Have you ever spent over 710 hours thinking about someone else?

토토사이트 승인전화x Yeon-jae, a 4th-year student majoring in Korean Language Education, was awarded the Grand Prize in Volunteerism at the 13th Jean Henri Dunant Awards, hosted by the Korean Red Cross on December 21 last year. Recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer in Seongdong-gu, she continues to share the value of giving across a wide range of volunteer activities.

From May 16, 2017, to March 18 of this year, 토토사이트 승인전화x participated in 288 volunteer activities, including international volunteer service in Vietnam sponsored by Samsung and literacy teaching at the Blue Mother School. In total, she has dedicated 710 hours and 20 minutes to volunteerism. We spoke with 토토사이트 승인전화x about her journey of giving.

Lee cited the “2024 Vietnam Overseas Volunteer Program by Samsung” as her most memorable experience. From February 15 to 23, the RCY (Red Cross Youth) chapter under the Seoul branch of the Korean Red Cross carried out international service in Ho Chi Minh City. Serving as team leader, Lee led a team of 16 university mentors and 31 middle and high school mentees. “The collaboration itself was what made this activity truly meaningful,” she said.

Each participant planted five trees in the mangrove forest, resulting in over 200 new trees. At Dao Son Tay High School, the team engaged in cultural exchange with local students, created murals, renovated school facilities, and shared meals.

At Hồng Hà Elementary School, they organized five educational programs—art, hygiene, music, physical education, and Korean language—alongside a creative activity making character figurines of “Sseho,” the Red Cross baby eagle mascot. Lee led the physical education session, drawing on the Netflix series Squid Game to design a traditional Korean games class. Music included playing the Korean small drum sogo, art involved decorating traditional hanji fans, and hygiene lessons included making clay soap and handwashing techniques. “The students especially loved the clay soap and handwashing activity,” Lee recalled.

Reflecting on the experience, she said, “Spending time with the children taught me what it means to welcome and care for others. I’m grateful to have learned the joy of sharing.”

토토사이트 승인전화x continues to serve as a literacy volunteer at the Blue Mother School, a leading national literacy education program offering an officially recognized elementary school diploma.

Her students are primarily older women who missed educational opportunities due to war and industrialization. “Many of these women lived for nearly 80 years without learning to read or write,” Lee explained. “Seeing them gradually learn Korean is deeply moving.”

Graduates who complete the five-year curriculum receive an official elementary school diploma and participate in a graduation ceremony. “Many graduates continue attending school to further their studies,” said Lee. “They call us ‘our first and last teachers,’ which I find incredibly heartwarming and motivating.”

토토사이트 승인전화x has held numerous leadership roles, including president of Hanyang University RCY and chair of the Seoul University Red Cross Council.

Her motivation for stepping into leadership was clear. “If I was going to be involved, I wanted to do it properly,” she said. “I found that being proactive and leading initiatives created more opportunities and synergy.”

As RCY president, she focused on fostering communication among officers to unite the team. Later, as chair of the Seoul university council, she gained experience planning and executing programs across the region.

Lee noted, “Volunteering requires not just time and commitment, but resources. I reached out to alumni associations, asked for support, and worked hard to create better programs.” The resulting initiatives increased both the satisfaction of participants and the quality of the activities.

Asked what volunteerism means to her, Lee answered, “It’s about sharing—having the opportunity to give what you have.” She added that the experience was so meaningful it inspired her to pursue a career with the Korean Red Cross. “Through volunteering, I’ve learned to work with people, embrace others, and live with sincerity and energy.”

Her wide-ranging service also made her realize how much need remains in society. “This world isn’t meant to be lived alone. We must recognize that we live together.”

She concluded, “The power of volunteerism grows when more people care. Even a small act of kindness can help build a better society. I want to continue contributing to positive change through sustained action.”