TEN Japanese volunteers were commended for their contributions to the rural areas they served in while in the country.
Public Service Commission permanent secretary Parmesh Chand hosted a reception to farewell the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteers on Thursday.
They served in physical education, primary education, automobile maintenance, nursing, public health nursing, rural community development, fishery technology education and water leakage prevention. The JICA Volunteers completed their two-year tenure at various organisations like the Fiji National University, Lautoka Special School, Monfort Technical Institute, Ministry of Health, Ra Provincial Council Office and the Water Authority of Fiji.
Mr Chand thanked the volunteers for their diligence and for sacrificing their time to serve away from their families.
"You have served in remote, rural areas and I commend you for your contributions and efforts," he said in a statement.
"Your skills and expertise were critical areas of need for the respective ministries, departments and organisations who hosted you during your service in Fiji. Government is thankful for your service and we are also grateful for the continued assistance from the government of Japan."