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My name is Ryoko. I was a designer volunteer and had been assigned in the National Museum in Gaborone, Botswana since January 2017 and came back to Japan in January this year.

Currently, I am working as a freelance designer at home.

Recently, I and my counterpart designer were awarded "Best Performer 2019" by the National Museum.

Since I was already in Japan, I could not attend the awarding ceremony but a JICA Botswana staff accepted the certificate on my behalf and I am really grateful to the staff for stepping in for me.

In Botswana, this kind of annual celebration is held in each governmental organization not only at the National Museum. Last year, I was engaged in designing a certificate which I had in this photo, creating sign boards at sight-seeing areas including UNESCO World Heritage sites.

As an ex-Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer member, I call for in-service JOCVs to seek what one can do positively other than their jobs as requested by Botswana side.

During my tenure as a JOCV, I came up with two introductory guides for Botswana apart from my daily jobs in the museum. However, looking back on what I did in Botswana, I feel I could have done more during my assignment period. Lastly, I wish all JICA Botswana Volunteers a fruitful stay and work in Botswana.