Make a better life! Wave of Saemaeul Movement in Africa
Korea is the first country which has transitioned from an aid recipient to a donor to join OECD. Especially in Southeast Asia and Africa, many countries want to learn the experience, and Saemaeul Movement is considered a good example.
Saemaeul Movement which contributed to the rapid economic growth and rural development of Korea in 1970s, is now adapted by Asian and African countries. It was initiated by Gyeongsangbuk-do. As a move of globalization, it increased the range of activity by building Saemaeul halls, schools, wells and even moral education. Let’s take a look.
Song of Hope
Saemaeul Movement had its first anniversary last 22nd of April. Saemaeul movement, the nation developing project, became so successful that leaders from Asia and Africa came to visit Saemaeul Movement center in Bundang, Seongnam city. Fifty thousand of civil servants and local leaders from 84 countries have already visited so far. Saemaeul Movement is becoming globalized.
Saemaeul globalizing project fist started in 2004. Saemaeul hall in Vietnam and Jakarta Indonesia, health center in Cambodia, and Wells in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are the outcomes of the project. 254 college students have participated in Saemaeul international volunteer project since 2007 and this summer again, 100 students are volunteering in Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Philippines. In addition, Gyeongsangbuk-do and KOICA co-conducted a medical project, an environmental project and a profitable project. Environmental program is to improve kitchens, washrooms, pavements, village roads. Profitable program is to teach how to farm and make reservoirs.
(Source: Chosun Ilbo)
Global Saemaeul forum was held in Gyeongju from 19th to 20th April. There were a lot of discussions on direction for globalization of Saemaeul movement and also Hallyu. It became more responsible for helping the underdeveloped countries to develop themselves.
More and more people have participated in Saemaeul Movement worldwide. Back in 2003, even during the civil war in Nepal, Saemaeul Movement contributed to increase the income and literacy by mechanizing farm and exporting vegetables.
In addition, Cambodia which is hot every season increased the income per person five times higher than usual, rising from eighty to 400 dollars since they learned vinyl greenhouse technology of Korea, which is convenient to control the temperature and humidity. The key point of Saemaeul Movement is to bring up sense of independence. It is not only supporting the skills and resources but also helping them develop their capability to increase income by growing crops.
Saemaeul Movement Emerging as National Brand
More than 90 percent of poor people of underdeveloped countries live in rural area. Saemaeul Movement is successful in countries that need help most. The most important project of Saemaeul Movement in Africa is dispatching leaders of Saemaeul Movement. Gyeongsangbuk-do sent volunteers to Africa for ODA project since Korea became a member of DAC under OECD in 2009.
The Saemaeul leader volunteering group consists of six members in each of five teams, and 30 of them are working to eliminate the poverty in Rwanda for nearly a year. Struggling against the heat, they plant Saemaeul spirits which are described as diligence, self-reliance and cooperation into the local people. Unlike the other countries which used to leave after building one or two village halls, Korea planted confidence and belief in their mind like “We can do it” with its own project, Saemaeul.
Korean government decided to start Saemaeul Movement in Rwanda and Laos as ODA (Official Development Assistance) to get rid of poverty and support self-growth. The Rwandan official said that Gyeongsangbuk-do will be in charge of Rwanda, and Saemaeul Center will be in charged of Laos to make a synergy like a complete product.
Review of the History of Saemaeul Movement
In Congo, it is easy to find people wearing shirts with a logo, “Saemaeul Movement”. The pronunciation ‘Saemaeul Movement’ is familiar with locals. Some villages have flags of it in every house. Saemaeul Movement started in 1970s for a better life in Korea and 30 years later it’s bring new hopes to Africa.
(Source: Segye Ilbo)
However, it is important to change the mind and attitude of people and eventually help them develop the whole village, not by simply increasing the income. In other words, it is more important to encourage them to achieve the economic development on their own by building up software such as policies and systems away from one-sided aid. But the task is how to get rid of the old image that Saemaeul Movement is a low level standard project driven by the government. Also the careful consideration on how to properly localize the Saemaeul Movement to each country is very essential. Once again, we hope that Korea would play a major role in poverty elimination and enhancing the nation’s prestige.
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