USA Intern Volunteers Presentation

On August 2008, 7 intern volunteers from USA came back to Gwangju, South Korea. The USA intern volunteers made their presentation on last September 26, 2008. The program started at 4.30 PM. The chairman, Mr. Yun Kwang Gwan gave his opening remarks.

Below was the order of presentation:
1. Ryu Jei Jun / Korean American Resource and Cultural Center
2. Park Hun Mo / Korean American Resource and Cultural Center
3. Yang In Hwa / Rainbow Center, Inc
4. Kim Seng / Rainbow Center, Inc
5. Kim Ha Na / Rainbow Center, Inc
6. Yim Kwang Jun / Korean Resource Center
7. Chui Ha Na / Korean Resource Center

Some family members, parents, siblings of intern volunteers came and gave support to their children’s presentation. The parents were very proud with their children and the support from the parent is important.

Yang In Hwa, the youngest intern volunteers in USA. She was just 21 years old when she became an intern at Rainbow Center, USA. For her, the internship program was a step for her growing up. First time she arrived at Rainbow Center, she felt inept. Time goes by and after 2 weeks, she felt like real member and enjoyed her time. In her internship program, she saw and was touched with the struggle and sacrifices of some people who shared with the others who are in need of help.

The Sisters would cook for us rather than themselves, the participants in the alteration and tailoring class took turns preparing snacks for the class and sharing them together, and other good examples. She was surprised when seeing Korean Americans who were, themselves struggling to make a living in a foreign land, support, and make donations to share with other Korean Americans who are less fortunate. She considers it as a precious time being an intern at the Rainbow Center. She learned to be a person who can share her time and energy like other volunteers does.

Kyung Choi was an intern also at Rainbow Center. On September 4, 2007 it was a historical day for her. At that day, Rainbow Center held a documentary film screening. She watched the movies “And Thereafter” and “Me and Owl”. First movie was a story about a Korean military bride, and the second story was about an American military camp town sex-workers in Korea. Before she watched the 2 movies her premise was help interracially married Korean women in crisis at Rainbow Center, but it changed. Two weeks as an intern, she did not know what to do and learn. Little by little, she felt and learn precious things.

The internship program changed the opinion and thinking patterns of most of the volunteers in Asia and USA. It is a good program for the students and youth to see and feel life in other country which is different culture from theirs. As interns, they work at the NGO who serve for other people who need their love and care.

This year, there were 5 volunteers sent to USA. We hope that their internship will also create an impact in their lives to become better person.


link:
http://www.518.org/

Asia Intern Volunteers Presentation

The May 18 Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization established on August 30th, 1994 by the surviving victims of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, the victims families, and the citizens of Gwangju.

The Foundation aims to:

1. Commemorate as well as continue the spirit of struggle and solidarity of the May 18 Uprising;

2. Contribute to the peaceful reunification of Korea;

3. Work towards peace and human rights throughout the world.

Since its establishment, the Foundation has carried out numerous projects in various fields, including organizing memorial events, establishing scholarships, fostering research, disseminating information to the public, publishing relevant materials, dispensing charity and welfare benefits, building international solidarity, and awarding The Gwangju prize for Human Rights.

The Foundation opens an opportunity for students and youth to become volunteer. Twice each year they can apply to the Foundation. This is one way to introduce and continue the spirit of struggle and solidarity of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising by the student and youth as the next generation.

The volunteers were involved with the Foundation’s activities (domestic and international events), like: the Gwangju International Peace Forum, the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, the Nanjang-Human-Free Concert, Red Festa, etc.

The Foundation also provides program for the volunteers. One of the programs is an opportunity for the volunteers to be sent abroad and work as an intern with NGO in Asia and USA. At least 10 volunteers are sent each year through a process of selection.

In 2007, the Foundation sent 5 volunteers to Asia and 7 volunteers to USA. On May 2008, intern volunteers from Asia came back to Gwangju, South Korea.

Last June 27, 2008 at 4 PM until 6.30 PM, the former intern volunteers made their presentation at the video room. They presented a situation in the country they were assigned and their work at NGO in each country; including their feelings. With their presentation, they were able to share their experiences to other volunteers and staff of the Foundation.

These are the summary from each intern volunteers:

I. Hwang Jiyeon

Through the internship program, the May 18 Memorial Foundationdispatched student volunteer to the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC),where I have worked as an intern until May, 2008. The UPC is anNGO in Indonesia that works with the urban poor and other marginalized groups and international volunteers to solve Indonesian urban povertyproblems. To defend the rights of the urban poor, it aims to developstrong people's organizations and networks, through which they canreclaim their right to live healthy and safely as human beings in theCity of Jakarta.The goal of UPC is grassroots empowerment through advocacy,organizing and networking. The grassroots organizing programs isdivided into alternative health care, children's learning and savingthrough garbage recycling. There are 32 communities managed by the UPCin Jakarta. I would like to be of help to children in the urban poorcommunities and work with the members of children's learning groups. Iusually visited the children's learning groups in 19 poor communitiesin Jakarta and participated in weekly meetings in the communities withteachers from each children's learning group. I started toinvestigate child abuse problems in poor families. I hope my researchdata could be adopted to improve children's condition in urban poorfamilies.

II. Chohee

Chohee’s presentation was divided into 3 parts, which were:

1. What is Forum-Asia. This part told about the organization.

2. As an Intern at the Forum-Asia and Earthright International for 8 months.

3. Other activities in Thailand.Chohee shared all her experiences in Thailand.

She was happy because she could share with other people.

III. Kim Yo An

Yoan was an intern at EMPOWER, Malaysia. Yoan’s presentation was divided into 2 parts, which were:

1. General introduction Malaysia and specific human rights situation of Malaysia.

2. Local NGOs dealing with those specific human rights situation.

As an intern, Yoan helped the creation of EMPOWER’s website and other works.

IV. Kang Donghun

Nepal has been setting up the peace process since the agreement on the cease-fire of civil war between government and Maoists. Moreover, it decided to demolish old monarchy and to become a democratic republican country after the Constituent assembly election. People in Nepal, however, are still suffering various types of human rights violations such as bomb explosion, beating, human trafficking, abduction, murder and displacement, etc.Due to Maoists’ winning on the Constituent assembly election; they have been accused of violating human rights for the last 10 years, the international communities are concerned with their human rights records.INSEC has been working for the establishment of peace and stable political condition in Nepal as an advisory organization for 20 years and mostly concentrated on the election during my internship, in 2007 and 2008.I had been assigned for CAAFAG (Children Affiliated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups) at first. I participated in many group meetings and was trained in some programs relating to the issue. Moreover, I was sent to some districts to interview human rights activists and children and to contingents of Maoists in Dang.The other main affair was working as an international observer for the Constituent assembly election. Since the release of the code of conduct for the election, I and interns in INSEC have monitored and researched on the election. Once I was dispatched to Rolpa, the original place of Maoist, for a fact-finding mission when two cadres of Maoists were murdered by unidentified group.

For this year, the Foundation sent 11 volunteer abroad. As the next generation, the volunteer have responsibility for keep and always commemorate the history of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. They must understand what is happening in Asia and relate it with the ideas of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.

Intern volunteers from USA (7 people) will come on August 2008 and they will also make their presentation.

link:

http://www.518.rg/

Volunteering for KONA (Korean Organization of Natural Approach)

Today, Monday (September 29, 2008) I attended a program at a Wolbong Middle School with Prof. Kim of KONA Story Book Centre, Mr. Pete Rahon, and Mr. Thet Din. I left the office at around 9 AM and met Prof. Kim at the school.

Thet Din (Cambodia), Pete Rahon (Philippines), Prof.Kim (Korea), Gregoria (Indonesia)

On the program, we were representative from the May 18 Memorial Foundation. The program had 2 sessions:

1. Session I, it started at 9.45 AM until 11 AM. The audiences were the parents. In this session, Prof. Kim made a presentation about KONA Story Book Centre. We made story map to show the parents how and its usefulness. The participants got a kit which has paper and some English lessons.

2. Session II, it was started at 11.00 M until 12 PM. Aside from the parents, some students also attended this session. This session is about the lesson. There were some discussion between the speaker and the audience.

KONA Story Book Centre also exhibited some pictures, books, journals, and their program in the corridor of the school so the students could see and learn.

It was a good opportunity for the parents to know methods for their children to learn English. From the speakers, we had known some interesting study methods for children. It was an enriching experience for me attended the program, even I did not understand all the materials because they used Korean.

At 12 AM we had lunch with the parents and we were introduced to the students before they had their lunch. We arrived at the office around 1 PM.

Links:

http://www.518.org/

http://www.wolbong.ms.kr/

http://www.yurinuri.com/

My Reflection of the 2008 Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School

On August 11-28, 2008 the May 18 Memorial Foundation organized the 2008 Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School (the 2008 GAHRFS). The venue was in Chosun University.

There were 23 participants from 12 countries in Asia, they were: Afghanistan (1), Bangladesh (2), Cambodia (2), Indonesia (2), India (2), Malaysia (1), Nepal (2), Pakistan (1), Philippines (4), Sri Lanka (2), Taiwan (2), and Thailand (2).
Participants were divided into 3 levels: Senior members (4), Middle managers (9), and Junior staff (10). For Senior members they had presentation for Middle managers and Junior staff. The programs for the senior members also finished on August 28, 2008, while both the Junior staff and Middle managers stayed from August 11-23, 2008.
Joining the 2008 Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School I gained and learned a lot of things.
I have met, known, learned, and shared knowledge, experiences, and culture with participants. We spent a lot of time together.

From the lectures in class, I learn a lot about Korean democratization, and also democracy, human rights, and peace situation in Asia. Aside from the materials of lecturers, I also learned about how to give a good presentation in the class and other technical works.

Korean history focused on May 18 Democratic Uprising was a good example for us as human rights activists and defenders of human rights. It showed how the people in Gwangju in 1980 struggled to fight for democracy. All people included man and woman, students and workers, and from all groups gathered in Geunamno street. All united and helped one another. Until now, the spirit of 1980 is memorialized and keep growing on the hearts of Gwangju people.
I had some good points from some lecturers, there were:

1. To reach the target or wish, it needs patient and resoluteness. Professor Georgy Katsiaficas in his class he said that the longer time you struggle for democracy, the better product it will have.

2. As activists and human rights defenders, we don’t have to always arraign of things from other people, but it is start from our self first. How we can build our self as a good person and always with the awareness of our circles.

3. Culture and candle light demonstration are good way for expression of our felings. Demonstrations should not always be about street and violence. Peaceful rallies will involve all class or groups like students, children, etc.

4. Korean women movement were very strong, especially nowadays. Their struggle is a good example for every woman in the world.

From participants, I learned a lot about the situation of democracy, human rights, and peace situation in Asia. Especially when they had presentation about their countries situation. They were really eager for learn and share. Participants also had good sense of camaraderie, just a few days of meeting but solidarity and cooperation among them were already strong.
I also had good times with other participants during sport time, field trip to some historical places, home stay with Korean family, and picnic in the last day. During sport time, we had games. It was really fun and enjoyable. I had chance to join home stay for one day, we went to some traditional places and also joined the candle lights demonstration at Civil Park. In the last day, we had picnic to Boseong tea plantation and the beach. We stayed one night and had cultural night. In the cultural night, participants presented their cultural dance, songs, games, etc.

Some of the presentations were boring, because the lecturer just talked and sometimes their voice and articulation were not clear at the back of the class. From lecturers, I learned how to make a good environment in the class when we have presentation. From the beginning we already start by question-answer with participants. It will make discussion continuing. It more better also if we mergered theory with example in real life, and also put some pictures or videos. In class, mostly the discussions time were just a few. It would be more better to have a lot of time for sharing and discussion.

During the 2008 GAHRFS I made good relation and cooperation with my team (Culture and Solidarity Team). We learn and completemented each other. Every events since the 2008 Gwangju International Peace Forum, the 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, and other events, we always gained something even in happy and bad times.
As an International Intern at the May 18 Memorial Foundation, I helped some works related to the program. As a host, I learn a lot how we can organize and coordinate the program. How we must prepare anything earlier. The important is communication between host and to participants. As a host we also must respect and understand different cultures of participants.

The 2008 Gwangju Asian Human Rights was a good event for activists and human rights defenders in Asia. In this event they meet, learn, and share their knowledge, experiences, and culture. Their communications were not finish after the event, but with internet world they still can meet, learn, and share with each other. With this event, they made a new network for democracy, human rights, and peace in Asia and also in the world.

links:

http://www.518.org/

http://www.518folkschool.blogspot.com/

http://www.518interns.blogspot.com/

518 Deploy Volunteers to Asia and United States

The May 18 Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization established on August 30th, 1994 by the surviving victims of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, the victims families, and the citizens of Gwangju.

Since it establishment, the Foundation has carried out numerous projects in various fields, including organizing memorial events, establishing scholarships, fostering research, disseminating information to the public, publishing relevant materials, dispensing charity and welfare benefits, building international solidarity, and awarding The Gwangju prize for Human Rights.

Every year the Foundation opens volunteer opportunity for students and youth. Twice in a year during the month of March and November they can apply as volunteer. This system started since 2004 and as years go by become more systematic.

The Foundation open this opportunity for volunteers to be educated about the significant of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. When they join as volunteer in the Foundation, they can learn about the history, spirit of the struggle, and practice to be an activist.

The requirements to be the volunteer is not difficult, everyone can apply but mostly the Foundation accept university students. Before becoming a volunteer, they must attend the education program for 1 month: history education, tour to historical places, make a project in group, etc. Only after they have finished all education programs will they become volunteer of the Foundation. After they finished one year as volunteer, the Foundation will give them certificate.

Tour to Historical Places

Liberty Park

May 18 Cemetery

The work system is not strict. Normally, they just come to the Foundation at least once a week. There are no specific work for them. They must come every education program. Especially on March, they must to come and help for the May events. In cases where the volunteer don’t come and loose contact for 2 months, automatically she or he will be out from the list.

Volunteers are involved on the Foundation’s events (domestic and international events), like: the Gwangju International Peace Forum, the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, the Nanjang-Human-Free Concert, Red Festa, etc. Mostly on March, they become busy and almost everyday come to the Foundation to help with preparatory work.

Events
Gwangju International Peace Forum & Gwangju Prize for Human Rights

Nanjang - Human - Free Concert

Red Festa

Besides their involvement with events, the Foundation has other program for the volunteers which is the Asia NGOs Internship Program (Volunteer Internship Program). This program gives them a big opportunity to be sent abroad for a duration of 10 months. Every year at least 10 volunteers are sent abroad. The aims of the program are to improve and broaden its relationship with non-governmental organizations through the medium of exchange programs and internships with human rights and peace organizations overseas. The program was created in 2001 to further the cause of human rights and peace in Asia and United States through international solidarity and co-operative networking. The intern is required to return to Korea following the completion of the program. They must to make their report and will have presentation after 2 months they arrive in Gwangju, South Korea.

For 2008, the Foundation will send 11 volunteer abroad. They are:

1. Eun-gyeong Lee - Rainbow's Center, New York
2. Ji-eun Kim - Rainbow's Center, New York
3. Jin-O Jung - Korean Resource Center, Los Angeles
4. Jeong-hoon Park - Korean Resource Center, Los Angeles
5. Seon-yeong Jo - YKASEC, New York
6. Jin-yi Ki - YKASEC, New York
7. Seo-young Yang - IKOHI, Indonesia
8. Tae-wook Kang - PVCHR, India
9. Hee-seop Lee - Shelter for the Poor, Bangladesh
10. Mi-su Na - PPDD, Thailand
11. So-young Ki - Comultiversity, Philippines

the 2008 -USA- Intern Volunteers

the 2008 -Asia- Intern Volunteers

the 2008 Intern Volunteers with Mr. Kim Chanho

As an intern in other organizations abroad, they must help work. They will get knowledge and experience. After their 10 months internship, they must go back to the Foundation and make a report. They will have presentation in front of the staff and other volunteers.

As descendants of the generation of 1980, the volunteers have responsibility for keep and always commemorate the history of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. They must understand that the freedom and democracy in Gwangju is because of the victory of the heroes of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.

Mr. Kim Chanho, director of the Culture and Solidarity Team, said that the foundation wants them to become activist volunteer on human rights, democracy, and peace. The volunteers are not only given their power like a robot, but also they can use their mind and heart. By being involved in events they will much learn and get knowledge, and also have lot of meaningful experiences.

links:

http://www.518.org/

http://www.518interns.blogspot.com/