We are all who we are because of the choices we have made. On Sunday, I volunteered for "Feed Seoul." It's a volunteer run organization that works with an NGO (non-government organization) here in Seoul for the benefit of the homeless and needy. Volunteers are recruited from Facebook...and then invited to different events. They organize helpers for two soup kitchens (Fridays and Saturdays); and on Sundays they take food to the homeless that live around Seoul Station. Seoul Station is the main hub for the passenger rail, not just subway, going to all the other destinations around Korea. It's a busy place with many stores and restaurants, and the most homeless I've seen since I've been in Korea.
After the group was assembled and introductions were made (volunteers were there from CA, MD, MN, TN, OR, FL, Canada and Seoul), everyone donates between 5,000 and 10,000 WON ($5-$10). That money is then taken to a store nearby and this week small buns and drink-boxes of soy milk were purchased. We tied them into plastic bags...and then the volunteers were divided into three groups. One of the groups covered the area nearest Seoul Station, one group went on a longer walk, and the third group sang and passed out coffee. A guy with a guitar came to sing and play. I was part of the group near the station and a volunteer from the NGO took us to where we could find the homeless.
Some of the rules we were: stay together; offer the food with two hands as a sign of respect and tell them "masheka dusayo" which means something to the effect of enjoy the food. We were generally welcomed when they saw we had food. It was 100% men...I saw no homeless women. Some had just cardboard, no blankets. Others had elaborately constructed places of cardboard and whatever other materials they could scavenge. Most were your typical homeless...smelly and dirty, some were obviously drunk or on drugs. It was just heart-breaking to see these men and wonder what choices they had made that brought them to this stage in their life.
Our guide knew every nook and cranny where the homeless live. I think we all know where they are, we just don't make it a point to go and see them. The NGO volunteers also help the homeless when there is a problem, give them clothes, toothbrushes and other necessities. They work out of a small construction trailer. Seeing their plight really made me thankful for my life and the comforts I am afforded.
On a happier note, I met Courtney, the Adult Adoptee Coordinator from Holt International in Portland. She has been so helpful to me from giving me guidance regarding my Homecoming Program application, to even writing me a letter of recommendation, to making Facebook introductions for me so when I got to Korea I would already "know" people. Today, I will join her (and a small group of adoptees) for lunch and then participate in a program "Adoptees for Children." I'm excited to learn more about this program which is being held on National Adoption Day.
What a neat choice for the day. So are there no homeless women or is there a shelter or something where they stay?
ReplyDeleteWhen Debbi and I have traveled, we try to stay and eat outside of the tourist areas. Rick Steves has popularized this approach and I think it helps to walk through local neighborhoods, eat and shop where locals go, and stay in family-owned establishments. One thing we have never done is spend some time volunteering while we are traveling. I think this is a fascinating way to see how other countries deal with issues and to meet the people that give back to their population. Certainly something to think about.
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