Every year voluntary project titled Happy Move Global Youth Program sends 1,000 students of medicine, environment social affairs and gastronomy from Korea to the whole world. Its main aim is a long-term support of global community development and education of future leaders in these fields.
The Slovak Republic is one of five countries the volunteers will visit this year. From February 6 until February 13, 2009, various activities are prepared for twenty students of Korean national cuisine from Korean Food Institute of Sookmyung University. During their voluntary mission, the university students prepared a one-day program for children from child crisis centre Naruc where mainly abused and neglected children are sheltered. Not only Korean culture and cuisine were introduced but also children were gifted by the time they spent together, organized mini Olympic games, face painting as well as taekwondo performance.
“I am very glad that I had a chance to learn about Slovak culture and cuisine. The most precious time for me was the day spent in Naruc association. Even though we were not able to communicate verbally with the children, we spent a beautiful day together without any barriers. I joined the program to help others. However, I found out that the program has also helped me,” said Chae-Yong Lim, a student and volunteer of Happy Move Program.
Robert Bracinik, Director of the child crisis centre Naruc, expressed his doubts before meeting Korean students. “Possible communication barriers and culture differences might have caused difficulties. Those doubts disappeared after first minutes of the meeting. The Korean students were very pleasant and behaved naturally, and our children immediately accepted them. I appreciate their preparedness for the whole event, quality of the program, but it was mainly the students’ goodwill and honesty that won children’s hearts over,” said Bracinik.
Korean volunteers also showed their culinary art at Kia Motors Slovakia plant where the company employees appreciated their specialties. On February 10, students visited Secondary Vocational Gastronomy School in Zilina where Slovak students taught them how to cook Slovak meals. On the following day Korean students taught Slovaks how to prepare Korean meals. Happy Move Global Youth Program will be concluded in the Slovak Republic by official gala dinner on February 13, where Korean students will perform their cooking skills for the last time.
Program Happy Move Global Youth was founded in July 2008. It represents the first Committeen move for corporate social responsibility set by Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group in May 2008. The Group aims
for a long-term support of global community development, which is also realized by its daughter companies all across the world. Its corporate social responsibility in Slovakia is realized via
activities Kia Motors Slovakia as well as Kia distributor Kia Motors Sales Slovensko.
