[Reflection] Junghyuk Yang - Creating Opportunities and Lasting Memories

The main reason I decided to join Green Tree is that, even though I wanted to help others, I never had the chance to do real volunteer work. In my Korean middle school, all our “volunteer” opportunities were pretty limited—most of the time, we just wrote reflections after watching a video. I wanted to be part of something hands-on, where I could directly put my efforts, so joining the Green Tree Club felt like the perfect opportunity.

One thing I’d love to do at Green Tree is take underprivileged kids to places they don’t often get to go, like the zoo or amusement parks. Since many of these children rarely have the chance to visit these kinds of places, I’d like to help give them those experiences and create special memories for them. I think these outings could be moments they look back on fondly and feel a sense of excitement and joy.

In my view, supporting underprivileged people starts with paying more attention to what they truly need and being willing to lend a helping hand. Whether it’s through direct volunteer service, providing food, or offering educational support, we all have a role in helping them. But it shouldn’t just stop with individual efforts. I think the government and society need to be more active in supporting underprivileged people through strong social policies and programs.

More than just meeting their immediate needs, I believe the government should focus on empowering these individuals to become self-sufficient. By helping them build skills and creating opportunities for sustainable living, we can work towards giving underprivileged people the tools to improve their quality of life and reach their full potential.