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나답게, 단단하게, 즐겁게
Learning appropriate technology with WakaWater through Korea Gap Year!
In fact, making WakaWater is not closely related to my major in electronic engineering and there was no direct reason I had to learn it, so many of the people who participated wondered why I joined. But I thought the opposite. Since I''m currently studying this major and will work in this field in the future, I felt that I didn''t have to spend my precious one-year leave of absence during my gap year solely on obtaining major-related certifications.
- WakaWater: a fun education that changes the world |
A small secret dream from middle school
In fact, making WakaWater is not closely related to my major in electronic engineering and there was no direct reason I had to learn it, so many of the people who participated wondered why I joined.But I thought differently..I thought that if I''m currently majoring in this field and will work in it in the future, I didn''t have to spend my precious one-year leave of absence during my gap year solely on obtaining major-related certifications.
Rather, the thought ''If not now, when else would I have the chance to try this experience?'' became the bigger motivator.
And there was a reason Korea Gap Year''s WakaWater project felt especially appealing to me. It was because of a small secret dream I had since middle school.
After finishing midterms I came home early, turned on the TV without thinking to clear my mind, and saw a program where celebrities went to water-scarce regions in Africa and built water systems themselves. At first I watched blankly, but by the end of the show I found myself resolved that when I grew up I''d like to do similar work and help.
Since that day, to me—who thought that digging wells or installing plumbing was the only way to help people lacking drinking water—WakaWaterwas a really fresh idea. Of course, whether I would actually be able to go to Africa later and provide direct help, or whether I would use the WakaWater method if I did, I don''t know, but there''s no doubt that the hands-on experience broadened my thinking. And I thought that the very fact of making something myself was enjoyable.
''From then on I was convinced I had made the right choice to join the WakaWater project.''
When I first arrived I was a bit late and didn''t know anyone, so I felt a little embarrassed.
The only familiar face was An Si-jun, the Korea Gap Year director, whom I had only seen in online photos, so it felt strange to see him in person.Hearing that he was the director, I assumed he''d only handle administrative tasks, but seeing him participate directly in the work made me think he was a great person.
Anyway, even after that awkward time, people began introducing themselves one by one, and from then on I was sure I had made the right choice to join the WakaWater project. Listening to each introduction, it was interesting to hear that everyone had become involved out of an interest in appropriate technology from their own positions.
Since all participants joined with pure enthusiasm, I felt I''d be happy to be teamed with anyone. After teams were formed, we immediately began building. It had been a long time since I''d done sawing, drilling holes with a drill, and tying things with rope, so it was even more fun. I had forgotten how much I loved making things out of recycled materials since childhood, and I felt like I had rediscovered that interest.
The value of drinking water gained through time and effort
By making it myself I discovered that the WakaWater technology is an idea based on a very simple scientific principle.
From photos it looked like something complex requiring great knowledge to build, but the actual operating principle was very simple. In fact, the simple structure meant it took quite a long time to make, so at first I thought it was hard, but in the African locations where WakaWater is needed there probably won''t be advanced equipment or convenient tools to fix things. Also, considering the value of the drinking water gained relative to the time spent making it, it''s not such a big time investment.
Thanks to the scout students who participated with us I also learned knotting techniques, and as we made the WakaWater while listening to the stories of people walking their own paths in various places, I felt my perspective broaden even a little. Finally, the sense of pride when the WakaWater was completed after everyone''s effort felt enormous.
I was happy to receive such positive energy in one day, and it made me want to try more things during the remaining leave of absence.Riding that momentum, I want to make the rest of my gap year more fulfilling.
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