Keiko’s Fijian affair
Finding a connection in the land of the noble banner blue
FROM our earliest days in school, Fiji has always been described as a melting pot of cultures, and to some extent, this is the impression left on visitors when they depart our shores.
For those living and working in Fiji, it is also an opportunity to see this melting pot up close and personal, specifically through shared experiences with Fijian locals.
One such individual who has witnessed the essence of Fijian culture is Keiko Asai, a volunteer with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), who is based as a dietician at the Lautoka Diabetic Hub Centre.
Her story as a volunteer in Fiji transcends the work she does, as she has seen the close-knit bonds and sense of community that Fijians are known for.
Relaying her story to this newspaper, the 41-year-old from Yamagata, Japan, is the youngest of three children.
“I’m from Yamagata, which is located in the north part of Japan,” she said.
“Yamagata is a very lovely place as it is surrounded by a lot of nature, tasty foods and warm people. My parents were teachers. I used to go to their workplace sometimes during my childhood and the students would take care of me.
“I moved to Kyoto to attend a university there after I graduated from high school. My major at the university was international relations. I believe education is the key word for peace. Later, I went to a nutrition college after graduating from university.”
It was in school that she discovered just how diverse the world is, and her interactions with a peer from Nepal cultivated her interest in seeing different communities abroad.
“When I was a primary school student, an overseas student from Nepal came to our school. She spoke English, but I couldn’t understand. I really wanted to talk with her, so I tried to think or remember some words.
“Finally, the word ‘happy’ came to me. I asked her ‘happy?’ and she answered ‘yes’. That was my first English conversation. This experience led me to have interest in learning different cultures and communicating with foreign people.
“When I was a high school student, I watched a movie about some street children. This has inspired me to learn about international cooperation and how I can support developing countries.
“After I went to the university, I became interested in eating disorder treatment because of my experience and wanted to learn how to relate mental condition and eating.
“Then I went to a nutritional college after I graduated from the university.”
Her role as a dietician now consists of carrying out nutritional counselling and awareness to diabetic patients and attending workplace screenings and community outreaches with the Lautoka
Health Centre team.
It’s not all work though. Keiko bonds with her team, as we all do in Fiji, by chatting and conversing with her colleagues, and learning iTaukei and Fiji Hindi along the way.
This short time is indispensable as she also works on skills to bridge the communication gap she encounters with her patients at times.
“I love travelling and different cultures. It helps me understand and accept differences. Also, I like self-examination and facing myself. It connects to love myself and others.”
As a foreigner, she experiences bouts of loneliness, but the communal spirit of her Fijian colleagues has helped her adjust to a foreign environment.
“I do miss my family. My parents are very old, so I message them every day. My cat that was 20 years old, passed away in October last year.
“That was so sudden I was very shocked because I hoped to see her again, but I believe she is always watching over me.
“All moments in Fiji are memorable for me. I want to keep it in my memory forever.
“My name Keiko means with you in Fijian (kei —with, iko — you). The Japanese meaning of my name is blessed child.
“With this name, I’d like to share a lot of blessing, and happiness with people and spread world peace.
“Everything you need happens at the right time. Just be yourself. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Believe in yourself and follow your heart.”
All moments in Fiji are memorable for me. I want to keep it in my memory forever... – Keiko Asai –