Rotarians in Korea are making a difference

By Antoinette Tuscano
Rotary International News -- 8 April 2010

The World Peace Bell is the centerpiece of the World Peace Bell Park in Hwacheon-gun, Korea, near the demilitarized zone. Photo courtesy of The Rotary Korea

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Korean Rotarians were active in a wide range of projects last year that helped advance the mission of The Rotary Foundation, including helping to turn remnants of the Korean War into a lasting symbol of peace.

Several Korean clubs collected empty gun cartridges to be melted down and used to make a 37.5-ton bell that is now the central feature of the World Peace Bell Park in Hwacheon-gun. Cartridges from conflicts in 29 other countries, including Ethiopia, Israel, and the Philippines, were also used in the bell.

The park, near the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, was dedicated during a ceremony in May attended by former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.

With the help of Rotary Foundation Matching Grants, Koreans in District 3640 also funded heart surgeries for 240 children through Gift of Life International. Districts 3630 and 3650 funded heart surgeries for 134 children from Mongolia. Gift of Life is run through the efforts of Rotary clubs worldwide.

Other projects that Rotarians in Korea participated in last year contributing to The Foundation's mission of advancing world understanding, goodwill and peace included:

Sending a 19-member team organized by District 3690 on a National Immunization Day in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, to vaccinate children against polio.
Organizing a festival on 24 October in Seoul City Hall Square to promote Rotary and its programs. Rotaractors handed out What’s Rotary? wallet cards and information about the End Polio Now campaign during the event, which drew more than 10,000 people and raised almost US$1,000.
Providing medical equipment and an ambulance to Cagayan de Oro City Hospital in the Philippines through a $48,000 Matching Grant project between the Rotary clubs of Daegu-Dongshin, Daegu, and West Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental.
Cleaning up the Keumgang River with the help of 120 volunteers from the Rotary Club of Ogcheon, Chungcheongbug. The Rotarians removed about 2 tons of garbage from the river.

Excerpted from the 2010 English edition of The Rotary Korea

19 Comments:

At 9:26AM on 17 November 2010, brett halvorson (lee kilwoo) wrote: as a recipient of gift of life, i had the pleasured opportunity to meet with many rotarians all over the world including korea that are involved with saving children born with heart defects. it continues to amaze me for all the service that they do. so many great projects through rotary. Thank you Rotarians for my seond lease on life!!!

At 1:07PM on 20 October 2010, ray c. marras wrote: i salute your club for its generosity especially those projects directly benefiting Filipinos. I belong to rotary club of las, pinas philippines district 3830.

At 12:45PM on 7 June 2010, AC Peter wrote: Korean Rotarians are philanthropic to bottom of their hearts - they are leading the Rotary movement in the world. All the 17 RI Districts of Korea contributed to the MG for "Gift of Life" in India - for giving life to Ugandan children - for arranging open heart surgery in Delhi India.

At 9:16AM on 19 May 2010, Martha Crowde wrote: Sounds like the Koreans are very busy rotarans with all their projects. I like the idea of using empty shell cartridges to make a peace bell.

At 9:58AM on 13 May 2010, Manon Choucha wrote: The more I read about Rotary, the more I am proud to be a Rotarian. God bless you all for the wonders you are doing to give children a new chance to live. Keep on Rotarians lets expand more and more and hopefully one day Peace will be everywhere. fill our hearts with love to each other. Sincerely yours. Manon Choucha ,President 2009-2010 RC Le Caire-Champollion, District 2450-EGYPT

At 10:00AM on 13 May 2010, PDG Yogananda,RID 3190 wrote: Empty catridges made into a peace bell - very innovative and dramatic and therefore very effective - Congrats ,Korean Rotarians

At 9:58AM on 29 April 2010, Fredrika Middleton wrote: It's really enlightening to see that Korea is paticipating in The Gift of Life program. The hard work seems to be paying off.The removal of 2 tons of garbage from the Keumgang river was an icredible feet for 120 volunteers.

At 10:10AM on 13 April 2010, Kim Kim wrote: I wasn't surprised to hear all the wonderful projects Korean Rotarians are doing and how passionate they are; however, there live many Korean-Americans live in U.S.A and I wondered how many them join local Rotary clubs. My being a Korea born American, I love being a Rotarian and there are only two Korean-American Rotarians in our district. It is our job to ask them to join and get involved.

At 10:09AM on 13 April 2010, yunsangkoo wrote: Thanks for your kind words of encouragement. Recognition and encouragements are certainly great for doing good deeds which afterall is staple food for the Rotarians everywhere.

At 12:00PM on 12 April 2010, Bill Hatfield wrote: I was overjjoyed to learn that Korea is participating in the Gift of Life program and has helped so many children from third-world countries. Twelve years ago, when I was district governor, I initiated the same program in my distirct 6560, Central Indiana, and we continue to support children with heart defects each year. Children are brought here and we send a surgical team to Amman, Jordan each year to perform pediatric heart surgery. The Korean progject of melting down shell casings and making them into a 37.5 ton peace bell is as significant symbol as the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia! Congratulations to Korean Rotarians!

At 11:22AM on 12 April 2010, P.SIVAKUMAR rc tirupur north wrote: very good work .... go ahead

At 11:31AM on 12 April 2010, Raj Ghuman wrote: Heartiest Congratulations to all Korean Rotarians ! Hats off to you all.Keep this great work going on. I am bit surprise for not finding any mention of KEEP MAGNOLIA GREEN PROJECT.? It is surely the most noteworthy project. funded by our TRF.

At 11:13AM on 12 April 2010, D3770 DGSC/IP-DRFCC ARMANDO "SANDIE" SAN DIEGO wrote: The Philippines, particularly, RID 3770, is always the beneficiary of a wide range of projects from Korea through Matching Grants coming from RI Districts 3740. 3600, 3750, and 3660. All of these projects are very successful with excellent reporting to TRF. Hope to have impact projects from the above districts, RI Districts 3630, 3640, and 3660. Due to instense heat here in the Philippines, commuters and police authorities need additional WAITING SHEDS AND POLICE OUTPOSTS. Our District, D3770, is a Pilot District of the Future Vision of TRF starting next RY and therefore we can do that through club to club project with non-Pilot District or through a Matching Grant with co-Pilot District. DGSC Sandie San Diego RC Meycauayan Uptown, RID 3770 Philippines

At 9:24AM on 12 April 2010, s.chandra sekar wrote: Really it is an wonderfull job of rotarians of korea and it has to be appreciated and honoured immediatey. our best wishes for them, S.Chandra sekar. Rotary club of kumbakonam mahamaham INDIA RI DIST : 2980

At 9:01AM on 12 April 2010, YR Bakshi wrote: I appreciate the efforts out in by Rotarian of Korea in an effort making environment clean and green

At 8:59AM on 12 April 2010, Loy C. Punongbayan of RC Plaridel wrote: I fully agree that the Korean spirit is so generous and they are very active in the international scene. Our sister club Sea-chungju Rotary Club led by Pres. Choon Soo, Kim and PP Moon Soo, Park have been around quite often to find out projects that they can sponsor. They are very active in Youth Exchange. They help us in funding shipping of books from York, Ontario. They were her last March 18. The Hwado Rotary Club led by Pres Lee, Mun-Gyu and D-3600 help finance 10 Drinking and Hand Washing Stations in Bulacan. They inspect and turnover the project last March 2. Many thanks to Koreans Rotary Clubs and more power to you.

At 10:43AM on 9 April 2010, Glynis Long wrote: The Korean spirit is so generous; not only have they moved into the 11th largest economy very quickly, they embody great compassion and the Rotary service nature. I feel privileged to work my Rotary friends in Korea.

At 9:26AM on 9 April 2010, zarah wrote: very good work .... go ahead

At 1:57PM on 8 April 2010, kenneth wrote: i really appreaciate the efforts put in by Koreans Rotarians in an effort to making world peace, understanding and international relations. Keep up with these great works

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