JETAA Jamaica's Bonenkai 2022

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JETAA Jamaica Bonenkai

JETAA Jamaica held its Bonenkai (end-of-year party) on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at East Japanese Restaurant HQ on Constant Spring Road in Kingston. 

Members of the Association gathered to reflect on their contribution to the effort of fostering cultural exchange and awareness between Jamaica and Japan during the year and to fellowship with each other while enjoying some authentic Japanese cuisine. 

The Association welcomed new and familiar faces at the event. It was such a delight to witness the interaction in Japanese among members who went on the JET Programme over a decade ago and those who had recently returned. This is a true testament and manifestation of the undying love for Japanese language and culture that remains among us.  

As a small chapter, we have weathered the test of time and we are proud to be celebrating our 20th Anniversary in 2022.  

From our humble beginnings, hosting our meetings on the lawns of Devon House in Kingston, Jamaica in 2002 when the organisation was started with a handful of members, we have blossomed over the years to having an increase in membership and a number of dedicated volunteers.

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Attendees at one of our meetings at Devon House in the early years. Third from left is Mizuho Nakanishi, then Cultural Officer at the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica

One of our fondest memories as an Association is hosting a JETAA International Conference in 2009, when we welcomed representatives from all the chapters of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association International (JETAA-I) and feted them in true Jamaican style.

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We are pleased to say that the Association has remained strong and relevant since its inception. 

Shawn Aarons, the founder of JETAA Jamaica and former President, along with Kay Dunkley, former President of JETAA Jamaica and JETAA International, took a few minutes out of the evening's festivities to give us history lessons about the growing pains that the organisation encountered in its early years and how it overcame the challenges of being a small chapter to becoming one of the most active and recognised chapters within the JETAA International community. 

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We extend sincerest gratitude to our senpais who have paved the way and fought for JETAA Jamaica to have a seat at the table.

We also recognize the up-and-coming talents who have recently returned from Japan, and we are buoyed by their infectious passion and enthusiasm. We welcome them to the fold.

JETAA Jamaica looks forward with renewed energy to celebrating twenty more years of helping to strengthen the relationship between Jamaica and Japan through the activities it initiates and the activities in which it engages with its Affiliates and in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica (EoJ).

And we look forward to occasions such as these where we meet and greet each other and reminisce about Japan and the varied memories that we made there. Our members in attendance at the Bonenkai agreed that it was a resounding success.

Special thanks to the chefs and team at East Japanese Restaurant HQ who graciously hosted and fed us while enduring our loud chatter and belly laughs.  The food and service were excellent!!!!

Bonenkai in Pictures

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Attendees (In front row L-R, The Executive: Terrike Brown (PRO), Larisa McBean (VP) Orrette Muir (President) and David Smalling (Treasurer)
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Happy Holidays everyone!!!!



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.

Comments

  1. Anonymous14 December 2022 at 13:04

    Excellent review of the bonenkai and our humble beginning. Happy to have been one of the partygoers. Excellent food and company! Happy 20th Anniversary JETAA Jamaica! Looking forward to creating a lot of more joyous memories.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Janet Crick15 December 2022 at 13:53

    One of the best JETAA Jamaica bonenkais I've attended/ The camaraderie and the mix of young blood with er.... not so young blood was really great. The introspective walk down memory lane and the charge to keep our "Likkle But Tallawah" spirit going were all timely. A very fun-filled, fact-filled and fellowship-filled evening! Thanks to the writer for capturing it all so well and here's to another Twenty!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Blackburn Sissy9 November 2024 at 11:48

    This iis great

    ReplyDelete

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