dispatched about 800 volunteers in PNG, we are expecting many more volunteers to be assigned to PNG,” he said.
“So my plan is to increase to at least 40 the number of volunteers, which will take some time.
“All volunteers are assigned to the rural areas so this meeting is very important for Jica staff in the office because it is our possible
chance to meet other, talk to each other.
“It is very limited and it is very good for the volunteers themselves.”
Toyama said Jica used the volunteers in the PNG government’s priority areas, and their stay in the country was for two years with possible extensions.
“Some volunteers may have some languages skills, everything is different from Japan so they have to manage to catch up with the situation in PNG and without help by the community, they may not survive in PNG.”
He said volunteers reported to Jica as well as provincial governments.
“Some areas will be reflected by the central government and the provincial government for the betterment of the system, for the better service delivery to the people of PNG and how we can help.
“We have already built a good relationship with the various central government departments, including Education, Health and, of course, National Planning and Community Development – making the best use of the volunteers’ experiences as well.”