First Lady Sajidha Mohamed Tuesday hosted a delegation of volunteers from the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) programme at the Official Residence of the President, Mulee’aage, expressing profound gratitude for their enduring commitment to various Maldivian islands.
The JOCV group was accompanied by Ishigami Rumiko, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, and the Director of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
During the meeting, the volunteers shared insights into their diverse work, which spans teaching in local schools and integrating within island communities. They highlighted significant contributions to health and physical education, introducing and developing sports such as handball, baseball, and athletics. Beyond sports, JOCV members also impart valuable skills in music, handicrafts, and culinary arts, fostering cultural exchange and vital capacity-building across the archipelago.
The First Lady conveyed her sincere appreciation for the continuous support provided by the Government of Japan. She lauded the JOCV’s dedicated service, emphasising how their efforts deliver tangible benefits to local communities and significantly bolster the longstanding partnership between the Maldives and Japan.
The JOCV programme has been active in the Maldives since 1982, deploying over 350 volunteers who have made substantial impacts nationwide.