Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Came to appreciate the value of sharing love #The importance of teamwork and a deep sense of camaraderie #A rewarding experience where the joy outweighed the difficulty
©Korea gapyear
|
I learned a lot through this activity. I realized that working with good people becomes more of a pleasure and brings more joy than hardship, and I also learned the importance and value of sharing love. I once again felt that teamwork is the driving force behind everything.
-2013 Gift of Music music volunteer gap year |
When I first filled out the application, I wondered if I would be accepted. After being accepted, I missed the first orientation but met everyone for the first time at the second orientation. Because it was my first time I felt awkward and couldn''t speak much; I just listened, and that was how the first meeting passed. Then I met everyone again at the airport. Since it was my first time going abroad, I was half excited and half nervous. After handling things at the airport, we boarded the plane, transited in Hong Kong, and almost immediately boarded the flight to Phnom Penh.
We went straight to the hotel after arriving in Phnom Penh. My roommates were Jae-gang from PIY and Ji-yong from Jeju Island. The next day we visited an orphanage called Sovankoma. I was surprised the moment I first saw the children. They were so lively and looked so happy that you wouldn''t expect them to be the kind of children (orphans). Spending three days with them, many things happened and I grew very attached. It was truly a happy time. The children loved me and I loved them. That sharing of love was a kind of beauty you don''t easily feel in Korea these days. I will never forget the memories with those children and will cherish them for a long time. The day we danced together with the children at the end was truly fantastic.
The Gift of Music team was truly amazing during the performances. The piano playing by the PIY brothers and sisters was excellent, and Ms. Yujin Park''s electric violin performance was very beautiful. For the first performance I helped backstage with Inho hyung. I carried the piano and assisted with special effects. One of my favorite parts of the performance was when Ms. Yujin Park played Arirang. The samul nori (traditional Korean percussion) was also one of the best. Those two pieces are wonderful music for introducing our country''s traditions.
At Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the world, it was the rainy season—at first it hadn''t rained, then it suddenly poured—so we couldn''t really sightsee properly, but it was truly beautiful. It was amazing. I was astonished that all that beauty was the work of human hands. I regretted that the rain prevented us from seeing more, but even seeing just a part of it felt new and wondrous.
Looking back, we did a lot of work, but it didn''t feel that hard. Now I think it was all thanks to our working together with one heart under the community called Gift of Music. I learned a lot through this activity. I realized that working with good people becomes more of a pleasure and brings more joy than hardship, and I also learned the importance and value of sharing love. I once again felt that teamwork is the driving force behind everything.
They say that the scent from a beautiful heart is stronger and lasts longer than that of expensive perfume. I could have enjoyed a more comfortable trip to Cambodia by spending more money, but because I, together with good people and a beautiful mindset, were able to bring a little joy and happiness to the people there, this memory will carry a much deeper fragrance and will not be forgotten compared to other trips.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
