GRASSROOTS AMBASSADOR The JET Programme Kasama Inari Shrine, a symbol of the city, is included along the route of the annual Kasama Togeinosato Half Ministers and Olympic medalists Marathon. from Ethiopia shown while visiting Japan for the Kasama Togeinosato Ethiopian Marathon Hero Half Marathon held in 2019. Running together with Mekonnen, they established good relationships with Coaches Youth Athletes the people of Kasama. Making people smile wherever he goes, a long-distance running legend from Ethiopia lives and works in a rural Japanese town! bebe Mekonnen, Ethiopian Shrine. The city is also famous for Athletics Federation, made a visit long-distance running its style of porcelain known as there in March 2019, also with the A Each piece of Kasama-ware is characterized by the artist’s hero, won the Tokyo International Kasama-ware. About forty years ago, purpose of coaching students of individuality. They create pieces that are free from tradition Marathon three times, along with an Ethiopian potter fascinated with an athletics class. It was Tulu who Kasama is Japan’s largest producer of chestnuts. and formalities. various other famous races, including the style of pottery moved to the advised Mekonnen to work there the Beijing Marathon and Boston region, which led the long-term as an SEA. She told me that she Marathon. He also competed twice connection with the country that has had been very warmly received by beautiful, and the people are warm Mekonnen-sensei means by saying This strong, kind Ethiopian hero is in the Summer Olympics. This past lasted many years. the people of Kasama, which made and friendly. I could relax easily, that its important to train with the bringing the two countries closer year, he has been playing an active After Kasama had been named as me think that Id really like to go and soon fell in love with Kasama.” whole body,” one of them says. together, both through his heart role as a Sports Exchange Advisor the Host Towns for Ethiopian team there myself,” he recalls. Thus, he Mekonnens role has been to draw Having spent less than a year in and through sports. (SEA) for the Japan Exchange and for the Tokyo 2020 Games, President ended up coming to Kasama in that the two countries closer together by Japan, Mekonnen still finds it hard Teaching (JET) Programme in Derartu Tulu of the Ethiopian role. The natural countryside is acting as an intermediary between to communicate in Japanese, but Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Ethiopia and Kasama City. His duties he says, I can get by with gestures Rich with nature, Kasama is a also include giving advice and and laughing. I can talk with About the rural city about a two-hour drive making training plans for junior Japanese people through the heart. Japan Exchange and from Tokyo. As Japans largest high school athletic clubs. His daily As well as taking part in the towns Teaching (JET) Programme About the producer of chestnuts, it abounds training plans set out target times marathon, Mekonnen participated The JET Programme began in Ibaraki Japanese Exchange and with typical heartwarming Japanese down to the very second, leaving in the Ibaraki Ekiden (long-distance 1987 with the goal of promoting （JAPAN） Teaching (JET) Programme landscapes unchanged since olden colleagues amazed at how precise road relay race) held in December grassroots international ETHIOPIA days, such as the approach leading they are. 2019, representing Kasama City as exchange between Japan and up to the well-known Kasama Inari In Ethiopia, its normal to walk a runner and coach. He is a popular other nations, and is now one of 5km or 6km to school. I encourage person, who fits in well with the s largest international exchange programs. students here in Kasama to go to people of the city. JET participants are placed school on foot, and to take walks on The day after the Ekiden race, an in every region of Japan and the weekend to build basic physical elementary school in the city work in one of three positions: strength. Currently because of the included Ethiopian food in their assistant language teachers (ALTs), Abebe Mekonnen novel coronavirus, I cannot do the school lunch menu to help students coordinators for international Born in Ethiopia in 1964. Former programs I originally prepared, but become more familiar with Ethiopian relations (CIRs), or sports long-distance and marathon exchange advisors (SEAs). runner, he competed in many World Im hoping to give as much advice culture. Mekonnen, having been Championships, as well as twice in as possible to students through invited to the lunch, was so touched In 2019, the JET Programme the Olympics. Three-time winner of welcomed 5,761 participants, individual online lessons.” that he was brought to tears. the Tokyo International Marathon. and currently there are Technical director of the Addis Among Mekonnens students, This summer, after finishing his more than 70,000 alumni Ababa Sport Commission in the capital of Ethiopia. some had the opportunity to join contract as an SEA, Mekonnen will from 75 countries living in all the training in Ethiopia. Even when return to Ethiopia. “After going parts of the world. Mekonnen is pictured with making the same movements, we back home, Ill continue to train members of the Tomobe Junior High School athletic club in only use a part of our bodies, whereas Ethiopias next generation, and I Kasama City. Getting advice Ethiopian athletes use their whole also want to be the link that helps directly from a former Olympic The JET Programme official website athlete clearly boosted the bodies in a more dynamic manner. build an even stronger relationship students’ motivation. We finally came to understand what between Kasama and Ethiopia.” http://jetprogramme.org/en/ 27.