Establishing the ‘Saemaul Globalization Foundation’ to send volunteer groups and implement pilot projects
‘Saemaul Globalization Foundation’ was established in Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Korea has turned from a country that received aid into a donor country. The reason why Korea is implementing the Saemaul Globalization Project is not only it is well off, but Korea experienced the valuable lesson of overcoming poverty.
The birthplace of Saemaul, Gyeongsangbuk-do established the Saemaul Globalization Foundation to build and spread the Korean-type development cooperation model that is different from other advanced countries. It is not giving a man a fish but teaching him to fish. Saemaul has been uated as a practical model for eradicating global poverty.
In this year, the Saemaul Globalization Foundation s and sends 90 Saemaul leaders to 15 pilot villages of Asian and African countries including Phipippines, India, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Rwanda. It also dispatches 90 people consisting of three teams of university students, medical staff, and Saemaul leaders to provide medical help and improve the environment in three African and Asian countries.
In addition, the Foundation invites 100 leaders and 100 foreign students from underdeveloped countries including Africa and Central and South America, to provide on-site training for them, such as improving awareness and teaching agricultural technologies based on the spirit of Saemaul.
In 2007, Gyeongsangbuk-do established Youth Saemaul Overseas Volunteer Group and made efforts to spread Samaul to the world. Until now, about 430 university students have been dispatched to Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Ethiopia. Starting from 2010, Gyeognsangbuk-do has concentrated on promoting the Saemaul in three African countries, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Rwanda, together with KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency).
※ Saemaul: As Korean development movement, it practices diligence, self-help and cooperation. It aims to break away from poverty and live in safe environment and increase income. Its goal is to live well by self-supporting without anyone being dependent on others.
