Japanese volunteers say goodbye to SVG

The bonds of love and friendship between Japan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are now much closer.

This was made clear to all witnessing the emotional goodbye said to the Girls’ High School (GHS) by two Japanese volunteers who worked at the school for the past two years.{{more}}

Kiyoshi Itaya and Hidetoshi Kondo seem to have come to love the students and the school. In his remarks, Kondo, a science teacher, said that although the students told him “me nah like science,” and asked to touch his hair, he loved them all, and said that the time he spent here in St. Vincent would remain “the most precious thing in my life.”

Music teacher Itaya, who was red eyed and teary, remarked that he did not need to open the gift that was presented to him as he had already received the gifts of

music and love from the school.

It is clear that their love was returned in abundance. The teachers’ remarks were punctuated by loud bursts of applause and the occasional shout of “I love you” from the students.

Head of the Music Department, Donna Clarke, thanked Itaya for his willingness to share his musical expertise and go way beyond the call of duty. The diminutive man was described as a good cook who had learned to prepare local dishes and perform local music.

Much of the school’s success at the national science fair held earlier this year was attributed to Kondo. Head of the school’s science department, John Renton, paid tribute to Kondo’s role in preparing the school for the fair. GHS had 65% of the entries in the fair and were adjudged Best Secondary School in the competition.

Kondo in reply, thanked Renton for his “cooperation and his jokes” and said he would miss listening to the arguments in the staff room.