KoreaToday Kyobo’s caregiver program sets example
By Kim Jae-won
Staff reporter
The insurance business was born to help people buffer financial hardships in the event of future disasters and difficulties. However, a modern insurer has added one more task on their “to-do” list ― social contribution activities.
Keeping up with the trend, Kyobo Life Insurance, one of the nation’s leading life insurers, has stepped up efforts to provide a variety of social service programs for the underprivileged to overcome their problems here and now. Kyobo’s corporate social responsibility program is founded on a philanthropic philosophy.
“Kyobo Dasomi Caregiver Team” is a good example of Kyobo’s philanthropic spirit.
Kyobo has educated low-income female householders with a caregiver program since 2003. After completing the program, those caregivers can look after low-income patients as well as earning income from the jobs.
The number of trainees increased year by year. It started with 20 members in 2003, but last year about 280 female householders took the course. Kyobo plans to extend the number to 350 this year.
The government also acknowledged the program awarding a first certificate of social enterprise for the program. The Dasomi team now became an independent foundation, and is self sufficient.
Kyobo also has run a special program, which supports premature babies born to low-income families. The insurer pays treatment expenses for those families, so gives hopes to them.
In December 2002, the Kyobo Dasomi Public Volunteer Team was established to encourage all of the executives and employees to take part in social service activities. The name means “Kyobo people acting for love.”
The team helps the underprivileged to develop their capabilities related to three insurance businesses focusing on health, old age, education and welfare. It also supports them in overcoming difficulties on their own by creating various social jobs.
Executives and employees voluntarily organized a community service team in 1999. A total 204 teams are involved nationwide as of July. Every month, about 100 teams conduct volunteer activities in social welfare facilities.
Kyobo is also operating public foundations such as the Daesan Foundation for Rural Culture and Society, the Daesan Foundation, and Kyobo Foundation for Education & Culture to support various fields of the society.
“We help people to find out their hidden talents, and use it for their lives. We also provide various social jobs to support them,” a spokesman of Kyobo said.