volunteer

Wednesday @ Emmanuel

Aug 102011

Wow! I can’t believe my time here at Emmanuel is almost over. I’ve lived in Korea for over two years, but this has been my best week in Korea yet. The kids and staff have made me feel like a part of the family and I’ve grown attached to the kids. It is going to be so hard to leave them!

Here at the Emmanuel Stay Program, we’re tutoring the staff and students, preparing presentations, and learning lots of songs and dances, but the best part is just hanging out with the kids and their caregivers in their houses. Most of the students’ English level is very low, yet I feel like we’ve formed a deep friendship. Best vacation ever! ~ Danny DiCrispino, Incheon International High School

임마누엘에서의 하루

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Aug 092011

원래 처음 이곳에 오기 전까지는 내가 할 수 있는 일이라고는 그냥 힘쓰는 일 밖에 없다고 생각했습니다.
하지만 이곳에 와보니 정말 착한 아이들이 많이 있고 평소에 경험하지 못했던 일들을 하게 되면서 제 스스로도 정말 많이 배울 수 있는 기회가 된 것 같습니다. 처음에는 걱정이 많이 됐었는데 이곳에서 좋은 아이들과 좋은 선생님들과의 시간을 가지면서 정말 제 스스로의 삶에 대해서 다시 생각해 볼 수 있는 시간이 되었습니다. 특히 저의 경우는 영어를 잘 못하는 한국인으로 외국인들과의 봉사활동에 참여하였는데 그들의 봉사활동에 대한 태도를 보면서 제 자신만을 보고 주변의 힘든 사람들을 돌아보지 못했던 이기적인 생활을 반성 할 수 있는 시간이었습니다. 또한 이곳의 아이들의 아픔을 조금이나마 이해하고 그들을 위해 조금이 이나마 도움을 줄 수 있었다는 것만으로도 큰 보람을 느낄 수 있었습니다.

-성해

2nd day in Emmanuel Children’s home

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Aug 082011

The “actual” program started today and boy was I really nervous. Thoughts like “will I get along with the children and the staff” and “am I good enough to teach English” came into mind like a few times during breakfast. However I realized soon enough that I wasn’t the only one feeling that way- everyone else were too. The thoughts went away as soon as we started our first program; English conversation class. If I were to choose a word to describe the people here it would be HOSPITABLE. They (the children and the staffs) have gone out of their way in trying to connect to us and making sure that we were all comfortable (mind you, this was just the second day!). I was seriously blown away by their hospitality and also by the children’s mannerism. My heart melted when the children thanked their “mother” for the food in each meal and seeing the older children taking turns to care for the younger ones. Definately a memorable experice and looking forward to the rest of the week :) -Suzanne-

First Day at Inaugural Emmanuel Stay

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Aug 072011

Though I am 24, have been teaching in Korea for the past 15 months, and have been visiting orphanages for the past year I was still really anxious to embark on the Emmanuel Stay Program. The thought of spending a week in an orphanage in rural Korea with 7 strangers was daunting, at first, but our introduction to the grounds and staff of Emmanuel reminded me why I made this decision. Everyone at Emmanuel couldn’t have been kinder and more receptive, the other volunteers are open, freindly, outgoing people, Aimee has been wonderful, and the kids most of all have been so eager to get to know us. It’s going to be a tremendous week for me to learn about and improve myself, meet great people, and to affect the lives of all the kids at Emmanuel. I’m looking forward to the rest of my stay.

-Joe