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Mr. Kaneda and Colleagues

JICA is pleased to welcome back the first Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) to Botswana following almost two years of a temporary halt to their activities due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The volunteer, Mr. Yusuke Kaneda who was previously working at Chobe District Council under Community Development, arrived to a very warm welcome at JICA Botswana Office as well as their partners who have been instrumental in the JOCV cooperation throughout its existence. Mr. Yusuke paid a courtesy visit to his host organizations and partners; Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) and Embassy of Japan (EOJ). Among the Dignitaries that he met, were the Director of the Department of Community Development at the ministry, Mr. Steven Ludick, Senior Assistant Director I (DPSM), Ms. Yolinda Baletloa and the Deputy Head of Mission at EOJ, Ms. Yuka Fujino. He was encouraged to contribute positively to his activities despite the short assignment period he is left with in Botswana. At last, Mr. Yusuke expressed deep joy to be back in Botswana as he is very fond of the country and the people. He will be working to support Community Development activities with particular focus on empowering local neighboring communities in and around Mogoditshane. During the course of the year, JICA will receive 14 volunteers in the country who will be dispatched to District Councils, Primary Schools, Welfare and Disability organisations and Sports bodies, to continue JICA's JOCV cooperation with Botswana that commenced 30 years ago.