▲ Volunteer work program group picture in Save our School Children Foundation Inc., Baguio, Philippines

The ST Division of Charity & Volunteering at SeoulTech conducted a volunteer work program in the Philippines from January 16 to 21.

The slogan of the volunteer program was ‘Educating Kids is a Work of Heart.’ This project was designed by the Office of Student Affairs and Services at SeoulTech and based on the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between SeoulTech and UST Angelicum College in 2022.

 

Through the REAP (Re-entry Education Agenda for the Poor) program, Angelicum University provides free basic education for out-of-school youths and young people, including students in lowincome families and students affected by domestic violence and human trafficking. The REAP program is a representative social contribution project based on participation and collaboration between universities and local communities.

The education program was conducted for 9 to 24-year-old students at Yamanni San Martin De Porres Inc. and Save Our School Children Foundation Inc. in Bustos and Baguio, Philippines, among the REAP Program partner institutions at Angelicum University. The training consisted of Korean language education (Team Ari-Ari), mathematics education with games and experiments (Team SumThink), Korean culture and history education (Team Back to the Future & Team Liwanag Daon), and art and communication education. (Team VDVDVib)

Before the volunteer team went to the Philippines, they completed an orientation program consisting of human rights education, multicultural sensitivity education, and safety education. The participants of the volunteer program had time to understand differences in culture, race, and social norms of other countries, and this enabled meaningful cultural exchanges between SeoulTech students and Filipino people.

This overseas volunteer program is SeoulTech's first volunteer program to be held abroad since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic. It holds a special meaning in that it fostered a sense of community and participation through collaborating with partner organizations. It is also noteworthy that the students participating in the volunteer work planned and prepared the overall educational content themselves.

The ST Division of Charity & Volunteering successfully completed the volunteer work program and held a closing ceremony on February 6 after reflecting on the contents and achievements of each individual and group.

 

Taehee Kim, Ph.D, Associate Dean at the Office of Student Affairs and Services & Vice Dean of ST Division of Charity & Volunteering said, "Volunteering is not just about helping others. It's also an opportunity for personal growth. I really hope this winter volunteer program in the Philippines provided a unique opportunity for our students to connect with the global community and to apply their knowledge, skills, and passion in a meaningful way for a good social cause. I would like to encourage students to explore many other opportunities for volunteering in their local communities. By giving back to our communities, we can make positive and enduring change."

 

Seyeon Baek, the Student Vice Representative added "It was a big pleasure to create greater value with the children in the blind spot of education by sharing my knowledge and skills and helping children through the service. Although there were many variables while planning and preparing the program in an uncertain situation, we solved problems wisely and we learned how strong the power of 'teamwork’' is through communication and cooperation."

Reporter,

Seunghoe Koo rokeet@seoultech.ac.kr

Reporter 구승회

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• e-mail : rokeet@seoultech.ac.kr