Just in time to celebrate family month, Cardif in Korea, the Korean life insurance branch of the global banking giant BNP Paribas, held a forest exploration program on Saturday for neglected youths.

Called “Let’s Go to the Forest,” the event took place at the Myung-Dal-Li Forest School in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province.

The Life Insurance Social Contribution Committee and the Seoul-based nongovernmental organization Forest for Life were co-organizers.

Children from the Dong-myung Child Welfare Center took part in educational programs ranging from planting flower gardens and trees to making solar cookers. Volunteer workers from Cardif and activists from the LISCC also participated in the programs.

According to the organizers, the event was meant to help foster emotional and psychological growth in socially isolated children, as well as improve their ecological sensitivity.

It was also a continuation of the “Happy Forest for Sharing” program that started in April 2011.

By Renee Park (renee@heraldcorp.com)