Former army nurse to volunteer in Paraguay IN KOICA program

Choi Eun-young

By Kwon Ji-youn

A former army nurse, Choi Eun-young, 29, plans to visit Paraguay to take part in a community service program organized by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) next month.

“I hope to become an honorable community service member,” Choi told The Korea Times. “I plan to approach this mission with sincerity and accountability.”

After graduating high school, Choi studied at the Armed Forces Nursing Academy, Daejeon, because she “wanted to lead a responsible life.” She became a commissioned officer and worked at the Armed Forces Ham-pyeong Hospital in South Jeolla Province, and then at the Armed Forces Yang-ju Hospital, Gyeonggi Province.

But instead of remaining in the armed forces after serving her required six years in the army, she left in order to discover and learn even more.

“People were against my wish to leave the forces at such an early age,” Choi said. “But I’ve always wanted to become a KOICA volunteer to help those who need it, globally.”

She got the idea when she stumbled upon a book written by a travel author who interviewed KOICA volunteers six years ago. That’s when she became determined to become one as well.

“The volunteers in the book said that they have no regrets about having retired early to serve people in need,” Choi added. “I am grateful to have been given the chance to facilitate the unprivileged as a nurse.”

Choi is currently taking classes at the World Friends Center, along with some 50 others, to train for her trip to Paraguay. The World Friends Center prepares members for their volunteer experience by teaching them the language of the country they plan to visit, the attitude required of a volunteer, and natural disaster management.

“I heard that there are many newborns and single mothers in Paraguay,” Choi said. “Those are the people I hope to help the most.”