Since March 2020, all JICA Volunteers serving in Samoa repatriated back to Japan due to the international border closures resulting from the global COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, the Volunteer program for Samoa was suspended. Volunteers were hopeful at the time of a quick return to continue with their work.
Their wish is finally granted almost three years later.
Samoa re-opened its borders in August this year and there are now regular flights arriving in the country.
JICA Samoa Office is now proceeding to co-ordinate the volunteers’ safe arrival fully to allow for smooth transition into their work placements.
In 1972 the JICA volunteer program started in Samoa as the 1st country in the Oceania region to receive JICA volunteers in December 1972 and the 15th in the world.
The first JICA volunteer sent to Samoa while still Western Samoa, worked as a civil engineer for the construction project of a power station. His activity contributed to the stable electric power supply in the country.
At the start of the program in the 1970s, the number of JICA volunteers to Samoa was limited but has expanded steadily a total of 676 to date.
Considering the population of Samoa is around 200,000, the number of JICA volunteers per population is quite large compared to other countries.
This means there is a high demand for JICA volunteers to Samoa and their activities well received by government and the people of Samoa.
When the JICA volunteer program began in Samoa, volunteer placements were mainly in infrastructure and agriculture.
In recent years, various cooperation activities including training in education and industry, support for disabled people/ special needs and education for young people through sports is well underway.
The volunteers live and work at the grassroots level, learning and speaking the same language.
The main objectives are cooperating in economic and social development, as well as the reconstruction of developing countries, deepening friendships and mutual understanding, co-existing in cross-cultural societies.
Sharing their volunteer experiences back into Japanese society is another plus.
Envisioning the next 50 years, the volunteers plan to continue to work together with the people of Samoa.