Two Japanese volunteers from the Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) program under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are set to depart the country this Friday after completing their two-year service in Honiara.
Takayuki Sakuri and Chikako Ito arrived in Honiara in February 2023 and have successfully fulfilled their volunteer roles over the past two years.
Takayuki, known as ‘Taka,’ served as a physiotherapist in the Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Department at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), while Chikako, or Chiko, worked as a midwife nurse at Naha Clinic under the Honiara City Council (HCC).
Takayuki’s Contribution to Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
Throughout his tenure, Takayuki not only provided rehabilitation services at NRH but also extended his expertise to sports teams across Honiara.
His key objectives included:
- 1. Offering rehabilitation services and technical guidance in real clinical settings.
- 2. Organizing training sessions to enhance specialized knowledge and skills.
- 3. Developing protocols and guidelines for physiotherapy practice.
Takayuki worked diligently to achieve these goals over two years. He also played a significant role in sports rehabilitation, actively participating in the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara alongside fellow physiotherapists and rehabilitation staff.
Prior to the games, he conducted workshops to enhance physiotherapy skills in sports settings.
Additionally, he worked as a physio for the Selwyn Old Scholars Association (SOSA) Football Club under the Telekom Super League (TSL), where he provided rehabilitation services, training for performance enhancement, and injury prevention support.
Takayuki also assisted the Solomon Islands National Beach Soccer team during the FIFA Beach Soccer Qualifiers and worked with the Solomon Islands Va’a National Team.
Chikako, a midwife nurse, dedicated her time to supporting expectant mothers at Naha Clinic and beyond.
She actively participated in HCC outreach programs and health awareness initiatives in schools.
Beyond her medical work, Chikako also empowered women through sewing workshops, teaching them to make items like purses that they could sell to generate income.
Her motivation stemmed from her understanding of the challenges some pregnant women face, particularly their inability to attend regular check-ups due to financial constraints such as lack of bus fare.
Through her sewing classes, she aimed to help these women earn a sustainable income.
Both the Director of Physiotherapy Rehabilitation, Elsie Taloafiri, and Naha Clinic Nurse-in-Charge, Ellen Jilini, expressed their deep gratitude for the volunteers’ contributions, acknowledging their dedication to improving healthcare services in their respective departments.
They wished Takayuki and Chikako all the best as they return to Japan.
JICA Resident Representative, Watanabe Takeshi, also extended his appreciation to NRH and Naha Clinic for welcoming and supporting the volunteers.
“Today, they spoke about their achievements during their two years here, but they could not have done it without your help and support,” said Watanabe.
He expressed hope that their work has positively contributed to healthcare development in Honiara and the Solomon Islands as a whole.
As Takayuki and Chikako prepare to leave, Watanabe hopes they will continue their efforts in strengthening ties between Japan and the Solomon Islands.
By Agnes Menanopo
Solomon Star, Honiara
