ASUNCION -- KOICA is operating numerous overseas projects, and much of the praise for its work is directed at the efforts made by its volunteers.
In South America, Paraguay is the country where the largest KOICA volunteer corps, with 78 members, is operating. The reporter’s arrival in Paraguay on March 6 coincided with that of four new volunteers. According to KOICA officials, their arrival is only the first of many more to come.
“This year alone, 50 volunteers will be newly posted in Paraguay,” Cho So-hee, deputy chief of KOICA’s Paraguayan operations.
Four new KOICA volunteers arrive in Paraguay. The Korea Herald
The four new volunteers will be placed in different areas, but they had one thing in common; the influence that the works of Korea’s most famous overseas volunteer Han Bi-ya had on their deciding to volunteer for overseas aid work.
“At first I couldn’t imagine spending two years overseas, but after reading Han Bi-ya’s book I was so deeply moved that I decided to volunteer,” said Jeon Han-byeol, 26, who majored in art at university.
“In the future, I would like to work for an international non-government organization.”
Such sentiments were echoed by Kim Na-yeon, 30, with close to three years experience as a nurse, who says that while she has always been interested in volunteer work, she was prompted to make up her mind after watching Han appear on a Korean television show.
“I am the same, but a significant number of the volunteers turned their attention to overseas volunteer work because of Han,” said Park Tae-jung, who has been charged with handling volunteers since last year, after having worked as a volunteer in Paraguay.
(jwchoi@heraldcorp.com)
