JETAA Jamaica Celebrates 20 Years of Existence with Church Service

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JETAA Jamaica
L-R Travis Barrett, Foreign Service Officer (Representative from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jamaica), Tereka Brown (Member), Marsha Dennie (Member), Janet Crick (Member), Orrette Muir (President, JETAA Jamaica), Larisa McBean (Vice-President, JETAA Jamaica), Maria Mutidjo (Member), Terrike Brown (Public Relations Officer, JETAA Jamaica) and Janette Fuller (Member)

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association of Jamaica (JETAA Jamaica) kicked off its 20th anniversary celebrations with a church service at the Mona Heights Chapel in Kingston, Jamaica, on Sunday July 10, 2022.

The year 2000 was a seminal one for Jamaica. It was then that eight Jamaicans from all walks of life set off into the unknown to serve as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in Japan. 

At the church service, Orrette Muir, President of JETAA Jamaica, paid homage to those trailblazers for paving the way for other Jamaicans to follow in their footsteps year after year. 

He also gave the audience, both face to face and virtual, an overview of the JET Programme  and Jamaica’s participation in this Programme since 2000. 

JETAA Jamaica 20th anniversary
Orrette Muir, President of JETAA Jamaica, speaking at the 20th anniversary church service held at the Mona Heights Chapel

He thanked the Government of Japan for starting and maintaining the Programme and the affiliate Organisations in Japan for administering the Programme. He also thanked the members of staff at the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica (EoJ) for their support to JETAA Jamaica over the years. 

He affirmed JETAA Jamaica’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening the bonds of friendship between JETAA Jamaica and the Japan.

Ms. Kaoru Kajigayama, Cultural Officer at the EoJ, brought greetings on behalf of Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mr. Masaya Fujiwara, who congratulated JETAA Jamaica on its achievement of the 20 year milestone and pledged the continued support of the Embassy.

Cultural Officer at EoJ bringing greetings
Ms. Kaoru Kajigayama, Cultural Officer at the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica bringing greetings

Ms. Kajigayama also thanked JETAA Jamaica for its role in promoting the Japanese culture in Jamaica and reaffirmed the EoJ’s support of Jamaica’s participation in the JET Programme.

Later, she was presented with a token from JETAA Jamaica for her work with JETAA Jamaica during her tenure in Jamaica.

Larisa Mc Bean, VP, JETAA Jamaica, presents token to Ms. Kajigayama
Larisa McBean, Vice President, JETAA Jamaica, presents a token to Kaoru Kajigayama, Cultural Officer at the EoJ

JETAA Jamaica's 20th Anniversary celebration will continue with the publication of a Magazine, an Essay Competition, a Picnic by the Poui at Hope Botanical Gardens, among other activities.


The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association of Jamaica (JETAA Jamaica) was established in 2002 and operates as a non-profit organisation. The JETAA Jamaica is comprised of persons who worked as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in primary, junior high and senior high schools across Japan under the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. The mission of JETAA Jamaica is to assist in enhancing relations between Jamaica and Japan; promote Japanese culture within Jamaica and serve as a support group for former, current and prospective Jamaican JET participants.

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