Gwangju woman joins donor club after overcoming poverty, disability

Song Soon-hee , left, a 57-year-old housing manager, poses with Kim I-gang, head of Gwangju Seo District Office, during an induction ceremony at the district office, Monday. Courtesy of Gwangju Seo District Office

A 57-year-old woman from Gwangju, who was once dependent on basic welfare payments and living with a disability, has emerged from years of poverty to achieve self-reliance — and is now giving back as a major donor.

According to Gwangju’s Seo District Office, Tuesday, housing manager Song Soon-hee joined the district’s Honors Club, pledging to donate 500,000 won ($367) each month for the next five years. She also made an initial contribution of 5 million won after joining the club.

The Honors Club, established in November of last year, is the nation’s first donor community led by a local government, recognizing individuals who pledge more than 30 million won to the district.

Just a decade ago, Song was grappling with chronic illness and living in poverty, dependent on government support.

Her turning point came with a small but meaningful gift from a local welfare official — an LED lamp offered as a gesture of encouragement.

At the time, her home was so dim — its sunlight blocked by a nearby building — that it stayed dark even during the daytime. After receiving the lamp, she resolved to dedicate herself to studying for a residential facilities management certification exam.

Buoyed by the support she received, Song stayed the course and eventually earned her certification, paving the way to financial independence.

While working as a residential facilities manager, she encountered a person with cerebral palsy who was bedridden due to health complications. The encounter brought back memories of the kindness she had received years before, prompting her to think, “How wonderful it would be to become someone’s hope.” That moment inspired her to start giving back through donations.

Since then, she has spent the past decade donating to local welfare centers and community service offices in her neighborhood.

“The lamp from the welfare official became the light of my life,” Song said. “The warmth that the official showed even after I passed the certification exam gave me the strength to become who I am today. I’ve received so much help over the years, and now it’s my turn to give back.”