Help Your Suwon Week 22 and 23

Current Balance : 229,160 won
Previous Balance : 218,970 won
Newly Deposited : 10,190 won (70,000 - 59,810)

Help Your Suwon Week 21

Current Balance : 207,680 won
Newly Deposited : 6,780 won
Previous Balance : 200,900 won

I was rather surprised by the fact that a foreseeable confrontation between one of us and a homeless hasn't happened until last Sunday. Why it happened and what happened is irrelevant. It is no one's fault. The incident was a wake-up call to me in that I should have been more careful and more respectful. So, lesson learned.

Last week, we spiced up the gathering by adding Easter eggs beautifully decorated by many to each bag. But, what preceded on Saturday was an Easter party by Sarah and Melea to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus which is not celebrated in South Korea. Thank you again for your kindness, girls. And it was nice to see you Amanda. It's been awhile.

Also, we explored downtown Suwon to have some Indian food and as usual had a jolly time over a cup of coffee. I meant, literally over a SINGLE cup of coffee at Twosome. Then. pretty much everyone channeled their attention into playing "DRAWSOME", an iphone app where you, just like PICTIONARY, take a guess at what your opponent draws and vice versa.

Tomorrow is a temporary holiday aka General Election where they pick 299 national congressman and women. After tomorrow, no more silly dancing, loud campaigning blasting speakers at subway stations. For those who are given a day off (including myself :)) have a great holiday. For those who aren't, well have fun at work and have a great week. I see you this Sunday as usual. Thank you very much.

Help Your Suwon Week 20

Current Balance : 200,900 won
Newly Deposited : 12,880 won
Previous Balance : 188,020 won

Last week marked our 20th gathering since its beginning back in November, 2011. The sole reason this cause could have lasted is nothing but your dedication and enthusiasm for which I thank you.

As you all have noticed, day has gotten longer. It is not dark anymore as we arrive at the NGO office. There, we see some guys looking very fresh just out of a shower. By appearance, I can't tell if they were a homeless or not.

As part of our celebration, we visited a local pub to have some hot wings. Except for some obnoxious expats there tanking on booze and spawning out of control, it was a good night. Oh, let us not forget that Kimchi fries(?) was nothing but a unique dish that puts you somewhat at puzzlement since the taste was just unfathomable. Above all, I particularly relished the moment when I got you guys all punk'd with my banter. ㅋㅋ

Anyways, I thank thee for your participation again. I may see you on Easter and Sunday as well.

Help Your Suwon Week 19

Current Balance : \188,020
Newly Deposited : \15,280(\80,000 - \57,220 - \7,500)
Previous Balance : \172,740

Thank you very much everyone for having been there last week. This past Sunday was full of fun. In addition to doing what we usually do (a little bit disappointed with the less appearance of homeless), we went to a local Indian restaurant and a very interesting cafe afterwards. The food and the ambiance was all enjoyable.

For those who missed the gathering since you were sick, I wish your swift recovery and to see you next week. Have a great day and a week everyone.

Help Your Suwon Week 18

Current Balance : 172,740 won
Newly deposited : 24,630 won (70,000 won - 45,370 won)
Previous Balance : 148,110 won

First of all, it was Maeve's birthday yesterday and unfortunately, it went unnoticed. Happy Belated Birthday, Maeve!

Secondly, at the NGO office last night, I was told that one of the workers at the old office got attacked by a homeless while he was counseling him last week. As a result, his nose was broken and thus he needs operation. I asked if they needed any financial aid from us. They said that it is going to be all covered by the insurance they are under.

The lesson that we need to learn from this tragedy is that while we interact with homeless at the station, please take a caveat and try not to get into an argument or any unwarranted dispute with the homeless. For instance, it is quite prevalent that when handed over a bag of food, they ask for more. You can say, first, no to them, in a very polite and respectful way. But, should they keep demanding, just give them another. Also, if you do not feel safe around them, please let the NGO official or me know.

This tragedy, however, should not stifle our will and commitment to the cause that we have been carrying on our shoulders for about 5 months. It is very easy for one to say that homeless does not do any good to the society and thus they should not be chaperoned at any cost. They also argue that homeless perpetrate crimes, are lazy, and, some even say, are good for nothing. This, while there may be a grain of truth to it, can not be the reason to abandon them because, like it or not, they are part of this society we live in and we have responsibilities to tend to them or at least have a minimum amount of attention to them.

At Starbucks last night, we talked about how boundless some Koreans are. On top of some kids brushing your hair with no permission or crawling under your desk without you knowing it, on the subway, some would shove you and edge out the crowd to secure a seat. When it transpired, how many times did you hear them say "Excuse me (잠깐만요)" or "I am sorry (죄송합니다, 미안합니다)".

On the other hand, whenever we arrive at the NGO office at 6:30 pm on every Sunday, approximately 40 homeless, shivering in this dreadful winter and queuing up to enter the office, yield us to go into the office first with a nice smile and warm hand gestures on top of short greetings such as "Hello" or "Thank you" that we rarely hear from the locals in return of courteous deeds. I would say that they are also boundless because, well, they, at least, do not have a sense of boundary, something that walls themselves off of us (foreigners and some Koreans)

Now, this begs a question; which "boundless" do you prefer?

Help Your Suwon Week 17

Current Balance : 148,110 won
Previous Balance : 137,930 won
Newly Deposited : 10,180 won (100,000 won - 89,820 won)

This week of Help Your Suwon welcomed back our first Hall of Faimer, Derrick. We were all glad to have him back.
Although Suwon Station was packed with the fans queued up to get an autograph of Girls Generation, we managed to give out more than 50 bags of goods. How nice.
Thank you everyone for coming out and have a great week. Oh, last but not least, I unfortunately lost the receipt for the goods we purchased. I am very sorry for my blunder.

Help Your Suwon Week 15 & 16 (Audit)

Currently Balance : 137,930 won
Newly Deposited : 4,560 won
(150,000 [week 14 & 15 combined] - 145,440 won( week 14 & 15 combined)
Previous Balance :  133,370 won

Week 15

I was absent, but I was told that it went far better than I usually call the shots. hmm.. anyhow, thanks for coming out and making a difference.

Week 16
The volunteering was preceding by watching a Korean soccer game at Big Bird. It was chilly.. but the game was fun and most def Suwon won. so, yay-

The volunteering was also fun.. although I don't fully fathom why everyone all of sudden started to heckle me, pull my legs.. oh well there is no harm in it, I presume, so won't make a big deal out of it. Oh, by the way, we've ourselves a newcomer, Simon from Canada(woo hoo) and he is a friend of Rachael. On top of this, our one and only Hall of Famer, Derrick has made his comeback and thus his name shall be crossed off from the vest which, to my surprised, everyone loves to don for some reason. :)

Last but not least, I am thinking of organizing a hiking when the weather eases up. Ideally, on a Saturday, a couple hours and then gathering afterwards. So, get your gear ready and work on your calves.. quads.. or wherever you think is necessary to hike up a mountain.

Thank you again for your dedication and the bliss that you always bring to the group.