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#Learned altruistic values #Experience in caring for children with severe disabilities #Embarrassment, regret, and deep emotion
My days were spent busily for myself and my family. Occasionally, when I had the capacity, I thought that volunteering once for someone who was struggling was rewarding.When I looked around, the world was less about someone helping another and more a place where people kindly rely on one another and grow together. Let''s give wings to Cambodian children with disabilities who have lost theirs. Yang Geum-suk, gap-year family gapper (52, office worker) / 4-week gap year |
# Am I living properly?
During the past four years, while I was worrying and preparing together with my son and daughter—who are now college students—about their career paths, in the back of my mind I...From the repetitive, long-standing routine, I began to wonder whether I was truly living properly.
On this occasion, I wanted to reflect on the dreams, goals, and values I had during my children''s era after having worked 27 years as a special-education teacher, and on the trust in myself and around me that I must not lose on the path I will take in the remaining years, and...I wanted to consider whether I have truly walked this path with joy, and whether I can continue to walk it joyfully in the future.
* For Ms. Yang Geum-suk, who had a strong desire to look back on her life, a customized 1:1 personal mission related to self-reflection and new challenges and experiences was provided daily, and a gap-year notebook to reflect on herself and make plans was also provided.
# I wanted to pause my life so far and spend a spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
During my 27 years of working life, I took a sabbatical and needed an opportunity to look at myself, my profession, the children who will be with me after I return to work, and my surroundings with fresh eyes. As an elementary special-education teacher, I have cared for students with disabilities for the past 27 years while receiving a salary.
I had always wondered what being with students with disabilities meant beyond a job. An unpaid leave for a year. Of course, I will fill that time entirely for ''me''.
Things I must know to do that.
I will live for a month with students with disabilities without receiving a ''salary'' and, with new eyes, consider myself, my profession, and the children who will be with me.
From the repetitive, long-standing routine...During my time as a ''teacher'', the goal of this gap year was to bring out and mature the immaturity or passion hidden behind excessive duty or authority.
After deciding to make this year a sort of resting page,I wanted to pause my life so far and spend the seasons I haven''t experienced—spring, summer, autumn, winter.
# How angelic the children were..
The group I chose consisted of 23 of the most severely affected children at the volunteer institution; most of them had severe disabilities that made even eating or toilet use difficult without the help of caregivers or teachers, let alone going for outdoor walks.
All the staff at the institution seemed to understand the volunteers'' abilities, strengths, and weaknesses well and responded appropriately.At first, I gave the children oil massages on their arms and put them in wheelchairs to take walks in the garden downstairs.
I was a bit inexperienced in properly handling physically disabled children, but after realizing that my experience raising a child allowed me to respond in small ways to the needs of children who couldn''t communicate verbally, I was gradually permitted to do more caregiving activities such as changing diapers, feeding snacks, and transferring children from wheelchairs to floor mats so they could lie down and rest,
When there were aspects causing discomfort to the children that I hadn''t noticed while moving them in wheelchairs, they kindly and carefully pointed them out,so it became a kind of training time for me to learn how to practically care for children with severe disabilities—something I hadn''t done before.
The center''s physical environment was poor, so there were many items in need of aid; the wheelchairs were old and broken, and I even saw a child injure their foot and bleed while being moved, which was heartbreaking, but the staff, tirelessly repeating the hard work of personal care for children with severe disabilities...The staff''s consistent kindness, even while repetitively doing the difficult work, was continuously moving.
The children were so angelic... whenever our eyes met they flashed big, beaming smiles.When I started pushing the wheelchair to go out for a walk, their excitement and joy would be conveyed through their whole body.
I decided to save my pocket money from the money I brought and suggested buying the children things they needed even with a small amount... It wasn''t a large sum for me, but there was a small sense of satisfaction in going to the local market with the staff and buying a great many items.
I add one joyful, moving moment — as if I had watched a small coming-of-age drama — to a page of my life.
I only knew Cambodia as a very hot, poor country that bears the unfortunate history of the Khmer Rouge genocide. The volunteer work I started with the intention of helping the poor, unfortunate children of a poor country, as I finished it...In my heart, rather than pride, a greater sense of shame and apology has taken hold.
The reason is, first, that the Cambodian people I met, while clearly revealing the signs of a poor country and an unhappy history, gave me the impression that they are moving toward the future with a kind disposition.I felt they were systematically accepting the help they needed and constantly, with an open mind, seeking to redirect themselves regarding their roles and direction.This was strongly conveyed through the movements of the volunteers who came and went over four weeks and the staff of this local volunteer organization.
A Korean organization provided wheelchairs for severely disabled children, and I was told Japan gives a lot of financial support. (One day a Japanese dentist visited and conducted routine checkups.) Many people from the West and the East continuously support as volunteers, visiting the center to play with the children, teach, and freely carry out projects such as painting murals.
On the last day of volunteering, the director and the teachers of the group I worked with...were thinking about better programs for their children beyond simple care activities, singing to them, and water play,Now that I have returned to Korea, photos of the children looking happy have been posted on Facebook — they have added a new and fun activity called face painting.
Secondly, it was the impression I received from the many young volunteers I met at the volunteer accommodation. Rather than vague sympathy or a humanitarian sense of responsibility toward a country that suffered unjust misfortune as part of a history of war and plunder,their desire to practice a humanity of living well together felt truly beautiful.
Despite the uncomfortable volunteer lodging, they always wore smiling faces and willingly endured the costs and inconvenience of riding tuk-tuks to and from the volunteer sites,they beamed with joy at small notes the children awkwardly showed, like ''I love you Sara'',and watching them discussing and sharing ideas for better projects,it is unavoidable that I feel somewhat ashamed of the past times when I sought fulfillment only in my own and my family''s well-being.
Volunteers and the staff of the volunteer center supporting them, united as one, reflecting on themselves and finding a way forward together,I add one joyful, moving moment — like having seen a small growth drama — to a page of my life.
# People I spent time with during my gap year
All the staff at the volunteer lodging seemed to respond skillfully and promptly to volunteers'' activity schedules as well as personal needs. Seeing the dynamic presence of young volunteers from many countries was a very enjoyable experience. Although I had difficulty communicating freely in English, I was able to spend mealtimes, rest times, and time with my roommates very pleasantly and with an open heart.
To this embarrassed auntie who couldn''t memorize the children''s names and room numbers until the last day...I thank the children and staff who stayed with me with bright smiles until the end, and I pray that everyone will become happier and happier every single day.
My roommate Sarah Ann Morley, who, after finishing the last day''s schedule, took the overnight bus to Siem Reap... Over the past four weeks my mouth and ears became ever more attuned to the unfamiliar British English accent. Gradually British English began to register in my ears... and now it''s time to say goodbye. It was an honor to share a room with pretty, kind, and wonderful British young ladies. Thank you for always showing a consistent smile to this woman in her fifties who isn''t good at English.
# After returning from my gap year
My daily life had been busy only for myself and my family. Occasionally, when I had the capacity, I thought doing volunteer work once for someone struggling was rewarding.When I looked back, the world is less about someone helping someone else and more a place where people kindly rely on one another and grow together.
# My personal Cambodia travel spots
There was a North Korean restaurant in Phnom Penh. On days without a schedule, you could experience performances by North Korean staff and try Pyongyang cold noodles. During the holiday I visited the Angkor Wat ruins in Siem Reap. On Saturdays and Sundays you can take dolphin tours or elephant tours, and after finishing the schedule I stopped by nearby Ho Chi Minh City and Laos.
# My Personal Gap Year Tips
- How to get there
I arrived at Phnom Penh airport late at night, exited and had no trouble meeting the driver holding a Gap Year sign, and took a tuk-tuk with a French female student who had arrived earlier to the volunteers'' accommodation.
- Language
For complicated or long conversations I sometimes used a translation app, but we could usually communicate what we needed with just a word or two, eye contact, and gestures without much difficulty. I think this was possible because the volunteers came from many different countries and were open-minded, actively communicating with and considerate toward speakers of other languages.
- Accommodation
Since it''s not like a hotel, you have to take care of trash yourself and change your mattress cover by hand. It''s not very difficult.
- Meals
Breakfast is bread and fruit; lunch boxes must be requested the evening before. Dinner includes rice and one or two main dishes. Sometimes I craved warm soup and ate at nearby restaurants. Khmer-style meat soup with a squeeze of lime was excellent for soothing a body tired from the heat.
- Things to bring
It''s very hot so you''ll need to change clothes often, and laundry is difficult at the volunteers'' accommodation so you''ll have to use a nearby laundry—bring several lightweight garments. Local clothing is relatively cheap, so buying things at a nearby market is also an option.
- For prospective participants
Having at least one special skill like singing, dancing, or playing an instrument... the children and teachers will really appreciate it. I was envious because I didn''t have one... but I do have a talent for smiling at everyone, so I was welcomed despite lacking other skills.
My gap year was
Experience ★★★★★
It was an experience better than I had hoped for.
Learning ★★★★★
The learning was also beyond what I expected.
Environment ★★★★☆
The accommodation is somewhat poor but not a major problem for staying there. I give 4 stars because my son and daughter might find it a bit uncomfortable.
Safety ★★★★★
There don''t seem to be safety issues as long as you don''t go out alone late at night.
Leisure ★★★★★
The cost of living is relatively low, and because it borders several countries it''s easy to plan experiential trips.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
