PRIMARY School students of St. Nicholas were able to learn about the Japanese culture during Japan Festival event on Saturday 1st February.
Members of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteers based in the country facilitated the event.
The event was aimed to introduce Japanese culture. It provided a wonderful opportunity for students and parents to experience Japan’s diverse cultural practices, thereby fostering a deeper mutual understanding between Japan and Solomon Islands.
Nineteen (19) volunteers serving under the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) in and around Honiara came together, have some fun with the students while showing various Japanese different activities, food, traditional clothes, games and so forth.
About 300 primary students, parents and few secondary students came out to join the event.
During the one day event the JICA volunteers held quizzes, Japanese dances, calligraphy class, kimono wearing, face painting of cherry blossoms and Japan national flag, cooking and tasting cotton candy, and learning how to write in Japanese.
Chief Organizer of the event, Mr. Taiki Ando, who is a Physical Education (PE) teacher at the school said by introducing this Japan Festival in St. Nicholas, they can promote Japanese culture to the students.
“This is aimed at making the students have an interest in Japanese culture and can make them want to visit Japan in the future.
“In my opinion, this is a first step-to make them interested in Japan. Know what kind of country Japan is.
“I feel that many Solomon Islanders have a positive understanding of Japanese people,” Mr. Ando said.
He added, even though the JOVC have already hosted similar event at St. Mary Tanagai School and SINU last year, he believes that there is still room for more.
He said that this is because the event deepens the understanding between Japan and Solomon Islands by interacting with students, therefore, there should be more opportunities for more schools to do the Japan festival event.
Resident Representative, Mr. Takeshi Watanabe, expressed deepest gratitude to Mr. Fransisco Wate, the Headmaster of St. Nicholas Primary School, for hosting the event, and to all the JICA volunteers and students who have worked hard to make event possible.
He said since JICA began its work in Solomon Islands in 1978, we have been committed to contributing to the development of this beautiful country through various initiatives.
“Among these, JICA volunteers have played a particular significant role. To date, more than 470 volunteers have been dispatched here, working across a wide range of fields, including education, healthcare, fisheries, forestry, agriculture, disaster risk management.”
Currently, there are 21 volunteers who are actively collaborating with Solomon Islanders at the grassroots level, sharing their expertise and fostering connections that extend beyond technical assistance, added Mr. Watanabe.
He emphasized that JICA’s Japan Festival is a wonderful opportunity for Japan and Solomon Islands to fostering friendships and promoting mutual understanding.
He added that Japan and Solomon Islands must continue to collaborate in deepening our friendship and creating a brighter future for both countries.
By AGNES MENANOPO
Solomon Star, Honiara
