On third of March 1992, Botswa- na represented by retired woman of many firsts, Dr Gaositwe Chiepe who was then Minister for External Affairs, signed an official agreement with Japan to become the 56th nation in the world to accept JOCV.

In August the same year, the first JICA volunteers arrived in Botswana and since then more than 400 members have lived and worked in the country.

JOCV is one of the cooperation schemes by JICA operating under the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA). The volunteer programme dispatches volunteers for two years to assist developing nations in economic and social development, promote international goodwill and strengthen mutual understanding as well as develop international perspectives and share experience with the Japanese nation.

Welcoming guests to the event, JICA Botswana Resident Representative, Mr. Hideo Eguchi stated that the volunteer programme has thus far assisted the country with com- munity development, environment, education waste management, Information technology, business sports and other grassroots activities to share skills and knowledge.

Botswana's Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Gladys Mokhawa

was grateful for the volunteer programme which she said was sustained and meaningful to Botswana.

She stated that the dedicated, enthusiastic and selfless volunteers had brought fruitful results citing the 2017/18 softball team

success as one of the highlights of their presence in the country. She further said; "Those who return have appreciation of who we are and share stories across Japan.

Charge d' affaires for Embassy of Japan, Ms Makiko Murai also revealed that Japan sought to develop and nurture strong steady overseas relationships and it was not possible without human exchange. The Japanese embassy gives grants towards sports and other grassroots activities and is home ground for JOCV cooperation. This year, 13 volunteers had been newly dispatched in Botswana by JICA.

Gaborone Technical College (GTC) Electronic Engineering faculty is one of the host organisations that benefited immensely from the programme. Principal Ms. Hildah Mokgwathise said that the senior volunteers helped them set up and modify laboratories, workshops and other facilities at their college and further stated that when others had ICT problems, GTC 'sailed through'. "Since we are reviewing programmes to introduce Diploma in electronics, we need new volunteers and appeal to JICA to assist us," she said.

Present at the ceremony were newly dispatched volunteers (13 Junior and Senior) following the two year halt to the program.