I Lesatele
Sharing a common experience is what brings the members of the JICA Alumni Association together.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Alumni Association is made up of Samoans who have benefitted with technical training and educational opportunities in Japan through the JICA programs.
An objective of the Association is to develop contacts with JICA of Japan and with the various training institutions in Japan in which members undertook their training. They exchange information with these contributing to strengthening and developing friendly ties.
Members of the JICA Alumni Association have brought back with them a wealth of knowledge and skills which they have applied to their field of expertise and work places. Not only that but they have been blessed with a cultural experience and very fond memories of Japan.
Since 1968 more than two thousand 2000 Samoans have gone over to Japan under JICA programs.
Tuiloma Ueni Maulio who works in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries was twice a recipient of such a training opportunity in Japan for ICT.
In one, he represented Samoa for a training for young leaders from the Pacific and other countries in Information and Communication Technology ICT.
Tuiloma stated that he gained immensely through these opportunities for which he is grateful. The knowledge he gained he was able to share with other colleagues and members of the SITA( Samoa Communication and Information Technology Association) and also put into use in his work place by expanding the role ICT play in the ministry. “It was very helpful for me in my organizational skills and in my career path,” Tuiloma told Newsline.
Not only he brought back knowledge and skills but lasting impressions. A lasting impression Tuiloma of the host country was the cleanliness of the country. “ It’s such a clean place. People know what to do after the use of a product –placing these in the recycled bins.”
Tuiloma is also amazed at the high level of technology. “They are so advanced. Their ICT infrastructures are of such high level.”
The JICA Alumni Association was established in 1998 and has over 2000 members. Currently it has 130 active members.
The Association has expanded its activities to include community work, friendship exchange with expatriate Japanese through sports days, biking and other activities, participating in career days and others.
Other objectives of the Association is to maintain, foster and develop friendship among members and other JICA Alumni Associations and to promote general awareness of JICA activities and programmes to members and to promote application of specialised skills and participate in cultural/social/educational activities for the good/benefit of the community.
Another recipient of a training opportunity is Julius Matthes. An engineer with the Samoa Water Authority (SWA) he is among the numerous technical personnel from SWA who have gone over to Japan for intensive short term training.
Matthes is currently working in the Capacity Enhancement Project for Samoa Water Authority with cooperation with Okinawa (CEPSO Phase Two). This project which is a continuation of CEPSO 1 continues to assist Samoa Water Authority to reduce non revenue water and provide safe and sustainable water supply. A project , in which the local people and the Japanese technical experts work side by side and thus ties between the Samoans and the Japanese continue to be strengthened.
Non revenue water (water lost through leakage and not accounted by SWA) Matthes pointed out is a major problem for SWA. “Water lost through the EU system is 46%.”
JICA helps in providing expert technical assistance, providing tools and recently a vehicle. Matthes is most grateful to JICA for the vehicle for the project only has one.
Other areas JICA provides assistance to Samoa are education, health , economic infrastructure, environment, water supply and others. One of the most visible is the new Vaisigano Bridge and it is a landmark in Samoa.