Leaders of the Japanese youth delegation for Global Leaders Development (GLD) program currently in Fiji have been inspired by the Fijian hospitality and the experiences shared by the young people.
The facilitator for the Japanese GLD delegation Hazuki Dwyer said: “The experience is just overwhelming and it has had a positive impact on these young people.”
“Japanese youths are very reserved and humble and form what we’ve noticed, the traditional welcoming ceremony and reception and the way they have been treated at their various families during homestays has really impacted them personally,” said Dwyer.
“The Fijian warmth and the whole Fijian experience has inspired, motivated and has boosted their self-confidence,” she added.
Dwyer said it was indeed an opportunity for them as foreigners to learn and share experiences with the locals.
The Japanese youths arrived on Thursday last week, travelled to Suva o Friday and were accorded a full traditional ceremony of welcome at the Youth Training Centre in Valelevu by the Minister for Youth and Sports Mr Viliame Naupoto.
Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports Mr Josefa Sania, senior government officials, dignitaries and invited guests later hosted the delegation to a welcoming reception on Friday evening at the Tanoa Plaza.
The delegation visited the University of the South Pacific early Saturday morning before they were introduced to their Fijian families for homestays in the afternoon.
“My weekend was great and now I am a kai Naitasiri,” said 21-year-old delegation members Isamu Moronaga.
“I have been entertained and welcomed to my homestay family as one of the own and was hosted to a great kava session,” he said with a broad smile.
“Now I want to come back and work in Fiji if there is an opening for me,” Moronaga said with a smile.
“We have really learnt a lot from our visits today and yesterday and what both countries need is a sense of pride within the community to help sustain good initiative and our environment,” Dwyer added.
“We have to take pride in our natural resources and nature or we will lose our identity,” she added.
The delegation will leave this evening for Naviti Hotel and will be hosted by Nakabuta and Vatuolalai villages for a day of cultural exchanges tomorrow before they flight back to Japan on Wednesday via Sydney.
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