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My name is Eriko, a school teacher from Japan and I am working at a primary school near Gaborone as a JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) member. Last month, I had a special program for my students where we had a video exchange session with high school students from Wakayama prefecture, in Japan.

This is something that I had been considering to do for some time and when Mr Matsushita, a former JOCV member in Ethiopia who is currently a science teacher, invited us to connect through skype, I was happy to accept.

This was quite a pleasant surprise for my students, as they had never experienced something like this before. They were awe struck by the time difference, school facilities, and the huge buildings and generally excited about being able to connect with other students through the internet. Communicating with the elder Japanese students was effortless for the Batswana students as English is their main medium of communication in Botswana Schools. Overall, this was a very important occasion for the little Batswana students to know that they can connect with the world, regardless of the time difference and they will cherish the memory for a long time.

I am really happy for introducing the exchange program for the little students, something that has left a lasting impression on them and grateful to Mr Matsushita for the willingness to do it.