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| Sahmyook University President Kim Il-mok, fifth from left, poses with members of Sahmyook Sarang Shop, a volunteer group of the wives of university professors, before they donate money for a scholarship for international students, at the university campus in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Sahmyook University |
By Bahk Eun-ji
A volunteer group of the wives of professors at Sahmyook University has provided financial support for international students suffering through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Sahmyook Sarang Shop, the volunteer group, donated 30 million won ($25,500) to the university's development fund and the Sarang Shop Scholarship fund. The total amount of donations reached 120 million won, according to the university.
Since 2013, the volunteer group has been carrying out activities to donate the entire proceeds from selling sponsored goods from various organizations and companies to raise funds the student scholarship program.
In particular, from last year, it started helping students of foreign nationality who are in a blind spot, as they lack access to government quarantine support funds even amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the last three semesters, the group offered a total of 15.2 million won in scholarships to 27 international students from Vietnam, China, India, the Philippines, Iraq and Cameroon.
Such support has been helpful at a time when international students are not receiving national scholarships, and even part-time jobs have been scarce during the pandemic, and students' families in their home countries are not able to support students' study expenses as they are also suffering from economic difficulties.
Kwon Young-soon, the leader of the volunteer group and the wife of university President Kim Il-mok, said, "There are many foreign students who are in such a difficult situation while working part-time.
"It was rewarding and I am grateful to be able to help them immediately when they are in a most difficult situation. We hope that the students can return to their home countries and grow into great members of their societies," Kwon said.
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