Unforgettable days-Yeun-Soo Kim (korea)

My 2009 summer was fantastic thanks to special experience I went through. Every single day was like a magical fairytale for me. I did not expect being a part of volunteer in Eden could make my life much richer and more colorful. I still remember the question which Joseph (one of the volunteers who led the morning devotion) left for us to think over and reflect ourselves, that was “which color can represent last year of you?” As we were all taking turns to answer the question, mine was “white” which refers to meaningless with no color. Looking back my past days of last year, everything I had faced upon were all ups and downs and revolving discouraging thoughts and minds. Without figuring out the reason why-now I suppose probably because of the same old routine of my years of Beijing life- I always had felt I had no faith as if my lifetime dream seemed to slip farther away from reality. Therefore I have always needed a quick-fix or a boost for myself. In other words, I desperately wanted some energy to restart and be freshened up in order to prevent the further defeat of discouragement.

To say the truth, the reason I wanted to apply for this program is merely to add more words in my previous career section as to get extra remark when I get to write a resume for future career. Normally when it comes to serving a voluntary work, a person has to bring up his own will and devotion from the bottom of heart to take part in. For me, applying and deciding to do volunteer service was simply a compulsory choice which will give me advantages. I had arrived Taiwan blindly. From the day I got in Taipei, I just thought about to pass the time hoping time will fly. With the behind story of mine, my 09’ summer began to contribute the greatest surprise with no other expectation which turns out to actually gave me the most unforgettable memories.

If someone asks me what is the most grateful thing during the five weeks of program? Then I will answer both having an opportunity to get to know the people through Eden and lessons I have learnt from it.

Speaking of the day when each one of volunteers met for the very first time. We were just all strangers to each others. I had not even imagined how close we would get. As the time went by, we slowly opened our heart and got to know each other. I have always believed that people who volunteer to help others are decent with warm heart and it opened out a proof before my eyes from the moment I started working. Since we were belonging to small community which so-called teamwork has to be applied, we had positive influence on everyone and also helped each other to persist in following the inexperienced living pattern and corresponding actions, especially when we were organizing various classes for kids. By helping each other out, we had come to gain inspiration from people and also we were spurred on by what others do to obtain the energy that knows no limit. Also when it comes to working in the field, we functioned ourselves as stimulation for each other. Therefore we came to know how to freshen up ourselves with positive attitude which surely led us to the finest condition even if we were all exhausted and went through hardships. The lessons I have got from getting along with them are one of most necessary elements when people get to enter a society where everything is about working with “people.” It really did double the effectiveness-the relationship and work efficiency. We became like a whole family. Now I am thinking that the more we got close to each other, the more the atmosphere of field had gained in intimacy. This led us to be more active in the field as well as the children were into every single class we took.

In addition, looking at those kids who live in inferior surroundings, I have learnt how to appreciate things around me. The churches we went to serve volunteer services were located in rural district; therefore most of children who came to take classes were not raised abundantly. They were so pure and naïve, they were impressed by the trivial around of daily life, they were wearing big smiles on their faces all the time. Their happy faces were beautiful enough to make me forget all the unnecessary anxiety derived from exhausting life cycle. Seeing them and getting along with little angles made all of us feel as if we were kids again back in the days. I came to realize how happy I am and how content my life is. I gradually got to be thankful to every little petty thing and came to know helping others brings overflowing joy to myself and others as well.

People cannot live alone. Life is all about people. Our life glorifies by helping each other out. Therefore it is absolutely true that we have to share love as much as we can. The most important thing I have learnt is that volunteer service is not one-sided activity which merely giving a hand of you, it had to be done by both sides with an idea of sharing and gathering. Also volunteer service only works when the respect and love take place. Serving without those two elements is playing the hypocrite. Although people just participate the volunteer service without wanting something such as getting paid, we have to realize that we rather pay the price called “love” as volunteer. Because serving the volunteer work comes about to putting ourselves in other people’s shoe therefore for us, it is required to acquire modesty, tolerance, understanding and communication. Not to say that we come to pursue healthy personality spirit by possessing positive mind, getting taught from people who need a hand and broadening our mind. Through this five-week of program I just want to roughly define the volunteer work based on my understanding and lessons. The genuine value of this work has to be planned deliberately; it cannot be happened by accident. It needs a solemn promise beforehand. I have no doubt that this kind of opportunity has brought me not just a lifetime experience but also a chance for me to grow into a better me. Plus I believe this would boost me with a great power and inspiration whatever I do in the future. I sincerely hope this experience that many kids and visual impairments shared could remain in their heart forever and ever.

Anyone can do a volunteer service but it is not a thing that everyone can do. Only who practices what he/her had advocated can do the work. And I want to tell people who have not yet experienced that “all you guys have to do is just open your heart and put it in your practice, and then you would see the whole different world in your life.”

Summer in Taiwan-Won Ji Young(Korea)

Last summer, I made a decision which would change my life a lot. Air plane took off, and soon, I arrived in Taiwan. AIESEC of Taiwan University sent a friend to pick up us. Arriving in Taipei, more friends were there to help us. Asking some questions kindly, they tried to help us not to be so nervous. As Taiwan’s climate is marine tropical, it was too wet and too hot. When I arrived at the company, Eden Welfare Foundation, and participated in orientation, I was a little surprise, because almost everything was different from what I thought. Actually what we had to do was not office work, but was voluntary work. Receiving no informative e-mail, I was a little unhappy. And then, AIESECers brought us to Wang grandmother’s home-stay. I and Kim would never forget Wang grandmother’s family who were very kind to us. And we started fall in love with Taiwan.

Soon, we left Taipei and reached in Tainan. Actually our workplace was unbelievably backward facilities and environment. When we reached home we would stay in, we just couldn’t believe that. Being unsatisfied with everything, my life in Taiwan began just like that. 

I remember my first day till now. When I first saw little kids coming inside, my unhappiness disappeared at once. But despite my mind, I just didn’t know how to get along with them at first. Soon, a girl came to me and said, “I want to play with you.”

They were really lovely. Different from the kids I used to meet, they never had unbalanced diet. Actually even I sometimes didn’t eat meal because it was disagreeable food. They easily smiled, easily laughed, easily became happy and easily turned sulky. They were honest to their feelings and they could express their true heart to everybody. I taught them English, Korean language, culture and some other things. I was worried if they couldn’t be interested in them. But they were always ready to accept what we taught. In my opinion, they were thirst after knowledge that adults around them couldn’t teach.

When I participated in the second activity, I met a special friend. When I was preparing teaching material in internet, she was looking at me. She said she wanted me to be her friend. She was from Southeast Asia and was 4 years older than me. She told me that she got married even before her high school graduation. As a mother of three children, she often looked very tired, but she came every day and listened our small lectures. I gave my special love to her 3-year-old daughter named “Yu Ting”. Even now, I sometimes think of Yu Thing and miss her lovely smile very much. At second activity, men and women lived together. After work, we sometimes drank beer and listened to music (Max was our D.J and Joseph loved Michael Jackson’s songs) One day, Amado taught us romantic dance and we really enjoyed that. Frankly speaking, we just ran and ran without any rest even in weekend, and we were tired so much. I am strongly sure that the power made us endure was our friendship and of course, passion. Before, I never believed people from different countries can become good friend just in a month.

In the third activity, more volunteers and more little kids participated in it. In there, I met my special friend, J.D who was from India. He had different culture from us. (Even more different from Latin America’s) But it was not that difficult to become his friend. (And I miss him a lot) Sometimes I and Kim provided friends with food we brought from Korea. When an activity finished, especially when the third activity finished, I cried a lot. Actually it was a little cruel for us to say good-bye each other. We said good-bye to our lovely angels, and also to our colleagues.

When I faced to the last activity, I was worried about them if they would accept us easily or not. But different from our worries, they never guarded against us -- actually they were even more active and outgoing than us. And the most surprise thing for me was they were really smart. (As their eyes don’t work very well, their other four senses are really well-developed.) So their hearing skills and memorizing skills were unbelievable. Actually at the last activity, my condition was so bad. I caught a bad cold and got sickness in my eyes. Even though I often took a rest inside a room, nobody argued about that, but they just worried about my health and took care of me. On Cultural Festival’s day, we decided to cook our traditional dishes and served them. It was not easy to cook food in the hot place, but now it became unforgettable memory. We really hoped they could see pictures that we prepared and could see the colors of food we cooked, and that made us a little sad. We tried to explain everything detail by detail in the most effective way, so that they could imagine what they heard or what they ate. We prepared a small farewell concert together for the last day. When we created dance, we teachers didn’t know how to express a shape of heart. But children did that! Not only I but also others were surprised by their creative thoughts. Although the reason why I met them was to teach them, actually being taught was I.

At first, I and Kim used to say “Only 3 days passed, only 4 days passed……”, But later, we used to say “Only 4 days left, only 3 days left……”

In addition, I met three nice leaders in the program – John, Catherine, and Jocelyn. They were supportive, warm-hearted, and understanding leaders. They were like close sisters or brother outside the work, but they never lost charisma when they worked. I learned “what are the qualities of the good leader”.

Even I’m now in China for my study, I always dream about my Taiwan life. Thank every little lovely kids, friends, AIESECers and people from Eden end.

They are all different. They have all different environments, thoughts, personalities and characteristics. But also, they are all same. Little kids love to sing, love to sing, love to smile, love to cry, dance, love to sleep after lunch, love to play, love to learn, and love to touch “哥哥姐姐” ‘ hearts; and they are really good at those. And they really need our love. Frankly speaking, I have regretted till now – “I should have hugged them more. I should have spent more time with them. I should have listened to them more.” Some of them are love-starved children and that made me hurt since I thought they are little angels.

Through the AIESEC EP program, I learned various things that I would never get from the book, and I’m pretty sure that things will help me to find the reason why I exist in here, the world, and what do I have to do here. Whenever I face to misery, I will think of this experience so that I will get power to overcome that.

Good Experience in Taiwan --Yamashita(Japan)

Hello, Everyone

I would like to tell you our good experience here in Taiwan. I came from Japan on 31st July and worked as a volunteer.

In Japan, I major in education in my university. I will be a teacher in the future. So, I came to Taiwan to learn educational system, social work and cultural understanding.
After I got arrived in Taipei we volunteer team went to Kaoshing and worked for kindergarten. There were lots of disabled children. In the school we had classes and told children our culture and played with them. Teachers and volunteers of this school were very kind and they showed me how to make good relationships with students, how to teach them and how to develop them. I cannot speak Chinese and my English skill is very poor and those students who have heavy disabilities cannot speak and cannot walk by themselves, so of course it is very difficult for us to communicate with disabled children, but I`m very happy when I see their smiling.
What should I do to keep their smiling?
How can I help them?
Only kind mind from the kind people can help disabled children, I think.

Till the end of this internship, I want to study and learn more and more.

After I get back to Japan, I would like to share this experience with my parents, my friends and lots of young people. I want to give them the opportunities to think about society. Thorough this I hope they will be interested in social problem and most of them can make good solutions in the future.

Social work for Eden -ken(Malaysia)

Hello there!

First and foremost I must send my condolence to the whole of Taiwan, 88 Typhoon from what I heard is one of the most devastating typhoon in 50 years. It took away many beloved ones and destroyed parts of Taiwan, but I believe… I strongly believe the burning passion in every Taiwanese would be able to overcome this unfortunate event and rebuild for a better tomorrow.台湾加油！

Back in Malaysia, we have no natural disasters, and I’m very grateful for that after experiencing typhoon in Taipei City. I went out for lunch, the streets were empty, the whole place was really quiet, and weather got really unpredictable. Imagine really big droplets pouring down and suddenly stops, and then it drizzles, wind starts blowing really strong, you can see that the cars are shaking. What really stun me was, the magnitude of the strength of the wind is considered pretty low in Taipei compared with Southern regions of Taiwan!!! Let’s all pray for the situation in Southern Areas to get better as soon as possible.

Social work for Eden is AWESOME! I and my team had a great time in Kaohshiung, assisting pre-elementary teachers in teaching, feeding children with disabilities, cleaning up flooded office and centre. I’m really impressed with the way the teachings are done, teachers offers help to the children with disabilities only when it is really needed, even when they start crying, the teachers will just go nearer to encourage them, cause they know they can do better, they make sure they will be able to be as independent as possible so they can cope with life as they grow older. No Pain No Gain. As volunteer we teach some of the languages we know to the students, encourage them to be more enthusiastic about learning! It was a really fun and wonderful experience working there.


And one more thing, never ever hesitate to ask the locals you’re working with to bring you around. The pre-elementary teachers brought us to Night Market, an extremely hot spot for Taiwanese in case you don’t know, they just love it. It’s crazy, Night Market are so crowded! All the best snacks in Taiwan are there, they sell so many stuffs there and they have mini games provided. Entertainment, shopping, great food and drinks all at one spot. There are countless number of Night Markets in Taiwan and very accessible with MRT.

On the 2nd week, we are placed at Danshui, one of the districts in Taipei at the farther north side of Taiwan. Basically, we did painting and taking care of physically disabled people there. It was saddening to see people once like you and me, got involved in accidents and their whole life changed. However, they stay optimistic, they still enjoy life like they used to and not whine about it, they tell you stories of their past, they are all more than willing to share their experience with you. They joke around with the social workers looking after them, it creates a different atmosphere; filled with laughter and not solemn at all, and you can feel that the people here are really closely bonded.

We, people with perfect limbs should embrace our life more than ever; share our love with the needy, care for them. Happiness is only real when shared. My experience so far as a social work for Eden in Taiwan is only a beginning; I’m hoping there will be more cultures of Taiwan to be learnt, more places to be visited and most importantly, more faces to put a smile upon. =)


　

2009 International Volunteer list

Thanks all the volunteers participate the 2 months activities

"We come from different nations

We exchange ideas and cultural experiences

We endeavor to change the world with love and care for the needy

We work hard an play hard

We treasure the moment

we get together We are 2009 Eden International Volunteer "

	Amado_Cerrud_Barrios
	Panama
	National Cheng Kung University

	Dante F.Recalde Melo
	Paragua
	National Cheng Kung University

	Agustin Escobar
	Paragua
	National Cheng Kung University

	Jaideep Pathania
	India
	Lovely Professional University

	Hakki Caner Kirmizi
	Turkey
	National Taiwan University

	Joseph Cherng
	Canada
	McGill University

	Ryosuke Yamashita
	Japan
	Kwansei Gakuin University

	Moo Hou Chuen
	Malaysia
	Sunway University College

	Max Pongsawat Wallace
	New Zealand
	University of Canterbury, Christchurch

	Yeun Soo Kim
	Korea
	Tsinghua University,Beijing

	Won Ji Young
	Korea
	Tsinghua University,Beijing

	Bharti Goyal
	India
	Lovely Professional University