Recollection of my Years in Ethiopia

A long time ago, I met one a Japanese volunteer who had worked as a smallpox surveillance officer in Ethiopia. This was my first time meeting an Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV). Later, when I worked at the JICA Jordan office as a Volunteer Coordinator, I had a colleague who used to be a volunteer in Ethiopia in the 1970s and he shared a lot of great memories about Ethiopia. Since then, I began thinking that one day I would like to go to Ethiopia.

After my assignment in Jordan ended, I was fortunately assigned as a Volunteer Coordinator in the JICA Ethiopia Office. This was my second time working in Africa, after previously serving as a volunteer in another African country. My assignment period happened to come after the Japanese Prime Minister’s visit to Ethiopia in 2007 (2000 according to the Ethiopian calendar); it was a time where Japan was beginning to put more emphasis on supporting African countries.

Prominent among my memories of Ethiopia, is that most of the highways to Amhara, Tigray and SNNP Regions were under construction. During business trips to visit volunteers, there were many times where we would have to spend the night in rural towns before reaching our destination. During those nights I realized how large Ethiopia was and I also gained an appreciation for asphalt roads.

Back then, it was also common practice to communicate with Japanese volunteers via radio and it was a joy for me to meet the people that I only knew through their voices. I was also happy to see how the volunteers interacted and had integrated with the local people in their assignment places. This was also when I used to eat injera for every meal, which was a bit tough for me.

In my private life I attended school events for my children, I joined Sports days between schools, and I even met Haile Gebreselassie, the great Ethiopian runner who was nicknamed “The King”. Ethiopian Airlines also began direct flights to Japan, which I was able to take. Many memories are coming back to me as I write this; like the goats and donkeys I would see in the city, the hail during the rainy season, followed by power outages. In that sense, life in Ethiopia was a really good experience and I would like to go back and visit soon.

I know many volunteers have worked hard and faced many challenges over the years, but due to their commitment and tireless efforts, the JOCV has been able to reach its 50th anniversary. I would like to express my respect and congratulations to the many Volunteer Coordinators for their efforts and contributions to the volunteer program. Finally, my wish is for Ethiopia to become a leader in Africa and for Ethiopia to have its own volunteer program, where people can go and support other countries.