JICA’s Volunteer Team Increases as 3 Volunteers Arrive in Addis

Our office welcomed three new volunteers to Addis Ababa at the end of January to begin their two-year assignment periods. After taking Amharic language classes they will begin working at their assigned organizations as follows:

1. Mr. Osamu HOTTA has been assigned to Mary Joy Development Association to share his experience in IT by helping them develop their websites, develop their programs, and share his networking skills with the staff.
2. Ms. Sayuri NOZAWA, is assigned as an Assistant Public Relations Officer to the Federation of Ethiopian Association of Persons with Disability (FEAPD); she will work to promote the Federation by increasing their visibility online and on print media.
3. Ms. Kyoko OSAWA, is a hotel and tourism management advisor assigned to contribute to classes at the Ledeta Manufacturing College; she will also provide support on how to better manage tourist destination and attraction services.

During their two years in Ethiopia, the volunteers will share their expertise and transfer skills to members of their host organization. The volunteer program is an opportunity to learn the Japanese way of doing things (especially when it comes to a strong work ethic, time management and efficiency). Volunteers also learn from their Ethiopian peers about the Ethiopian education and work-system, as well as the cultural norms that encourage community-building and harmony between the work-life balance.

Since 1972 JICA has deployed more than 750 volunteers in Ethiopia which has strengthened the relationship between the two countries.