By Ahn Sun-mi
Moon Geun-young is known for not only being a young Korean actress, but also for her continuous charity efforts. Recently, she said that she will contribute to the building of a place for poor students to study. Under difficult financial conditions all over the country, this news warmed people's hearts. She is making people aware of the importance of creating a donation culture in Korea. In particular, since she is one of the stars who many young people are likely to imitate, her exemplary behavior could influence how the younger generation sees the act of donating. Nowadays there are many charitable organizations in Korea such as the Red Cross, World Vision, Beautiful Store, etc., which are all various ways to contribute, making donating easy and possible for any and all students of all ages.
David McClelland of Harvard University in 1988 coined the ``Mother Teresa effect'' to describe how merely watching an act of altruism can have positive results on people. This study suggests that having compassion for others and showing love have positive effects on people's health. In the study, after watching films of Mother Theresa helping the needy, there was a significant increase in the level of immunoglobulin A in saliva, which is the first line of defense, improving the subjects' health. In a nutshell, they came to be healthier even though they just experienced altruism indirectly. Then, imagine the possibility of how much one's health could increase by actually being involved!
Donation is an act of contribution much like the Teresa effect for it does not require much time or energy and brings out warmhearted emotions and a healthy body and mind. This kind of positive effect gives young people aims and opportunities for virtue and to become aware of the value of performing altruistic acts.
Then how can students make a donation? Anyone can give their pocket money to charities such as the Korean Red Cross who collects contributions targeting people who suffered a disaster or difficult conditions. Young people can donate at least 1,000 won a month as a member of the Red Cross regularly at a local bank by automatic transfer. Through Red Cross activities, young people can realize that even a small amount of money can help others a great deal when they come together and make a difference.
For those students who do not have an allowance or spare change, another simple way is joining a fund-raising drive online. NAVER started a contribution drive program called 'Happy Bean' in 2005. The donation campaign also has HANGAME where beans can be collected while playing games. Both are operated by the same company, NHN. Whoever uses the NAVER website can contribute without donating actual money. Rather than money, beans can be donated to a charity. Each bean has a value of 100 won. It is given to a user individually whenever they write a reply, post or send an e-mail on NAVER. The beans can be donated to a charity of the user's choice. There is no charge or any costs for contribution. Young people, even elementary students, can start making donation part of their life style even if they don't have money or are reluctant to donate for personal financial reasons in this time of difficulty.
However, the ways of donation for young people does not end here. There is a charity organization called 'Beautiful Store' and it offers a chance to donate people's unnecessary goods. The profit gained by selling various used items is donated to help those in need. The purpose of the store is not only to practice good public welfare but also for young people to donate things they no longer need. Additionally, as the way of participating is quite easy, it can be attractive for young people. Because young people quickly out grow clothes, toys, books, etc., by dropping these items at the Beautiful Store, they are helping others by getting rid of their unwanted items.
Little gifts add up to large sums. Small donations all over the country can mean great development locally and nationally. Making a contribution through charities is small but a significant start which will bring peace and prosperity to not only our society but our minds and hearts. If we all come together early in our lives, we can make our society a more pleasant place to live. The future is in our hands.
Ahn Sun-mi is a junior majoring in information technology business at KAIST in Daejeon.