There was food, flags of many nations, clothes, dances and most importantly, there was a spirit of many nations gathering into one heart.

 

                   Chinese tradional dances are performed at the stage of the Seoul Friendship Fair.


Seoul opens up for all people to become one

         Seoul is trying to open new gates for many foreigners. ‘Seoul Friendship Fair 2011’, a festival held in Seoul Plaza through May 7th and 8th, provided opportunities for people of all nations to gather together. This fair is held annually every May for Korean citizens, foreigners living in Korea and visitors from different countries. For 2011, the theme of the fair was, "Meetings of the people from all across the globe, sharing and becoming one". The fair was named 'Seoul Friendship Fair' to resemble that as many countries gather into one area with one heart, foreigners and locals can make a strong bond. There was food, flags of many nations, clothes, dances and most importantly, there was a spirit of many nations gathering into one heart.

            ‘Seoul Friendship Fair 2011’, held by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, set a goal to offer an opportunity for Koreans and foreigners to gather into one place; and this goal was undeniably met. On stage, there were special performances such as Mexico, Bangkok, and 7 other countries’ traditional dances. Off stage, booths were set for people to freely enjoy. People seemed to enjoy walking from booth to booth on foot. At these booths, they could enjoy many different countries’ traditional foods and even try on cultural costumes. “My kids and I really enjoyed the booth where we could try on cultural costumes. It was very special to be able to try on so many cultural costumes instead of just looking at them through picture,” Hyun-Sook Song, a mother of two children, commented about the cultural costumes booth.


A Korean man is asking about the cultural foods from Sri Lanka at the food booth.

 

220 Different countries all gathered into one land

           Next to the costumes booth, there stood about 220 different nations’ booths. Starting from Australia to Venezuela, there stood booths with each nation’s names and flags with each person from that country. They laid out the traditional items from their country which people could buy. Hee Jin Lee, a college student, said “It was so interesting to be able to so many countries’ cultures all at once. The festival was like a 1+199 package.” At the end of the booths they also had polls to vote on the best nation’s food. A student volunteer at the last booth said, “The festival was a great experience for me. As I volunteered, I was able to talk to so many foreigners. I didn’t even know that there were so many foreigners living in Korea before! I am glad to know that Korea is becoming a land for more and more kinds of people.”

           “’The Seoul Friendship Fair 2011’ allowed me to see Korean’s efforts to help us fit in. It feels great to know that people are trying to accept us,” Julio, a foreign exchange student from South America said. Before, Korea has been criticized for its strong bond for only our race. However, now starting with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Korea is opening up more chances for foreigners to become one with the citizens. Seoul is welcoming people of all colors with an accepting heart. Seoul Friendship Fair was first held in 1996, and the 2011 one celebrates its 16th anniversary. In 2004, 5 countries with 90 foreign performancers were invited to this fair. However, now in 2011, 16 countries with over 350 performancers were invited. Also, compared to last year, there have been more countries participating in the cultural food booths-making more people excited for next year's fair. As we see many more countries participating in this fair, we can feel the spirit of the foreigners and Koreans having some kind of bond now. Friendship means having a strong bond with another. As the 'Seoul Friendship Fair' grows, so is the bond, friendship, for Koreans and foreigners.


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Each May, the amusement park is especially crowded and cities have parades.

A wide variety of public activities are held and some zoos offer free admission to children.

Children get presents from their parents and are likely to stay away from homework or stress on a special day in May.
This special day is May 5, Children’s day.




 

 This special day for children not only has been celebrated in South Korea,
but also in many parts of the world on various days.  

Children's Day is on December 25 in Congo, Congo DR, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon Chad, Central African Republic. Albania and Armenia celebrated the day on June 1. It takes place on October 12 in Brazil. The Government of Canada designated November 20th as National Child Day. Like this, Children’s day is a worldwide holiday to honor children. Although observation of the day varies from country to country, its purpose remains the same: to honor children and promote their happiness.

However, Children’s day is not existed for all children.

On May 5th, when children in South Korea visited zoos and amusement parks, children in other parts of the world went to the workplace. When children in some countries get presents from

their parents, some children in other countries get the miserly amount of money after working the entire day; these children live every day, suffering from the severe manual labor and do not even realize there is a special day for them.


 

 


   According to statistics provided by UNICEF, there were an estimated 158 million children aged 5 to 14 years in child labour worldwide in the year 2006, and this figure is continuously increasing. The International Labor Organization estimated that worldwide, more than 10 million children are employed in drug-trafficking, sex work, and other hazardous labor.

This is what is called 'CHILD LABOR'.

There are various causes of child labor: poverty, adult unemployment, overpopulation, or social apathy.

 

 

Among these, poverty is the main cause of child labor. Parents send their little children to factories or shops. Some parents even carry infants and beg for money on the street.

Also, employers prefer to employ children. This is due to the fact that children are recruited for less pay. This adult’ exploitation of children as a cheap labor drives more and more children to the workplace.                                            
 


                                                                           
The situation in India, for instance, is even desperate. In Northern India, the exploitation of little children for labor is an accepted practice and perceived by the local population as a necessity to alleviate poverty. According to the statistics provided by The Government of India, around 90 million out of 179 million children do not go to school and are engaged in labor.

 

Children also have been recruited in war.


During the civil war in Sierra Leone in 1991, becoming child soldiers was a common thing. Children there were forced to join the army and trained to kill people.
The war began when a rebel group, RUF (Revolutionary United Front) started attacks against the government.
This rebel group overthrew the government, killed thousands of innocent citizens and chopped people’s hands in a way to prevent people from voting for the government.  RUF also threatened children to join the army, instilled wrong ideas and values into child soldiers and even used drugs to control children.  These child soldiers were used as combats, cooks, informants, porters, bodyguards, sentries, and spies.   

                                                                                                                                         
 Until now, they have greatly suffered from the aftereffects of war.

Besides, several thousands of children worked in diamond mines throughout the years of the war in order to finance the rebels’ weapons. The diamond mining in Sierra Leone took a myriad of children’s lives and was one of the major causes of the war. This is why we call the diamonds in Sierra Leone ‘Blood diamonds’.

                                                                     


 Children in Sierra Leone worked in the mines after the war and still do. These blood diamonds which represent children’s tears, blood and sacrifice are still extracted and smuggled to all over the world despite international efforts to block sales of conflict diamonds such as the Kimberley Process.   

 






According to ‘Free the children’(NGO), every year, 22,000 children die in work-related accidents and the number of children involved in armed conflicts around the world has increased to about 300,000 over the past decade.

 

For these children, Children’s day is meaningless or never existed.

What these children would long for is going to school or playing with friends instead of working in factories or fighting in armed conflicts. They are robbed not only of their freedom but of their basic rights. On Children's day,  why don't we make it our duty to take more concern over these children , who spend their valuable childhood days in factories and battlegrounds?


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THE DAY OF THE NEWS

      New Yorkers cheering hours after Osama Bin Laden's death

        On the evening of May 1, I was in Manhattan to find the popularity rating and opinions of presidential candidate Donald Trump (confirmed not running on May 17th), when I received a breaking news tweet by CNN. I then received another tweet from BBC. All of the tweets displayed the same message. “OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD.”As I read the tweet, more people started muttering about the same thing. A few hours later, many gathered in Times Square and Ground Zero (the site of the former WTC towers) and started to chant “we got him, we got him!” People were listening to President Obama’s speech on their tablets and smartphones, hearing their president announcing the news.

QUESTIONS FOR THE EUPHONY 

"Now I can go and rebuild the symbol of American freedom in peace." 


           Two days after Bin Laden’s death, I revisited New York to see how Americans were taking Bin Laden’s death. As New York has been the site where Bin Laden became known for his atrocious action on September 11th, 2001, it would be interesting to see how New York reacted to Bin Laden’s death other than celebration. I compiled a list of various questions to see how Bin Laden and his death affected the interviewee’s life, whether the interviewees approve President Obama’s handling of Bin Laden, and whether the interviewees think they aresafer from Al Qaeda and the threat of terrorism after Bin Laden’s death. I interviewed 100 people in the WTC site (most of them construction workers), 200 people in Times Square, 100 people in Wall Street, and 150 people in Columbia University. I also asked them whether they thought Bin Laden was really dead,and/or if the American government is omitting some facts.

“And while I was depressed in missing my first day at work, the first tower was struck.”
(source:  britannica.com)

              100% of the people in the WTCsite, 60% of the people in Times Square, 45% of the people in Wall Street, and 30% of the people in Columbia University answered that they have been personally affected by Bin Laden’s actions and/or his death. Chelley, who is 29 years old and has lived in New York for 14 years, told me that she remembered the day when the towers fell down. “I was supposed to go to the Wall Street area for an internship, but I missed the bus on that day,” she explained, “and while I was depressed in missing my first day at work, the first tower was struck by the plane.” Although the WTC area was in the financial district area, I was surprised that the percentage of people in Wall Street were less affected by Bin Laden’s death personally than other parts of New York. “It’s simple,” said a businessman (he was asked not to be named). “Many people here don’t stay in one place for even a month, let alone a decade. Besides, since the WTC was so close to here, maybe the people who were affected are probably resting in graves.”

                Jared, the construction worker for the new WTC, and who I’ve interviewed earlier in the April article, told me how happy he was that the nightmare of America lies beneath the sea. “I haven’t seen that horrible event face to face, but I’m sure as hell glad to see that **** dead. Now I can go and rebuild the symbol of American freedom in peace.” 

COMMANDER IN CHIEF

Obama during the Bin Laden Raid, receiving live coverage from the deployed Navy SEALS Team
(source: wordpress.com) 

             Although the poll numbers for personal significance varied from different locations, there was almost unanimous support for the assertion that President Barack Obama’s decision to assassinate Bin Laden and the subsequent burial at sea. The Times Square, WTC, Wall Street, and Columbia University had 95%, 100%, 85%, and 90% respectively in terms of people supporting President Obama’s actions.  One interviewee told me that his confidence in the president has strengthened. “He could have bombed Bin Laden’s hideout,and yet he was brave enough to send in Americans to get Bin Laden.” Another interviewee commended the risks the president took. “It could have gone terribly wrong,” she explained, “if this raid failed, Obama’s presidency would not have recovered.

Although most of the people’s confidence in Obama’s popularity has increased, some of the New Yorkers do believe that Obama has caused a blunder in America-Pakistan relations. “I seriously do not think that the president has thought this through,” said an interviewee. “I think Obama was merely thinking about his poll ratings. Even if he WAS thinking about how to dispose Bin Laden without mistake, I wouldn’t barge into allied territory without notifying them.” Another interviewee gave a more balanced criticism. "I respect Mr. Obama's decision to send in troops in order to confirm Bin Laden's death, but I would rather have bombed the compound, as sending in troops may have gone very wrong: he could have escaped, or many Americans could have died during the operation."

DEATH?

Some have even suggested to me that Bin Laden might not be even dead (Al Qaeda confirmed Bin Laden’s death on May 6, 5 days after the raid). “It kind of seems suspicious to me that Bin Laden is dead. He was living near a military base in an authoritarian regime, and was only a few distances away from the capital”, said Patish Kunjahabi, an Indian who was in the States because of his business. “I’m pretty sure the Pakistani government, no matter how incompetent, would know that the most wanted man in the world is within their country. Pakistan wants to know about the lives of the daily lives of their citizens. You’re telling me that they don’t even know about the most famous man in the world living next to their capital?”

REMEMBERANCE & CONTEMPLATION

"I know that Bin Laden's death won't bring my brother back; still, we got him."

                Despite the celebrations and debates about Bin Laden’s death, there was also a time of mourning in NY.Although there was celebration on the evening the day of Bin Laden’s death, I was also able to witness events that were not celebratory. There were a few families who were mourning in Ground Zero. Many of them had placards and flowers, and laid them near the construction site. A fire fighter (name undisclosed) who worked near the WTC site told me that he remembered people jumping for their lives. He remembered himself and his friends trying to save as many people as possible amid the thick blanket of dust from the buildings.Another man remembers losing his friend in the chaos during the building’s collapse, only to hear his death the following morning.

                A teenager named Simon (not his real name)was laying flowers and a placard written “we got ‘em”, accompanied by his father and his mother. When I asked who they were laying these flowers for, Simon replied that it was for his older brother, who was a salary man in the WTC. I asked him if he was happy that Bin Laden died. Simon started to cry, and his fists were clenched tightly. “I know that Bin Laden’s death won’t bring my brother back.” He then got up and forced a smile, his face stained by tears. “Still,we got him.” 




 

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On April 5th, an interview was done with the Korean bestseller Shin Kyung-sook, who published her book <Please Look After Mom> in the United States. Her book caused the ‘mother syndrome’ three years ago and has also succeeded in captivating the American and European readership. One hundred thousand were published for the first editions of the book, followed by three thousand second editions. It was selected as Amazon’s Bestselling Books of the Month for April, 2011 and was also selected as one of the 15 books at Barnes and Noble’s “Discover Great New Writers: 2011 Summer“ program.

    


























Picture copyright: Left from Shin Kyung Sook; Right from munrobooks.com


1. What led you to take interest in writing?

I grew up in a typical rustic home with many children. I read the books that my brothers brought home and started dreaming about writing from then. Writing was a natural thing for me, and becoming a writer was my dream from a very early age. I did not know for sure whether I wanted to write poems or novels, but I just vaguely hoped of becoming a writer. During high school, my room teacher was Korean-language teacher. I did not go to school for some period and had to write a letter of apologies to him. After the teacher read the letter, he suggested me to consider career as a novelist, and that was when I settled my future as a novelist.
 

2. How did your youth affect your writing?

I did not have a normal youth. In the day, I worked in an audio manufacturing company and attended schools at night. In those days, Korean society was in a industrial stage. The hopes and dreams of the people living in poverty then strongly influenced my writing. One of my novels “The Secluded Room(외딴방 in Korean)” was based in that period.

3. The subject of <Please Look After Mom> is ‘mom.’ How did you choose this subject matter, and how do you usually choose the materials for your writing?

One night when I was sixteen, I was on a train heading to Seoul with my mom. As I looked at my mom’s weary face, I first promised myself that I would one day write a novel about my mom that I could dedicate to her. Although this promise took 30 years to keep, I finally managed it in the end. I mostly find the subject matter in my natural surroundings in the lives of the contemporary people. I hope that my works can be a company to those people who are living in sorrows of life.

4. What do you do when writing does not work out so well?

I just think that it is not the right time and don’t write. I meet people and go traveling. Reading books and taking a stroll are parts of my daily life. After I finish a piece, I sometimes just sleep for two or three days.

5. What was your opportunity in publishing the English version of <Please Look After Mom>, and how did you feel when you first heard this news?

I was thrilled. The fact that KNOPF of Randomhouse was my publisher that had published many of the books that I had spent my childhood with made me even happier. This also made me think about the audience outside Korea for the first time. <Please Look After Mom> led me to many new people and relationships when it was shown in Korea. Now, it's a piece that has yielded me so many valuable experiences outside Korea.

6. Like you said, you are like the ‘first-snow’ of the Korean literature that has fallen on the foreign readership. What advice would you give to those students who hope to one day become a “global" writer like yourself?

This is a complex question. You should write about subjects that you want to write about. If you try to follow the ideas of others, you yourself will grow irritated and easily give up. I advice that students take interest in the society and the lives of the people in it, always participating and communicating with a sincere heart. If you write thinking “I need to move people’s heart,” you are unlikely to do so. The foremost process in writing would be really understanding the subject inside the writer’s mind and heart . Unlike poems, writing novels requires personal efforts as well as talent. I suggest that students keep an open mind that is ready to communicate with the world and take interest in how it is going around.

7. Is there a particular reading you suggest to Korean students?

I read the Collection of Sixty Korean Literature en route to age twenty from nineteen. That reading has been the most secure field of knowledge throughout my writing career. I suggest that students read the books one by one when they have time.

Shin once compared the publishment to snow by saying “The book is the first-snow for both myself and the Korean literature in foreign publishment. I hope that more beautiful works will accumulate over it.” Following the publishment, the American critics praised on her ability to catch the truest feelings of all humanity regardless of the language or culture.

We often assume that different cultures and traditions make emotions differ from one culture to another. This might be true, but the novelist Shin Kyung-sook has proven that the truest feelings are borderless. She provided a chance for all Korean daughters, sons, and husbands to reconsider the existence of “mom” for once, and has also succeeded in making the Americans hold onto the Kleenex box during their reading. As an author, as well as a person, Shin Kyung-sook is a true global leader who has opened up both the Korean literature to the foreign audience and the world to their deepest, most forgotten and regretful emotion.

Shin is currently staying in New York, and this interview was done over e-mail. She has finished her book tour in the States and is preparing another one around 8 European countries that will also publish her books soon.

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On April 22nd, 2011, the Earth celebrated its 41st Earth Day. This day was founded due to a crude oil leakage in 1969, California, US, which led Senate Nelson to advocate the need for a designated day for the Earth to recall the Earth’s preciousness and its vulnerable nature. As a result, Dennis Hays, a Harvard student at the time, was chosen to declare the foundation of the Earth Day. Moreover, 20 million American citizens launched a campaign urging others to live environmental-friendly lifestyle. Since 1970, the Earth Day has officially become an internationally celebrated day for the sake of the Earth and its well being.

Picture of the first earth day, US, 1970/ picture by Google

 

Korea also celebrated the Earth day this year. One of the events was the ‘2011 Unplugged Concert’. It was held in the City Hall Oval, where hundreds of people brought their own musical instruments. However, the instruments had to be played ‘unplugged’ to electricity. The whole concert was very dimly lighted compared to typical concerts, but it was intended to save electricity. The electricity used during the entire concert was fulfilled by the power generator that citizens generated all day long. It was a very meaningful concert in many ways and gave people a refreshing jolt- that there were endeavors around to be found that anyone could contribute to save the earth.

 ‘2011 Unplugged Concert’ held in the City Hall Oval/ picture by the writer herself
 

These days, more and more students are getting interested in learning about the environment.  However, the endeavors are often short-termed or hard to reach by students. All in all, , students cannot make changes in the world only with their passion. But, some excellent programs are being organized to help students raise awareness about the environment through actions.

 

In Jungnang Youth Center, the ‘Environment Club’ was organized, consisting of high school to middle school students. It is supported by Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. While many of the environment-related programs only last for several months at the most, this program is held throughout a year, emphasizing the importance of consistent care for the Earth. “Tuvalu”, it is called. The name is after a nation which is having problem with drowning underwater by the effects of the climate change.

'Tuvalu' environment club, in Jungnang Youth Center/ picture by the writer herself

The program has its unique and friendly approach towards studying current environmental problems: traveling and observing nature. It is different from any other environment related events – it is more than hard lectures, or hearings that only plea for people to think of environment because it is a moral issue. To describe its motto: ‘A good education is made with one fourth of theory and the other thirds of practice and application.’

What the world really needs is action, and mankind’s introspection towards their regrettable deeds/ picture by

Google

On April 9th, 2011, orientation for the club was held in Jungnang Youth Center by Park Cha Yong, the Team Manager for the project. He said, “Many of us do know there is an environmental problem, but we don’t know by heart why it is desperate and time sensitive.”

 Kim Mi Kyung, a mother of a male participant quoted, “It is an issue we all have to take in seriously. It may seem trivial when we act environmental-friendly out of pure love for the earth, but I believe my child should have his responsibility towards the world he would soon be in charge.”

 A female participant, Hong Ji Soo(15), “My dream is to become a veterinarian, and I have realized the number of species were decreasing because of human activities that are detrimental to ecology, consequently leading to climate change and environment destruction. I would like to realize the seriousness of current situation through experiences on the environmental front borders, because it seems it would never come to me when I am in my chairs. I want my children to know that the earth is a good place to live.”

 

It is a great scene to notice that many students believe environmental needs more than academic research and debate. What it really needs is action, and mankind’s introspection towards their regrettable deeds.


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Mizy Center offers Danish culture classes
May 10, 2011

A local nonprofit will work with the Danish Embassy in Seoul to offer classes on Danish culture to local elementary school students.

The classes are part of a series of programs offered by Mizy Center, which is operated by the Korean National Commission for Unesco. The center has been running the programs since 2007 to teach students about other countries.

The Danish culture classes begin tomorrow and continue on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until June 1. 

“Since 2007, we have collaborated with embassies in Seoul to offer programs about various countries, especially those in Asia and Europe, for Korean students,” Lim Won-jin, a Mizy Center official, said. “The main audience for our program is elementary school students, who generally have fewer chances to travel abroad or learn foreign languages.”

According to the center, the classes will be taught by Danish Embassy staff and will include cooking lessons and other cultural experiences. One class taught by Danish Embassy official Lasse Qvist will introduce books by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Children will be invited to draw pictures of Andersen and the stories in the books.

The center offers similar programs for middle and high school students.

“About 100 middle and high school students and 200 elementary school students have applied for our programs,” Lim said. 

Programs will be conducted in English, but an interpreter will be present. Classes are two hours long and cost 5,000 won ($4.62) each. To apply, visit www.mizy.net.


By Kim Hee-jin [heejin@joongang.co.kr]

 

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2935962

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Thegogreenblog.com


April 22nd, 2011 was the 41st Earth day. Earth Day is the day designated for raising the awareness of individuals and conglomerates all over the world about the importance of conservation and protection of our planet, Earth.


This day was founded in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson and it is currently performed in 175 countries.  Unfortunately, despite the worldwide attention and attempts to lead nations to be more aware of environmental issues over the past decade, the Earth has always been in danger.

Effectsglobalwarming.blogspot



The U.S. Geological Survey Office affirmed that the reduction in sea ice in the Arctic can see a loss of 2/3rds of the entire word’s Polar Bear population over the next 50 years.

The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper, stated that the 5 Great Lakes of the U.S and Canada are shrinking “at an alarming pace”.


Ifsw.org


24,000 people die each year from a water shortage in the Middle East according to the BBC.


Frequent natural disasters in the recent years and Japan earthquake tells the world that our mother nature is asking for our help.  


It is obvious that individuals’ participation in preserving the earth and continuous concern over the environment will have a positive impact on the Earth even tough their involvement can not resolve the environmental problems overnight.


Since 1970,  many countries have taken part in fostering people's participation by hosting a wide variety of events in every April.  South Korea has also annually held many different events to commemorate the Earth day.

From April 16th to 22nd, various Earth Day events took place, encouraging a lot of people to be informed about the importance of conserving the earth. For instance, the Presidential Committe ‘Green Growth Korea’ announced ‘Green Week’ and hosted many different events in Seoul Plaza, Seoul. ‘Green Land’ and ‘Green playground’ were set, where children could learn about current eco-friendly technologies and environmental issues by experiencing a wide variety of entertaining games and booths. Bicycle generator campaign was hosted; people together generated electricity by riding bicycles.

 On top of this, on 22nd, ‘Unplugged Concert’ was held. No electronic devices or instruments were used in this concert. Participants brought their own instruments that are readily available in everyday life and played several songs together. A Korean male singer, Kim Jang Hoon, and a sing a song writer, Kim Hyun Chul were invited as guest-performers.

 

In addition, the 3rd The Aveda Walk for Water was held in cities all over the world during Earth Month to raise awareness about the water shortage problems around the world and fund for clean water in developing countries.

This year, the walk for water, annually held by Aveda Korea, took place in Cheonggye Plaza, Seoul  on April 23. Over hundreds of people came and participated in the walk for water in spite of cold weather. 

For this event, special guests came to join the walk.

 

(From the left) Choi Yeo Jin (model & actress) and Park Jin Hee (actress) came to take part in the walk. Sean, who is a member of a Korean hip-hop group, ‘Jinusean’ and well-known for his good deeds, also joined the walk for water.
 

Park Jin Hee said “Actually, we are not that aware of water shortage problems in South Korea. I think we, together need to put more efforts on saving the water in our daily life by spending less time in shower or reducing the intake of a surfactant which harms the environment.”

On this day, participants walked 6 kilometers which is the average distance that women in developing nations have to walk every day for clean water.
 

From these events, I learned that people have greater concern over the environment than I had expected.
On my way home after all the activities, it appeared to me that with people's consistent involvement and interest in environment, it is probable that our planet, which has been severely damaged by us over the past decade, will be gradually restored to its original condition and stay out of danger, posed by humans.

 

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       Back in 2010, Students from Concordia International School Shanghai, an American curricula-based international school located in Shanghai, China, had successfully held its annual project of Yunnan English Project, YEP, in Da Shan Bao, a rural town in Yunnan Province.

Local students from Da Shan Bao are posing for picture
What is YEP 2010?

       Yunnan Education Project is an annual project that aims provision of education and human care services in impoverished regions, where residents cannot enjoy educational and technological benefits that we take for granted. Three students of Concordia International School, following 10 students’ school service trip to the Yunnan Province, started the project in 2002. The project's original goal was to help minority children fund their education up to Grade 6. It has expanded to additional provinces in China, providing school buildings, school libraries, school materials, English language instruction, village water systems, leadership and health education, and high school scholarships.

      In 2010, Yunnan Education Project team, composed of 22 instructors and students, provided English education service in an impoverished rural town Da Shan Bao from January 23 to 29, 2010. Yirang Park, participant of 2010 Yunnan Education Project, commented on the trip, “We went to Da Shan Bao as teachers, but the kids inspired and taught us more with their beautiful smiles and unconditional love.”

A week in Da shan Bao

       I, as one of the participants of the 2010 Yunnan Education Project team, was in charge of teaching local students in Da Shan Bao basic English vocabularies. Showing enthusiasm and passion for learning, students were eager to note everything that my team members and I taught them. The lecture was held in the form of art class; team members and I distributed color papers and taught students how to fold origami. In the process of teaching origami, the local students naturally learned English vocabulary. Despite I had no experience in teaching students and organizing lectures, local student’s eagerness to learn gave me great support to continue the lectures for one week.

       After the one-week of service trip ended, Da Shan Bao village generously held festival to appreciate us and congratulate our successful English-teaching in Da Shan Bao local school. During the festival, a girl from the Da Shan Bao local school played Chinese traditional flute and I believed it would be the last time I hear from that girl.
      
Children in Da Shan Bao are posing infront of Camera (not a picture of the girl mentioned below)

Story heard from the Village

      After few days had passed after the Yunnan Education Project, an unfortunate story was delivered from the village to YEP team members; a 4th grade student in Da Shan Bao, who had played the Chinese traditional flute in the celebration festival, had lost her both parents by accident right after the YEP team had left the town. All the 2010 Yunnan Education Project team members and I gathered in a room and discussed how we can help the girl. Fortunately, after contacting with Concordia Charity Group, which is in charge of planning and processing YEP-related programs, for few times, the group gladly promised to take care of the girl, who now was staying with her brother and sister due to the absence of parents.

The Girl Now Stands by Herself

       After few months have passed since the 2010 YEP team members heard promise of Concordia Charity Group to take care of the girl, we could hear updated information regarding the girl from Concordia Charity Group. The girl who lost his parents due to the accident now attends a school outside of Da Shan Bao. The school that the girl now attends provides better quality of education and, best of all, dormitory that the girl can stay during weekdays. During weekend, the girl goes back to house provided by Concordia Charity Group and her aunt frequently visits her. Even though she feels lonely often times, she tries to maintain her bright personality.
      To a member of Concordia Charity Group, the girl told, “I am recently learning how to cook food, but I like the school cafeteria food better.” Mr. Chris Carter, the instructor of 2010 YEP team commented on the girl, “No one knows the end from the beginning. No one can know how the girl will grow, or what her future holds. However, the YEP members do know that, now, she has a future in education.  YEP members believe that there is no such thing as coincidence.  YEP members believe that the girl and the YEP English team were brought together in space and time for many reasons.  Surely, one of them was so that YEP members could show the power of selfless giving and love to the people of Da shan bao, and to a little girl.”

 Our Promise 
 
       2010 Yunnan Education Team has finished its mission of teaching Da Shan Bao local students English. However, while the annual gathering, all of the YEP members promised to never forget the girl and Da Shan Bao, and someday visit the village again to share those privileges that we enjoy due to better economic and technological environment. (Name of the girl is not specified for her privacy).



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 “It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” - Mark Twain

          Spring. What a magical word! It is so jolly and bouncy that just hearing the word makes you yearn for a picnic: cherry blossoms, sun bath, and club sandwich. You decide to spend golden weekend to enjoy the spring. Yet you should be careful not to waste your time. Living busy in Seoul, you shall find a proper place where you can both enjoy the spring and rest within the weekend. Here are some suggestions to less crowded and beautiful spots for your sparkling spring picnic.
 
SPOT 1. The Seoul National Cemetery’s Cherry Blossom
 

      
          Spring never discriminates people or place. The Seoul National Cemetery is covered with blooming flowers. The Seoul National Cemetery is the nation’s sanctuary where the martyred patriots rest in peace. Starting from April 13th to 19th, the Seoul National Cemetery held cherry blossom festival.
          Cherry blossoms in the Seoul National Cemetery are like Weeping Willows that have pendulous twigs. Unfortunately, when I visited the place on the 16th, cherry blossoms did not bloom fully. Still it was fascinating because the Seoul National Cemetery provided special events for visitors: mounted party’s patrol, martial music concert, etc.
          Even when the Cherry Blossom Festival is over, you can visit the Seoul National Cemetery and view bloomed flowers. Also if you are interested in memorial facilities, you can look around freely.

                      <How to visit the Seoul National Cemetery>
                         Subway - Get off at 'Dongjak' station of subway line No. 4 
                         Bus - Get off at 'Seoul National Cemetery' 
                                 Red Bus : 9408, 9412, 600 
                                 Blue Bus : 640, 642, 360, 361, 362, 363, 752 
                                 Green Bus : 4511, 5524, 6411


SPOT 2. CheongJu Musim cheon Cherry Blossom 


          CheongJu is located at southeast of Seoul. Musim cheon passes through CheongJu’s downtown. Ironically, despite the beautiful cherry blossom scenery of Musim cheon, CheongJu does not hold cherry blossom festival. Most of roadside trees along the river are cherry blossom trees. When I walked along the riverside, I thought I was walking through pink clouds. There is cycling and jogging path for citizens to exercise. At the park located along the Musim cheon, people can borrow roller skates, bikes, etc. and have fun for a while. 





                              <How to visit CheongJu Musim cheon>
 Seoul to CheongJu – take either intercity bus or express (takes about 1.5 hr.)
 CheongJu IC to Musim cheon - Walk 200m to the river

SPOT 3. Ssangyesa and JeongEup cheon
                      

          Unlike the previous two spots, Ssangyesa is very popular for its cherry blossoms. In other words, Ssangyesa is very crowded and also comparatively far from Seoul - JeongEup is located in the Southwest of Jeollabuk-do. But I strongly recommend these places for your big spring picnic. At Ssangyesa, you would be overwhelmed by the cherry blossoms on the cherry blossom street. Though the road is about 4km long, it seems too short to fully emerge into cherry blossom-clouds. Also, Ssangyesa itself is famous for its historical values. The temple consists of 22 regional treasures and 29 national treasures. Traditional temples and the mountain form beautiful harmony, too. Also, you can have a temple stay on every fourth Saturday. You only need to register online ahead. (http://www.ssanggyesa.net/)

          JeongEup cheon is another fantastic spot to enjoy cherry blossoms. Starting from JeonEup cheon to Naejang Mountain, cherry blossoms decorate roughly 16km long road – one of the longest cherry blossom street in Korea. Cherry blossoms form a flower tunnel. Between 7pm to 10pm, cars are not allowed to drive along the cherry blossom tunnel. So if you visit the place within that time, the street is yours!

          <How to visit Ssangyesa>
   KTX to JeongEup – Taxi to Ssangyessa
   Express bus to Hwagae – Take intercity bus to Ssangyesa from Hwagae bus terminal.


/ MIZY Youth Reporters Yeong-ran Ahn




 

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          What volunteer services are you involved in your spare time? Do you want to be involved? If you do, I’ll introduce you an organization suitable for you and if you do not want to be involved, I’ll inform you of a shocking news that will persuade you to participate in curing a cause. Having experienced this organization, I have realized the positive aspects of this organization and would like to recommend it rather than recommending an organization without experience and only based on facts.

         

          Did you know the fact that one person becomes blind every 5 seconds and one child becomes blind every minute? About 180 million people in the world have low vision and among them, 45 million are legally blind. Among these 45 million people, 80% of their blindness can be avoided by proper treatment or prevention. Also, 50% of this blindness are caused by cataract, which is curable through surgery. According to WHO, blindness from cataract will reach 50 million by 2020 and 90% of them will be from less developed countries. Their vision could be fully restored with only $120 of medical supplies and one fully equipped ophthalmologist team. (provided by WHO).
       


     There are many community service groups that work towards curing this issue. However, having experiences in one organization, I would like to deal with one organization in particular, which is Vision Care Service and its associate group, Vision Care Global Youth. 

     Vision Care Global Youth (VCGY) is under an adult organization Vision Care Service, which is an organization working along with IAPB under WHO. It promotes many eye sight restoring campaign inside their capability. They go on street campaigns where they can let others aware of this shocking news and receive donations. They also hold annual concerts in order to collect massive amounts of money that will be used for eye surgery of those who are in need. Also, there are small units who work in their schools. They use their lunch time and time after schools to let the cause be widely known and receive even the smallest donation including 100 won. 


          For students who are not yet ready to be out in the society, schools are a small version of the society that they could fulfill what they want. Therefore, they have campaigning activities in school in order to raise money. They know that school is not going to give them much money but it is most valuable experience. Even though this community service group was created in order to help blind people in Africa, it provides teenagers opportunities to be leaders pulling everything related to the organization together. 


          Vice President of theVCGY in Korea International School, Chloe Song, said “this activity has made me to earn more experience in leading other fellow students which is beneficial for my life because leadership is a helpful quality.”
          Member of VCGY, Peter Kim, has also stated “this community service provides experience valuable to everyone no matter what you would like to become because there are variety of work needed including designing to keep financials organized.” 

          Many members of VCGY feel satisfied with their work and the thought that they are saving someone pleases them.  Anyone willing to help support this cause could visit the website www.vcgy.org.

 

 

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