- WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica Hiroshi Sakurai (right), and State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Delano Franklyn (third right foreground), with Jamaican students travelling to Japan under the Japan Exchange and Teaching programme, at Seaview Avenue, on Friday, July 7.
TEN BRIGHT young Jamaicans are off to the land of the rising sun to take part in the increasingly popular Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) programme.
The latest batch was fêted by Ambassador Hiroshi Sakurai at his residence, on Seaview Avenue, last Friday.
The students, who a few months ago, didn't know any Japanese, introduced themselves and told where they would be going to teach English to Japanese students.
In a solemn part of the evening, Ambassador Sakurai revealed that his predecessor, Isao Otsuka, had passed away. The gathering observed a moment of silence to remember the jovial ambassador. Ambassador Sakurai described the students as part of an adventurous 44,000 band of brothers from 44 countries who are going to Japan on programmes such as the JET.
He expounded on the benefits of the programme and reminded them that in some areas they would be stationed, it would be the first time the Japanese would be seeing a Jamaican. He said their character would be tested, but they should show grace in the face of any situation. He described the programme as a major life experience, which would have a great impact on their lives.
President of the alumni association, Shawn Aarons, was pleased that Jamaica was no longer seen as a country of sun, sand and coffee. He said that we showed the world we were not only versed in the Queen's English, but also the American type, which is popular in Japan. He pointed out the association was trying to increase awareness of the language at the primary and secondary level. The students will leave on July 28.
