[Reflection] Juhwan Song - Towards a Brighter Future: Service, Friendship, and Promise

Volunteering with friends makes the experience twice as enjoyable compared to doing it alone. I’ve always been interested in volunteering, so I’ve tried other activities like stage cleaning, translating Korean for overseas Koreans, mentoring, and cooking meals at school for people with disabilities. My goal is to reach as many hours of volunteering as I can.

The kids from the Life-Giving Tree Organization bring me joy and a sense of accomplishment, knowing I’m doing something to help others. There’s a special energy that kids have, and it always lifts my spirits. However, they can also be a handful when they wander off without permission, and I have to keep a constant eye on them since I’m responsible for their safety. During a visit to the Seoul Zoo, the kids stuck close to me and enjoyed staying together, but I still felt anxious about losing track of someone. It was nice to be surrounded by them, but the worry of keeping them safe was always in the back of my mind.

One thing I’d love to do with the kids in the future is take them to an amusement park. I think their energy and excitement in that setting would be contagious, and I know they’d love it too. 

I’m also interested in doing a perfume-making activity with them. Scents can say a lot about someone’s personality, and I’m curious about the different personalities among the kids. Since kids often have similar traits, it would be interesting to see how they express themselves through scent.

To truly support underprivileged people, we need to show interest in their challenges and find ways to help. We could organize fundraisers or spread awareness about the difficulties they face. In the future, improving access to quality education would enhance future prospects of the children of these communities. Providing scholarships and online resources would help them gain skills for better job opportunities. Another area we could support is caring for mental health. If people in these communities feel lonely or want someone to talk to, we could offer not only counseling but also companionship. Spending time with them and sharing positive experiences could help them relieve stress and feel connected.

Ultimately, even small acts of kindness and support can really work, and by collaborating together, we can help create brighter futures for those who need it most.