Soyoung’s Family, Korea (FVP Story 2021.39)
My name is Soyoung Lee. I live in Seoul, Korea.
These days, my 6-year-old granddaughter and I have been volunteering together. Caring for and helping people around me is a part of daily life. I have volunteered for 25 years - running educational programs, visiting the elderly -- singing for them, reading poetry for them... It was how my parents raised me, it was how they lived. I believe volunteering is the best way to find solutions to problems around us.
My parents ran a pharmacy and rice mill. Sixty years ago it was difficult in Korea. I remember cooking warm rice for visiting guests. We delivered seaweed soup and rice to neighbors who gave birth. When we saw people in need in the street, my father couldn't pass without giving them money. When I asked him why he was always helping others, he said there is a Korean saying that says helping others comes back as blessings to the children. Our family had four sons and three daughters, and we lived a comfortable life. Before she passed away, my mother asked that we make a donation to typhoon-stricken Filipinos. My father’s will had a portion dedicated to helping North Korean defectors. They loved giving so much.
I am proud of my parents. They gave us a precious tradition of serving others. To this day, I begin my day thinking about my parents and how they lived. Now, it is such a pleasure to be volunteering with my granddaughter. When we walk to kindergarten together, when we cook together, when we go shopping together, I love singing with her and talking with her. I always encourage her to think of others and how she can help. I was so proud to hear from her teacher that Sunmi is very special. She is always being helpful to her students and her teachers.
I believe that when this small habit of volunteering in everyday life is passed on from my parents to me and my children and granddaughters and extends from my family to villages to the country, peace is naturally achieved like flowing water. I want to live my life to the fullest.