[Reflection] Hwanho Lee - What I have Learned

When I first read through the club descriptions, Green Tree immediately stood out to me. I was drawn to the idea of making a difference in young people’s lives. At the start of the year, I joined the yearbook club to explore my creativity and hang out with friends, but my interest in Green Tree and its meaningful projects just kept growing. Hearing Eunseo, the club leader, talk about our projects and seeing other members’ excitement made me feel a strong pull to be part of something focused on positive change. The club’s mission—organizing events, volunteering, and raising awareness—really resonated, so I made the decision to switch clubs, and I’m so glad I did.

What drives me in Green Tree is the kindness and sincerity of our club leaders. Their passion and dedication make every project feel important, and I feel like I’m contributing to something meaningful, no matter how small my role may be. Knowing that our work supports underprivileged children keeps me motivated and reminds me why Green Tree’s mission matters.

For me, it’s not just about the activities we do; it’s about the community and support we build together. Being part of Green Tree has taught me a lot about social responsibility, teamwork, and empathy. Each project has opened my eyes to the challenges many people face and deepened my commitment to helping others. This experience has not only allowed me to be part of meaningful change but has also enriched my life with lessons that will stick with me well beyond high school. I’m proud to be part of such a group, and I’m excited to see everything we’ll accomplish in the future.

In the coming years, I hope we can include more activities that help the kids at the Life-Giving Tree Organization grow and build a sense of belonging. Creative art projects where they can express their emotions, group discussions on values like kindness and resilience, and even outdoor activities or nature walks could be amazing ways to boost their confidence and social skills. I’d love for our events to nurture their emotional, mental, and social growth while also building a solid support system around them.

Helping underprivileged people starts with understanding the challenges they face and offering genuine support wherever possible. Volunteering at local shelters, donating essentials, providing educational resources, or mentoring can make a huge difference. Even small actions, like raising awareness within our communities, can have a real impact. For lasting change, we should also push for policy changes that tackle issues like income inequality and improve access to education, healthcare, and affordable housing.

Supporting social programs that help people become self-sufficient, promoting fair job opportunities, and strengthening social safety nets are key steps. In the big picture, structural changes are essential to address systemic inequalities. Governments need to invest more in education, healthcare, and housing, while businesses and communities can work together to create fair and inclusive opportunities. By committing to these long-term goals, we can make a real difference in underprivileged communities and move toward a fairer, more equitable society.