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From Korea with Blessing Published on 18/11/2011 한국으로부터 온 축복 아래의 기사는 동부아프리카국가들을 대상으로 구독되어지는 케냐의 The Standard 그룹의 신문기사로서 인터뷰 당시에 서로 다른 문화적 차이와 언어의 다른 이해로 
약간은 과장되어 기사화되었음을 미리 밝힙니다. 그러나 정성을 다해준 The Standard에 감사드리며 이 글을 올림을 여러분께 미리 양해드립니다. In 1977, Chang Ok Lee contracted a serious bout of malaria and asked God for healing in exchange for a life of service to the poor in Africa. This is how the organisation I Love Africa was born, writes ALLAN OLINGO 1977년, 이창옥은 심각한 풍토병에 걸렸다. 그녀는 신에게 부르짖었고 삶을 얻는 대신 가난한 아프리카를 위해 헌신하겠다고 약속했다. 아래 글은 NGO아이러브아프리카가 어떻게 탄생하게 되었는지에 대한 기사다. 라이터 ALLAN OLINGO {PHOTOS: MOSES OMUSULA / STANDARD} 사진: MOSES OMUSULA / STANDARD What inspired you to start the organisation I Love Africa? NGO아이러브아프리카는 어떻게 시작되었습니까? In 1977, I was living with my husband in Monrovia, Liberia where he had been posted. I contracted malaria and was unwell for some time. This was to be my turning point. I asked God to heal me and I would serve him. When He did it, I gave my life to Christ and vowed to start a project that would help the poor. I started the I Love Africa NGO, which now has a presence in 53 African countries. What are the objectives of I Love Africa? NGO아이러브아프리카의 설립목적은 무엇인가요? Our main goal is to help eradicate poverty through the use of media. The organisation aims to meet the United Nations Millennium Development goals by improving social conditions in Africa. We provide child welfare, access to clean drinking water, food relief, medical treatment and help children infected and affected by HIV. We want to improve the lives of vulnerable children like orphans and abandoned babies across the continent. Where do you get funding for your projects? 사업을 위한 자금 조달은 어떻게 하시나요? We liase with the media and other like-minded organisations to create awareness on the plight of the needy. I use the media to sensitise the Korean people on the challenges that Africa is going through. We produce films and documentaries that highlight the plight of the poor people in Africa then show the Korean donors. Through this I manage to get contributions, which we channel to the construction of schools, health facilities and boreholes. Why did you choose film as a media to help the needy? 왜 미디어를 아프리카를 돕는 매체로 사용하시나요? I noticed that it has the power to impact many people across the globe. Films and documentaries are the easiest way to convince the people that Africa needs their help. What are some the projects you have undertaken? 아이러브아프리카를 통해 착수하신 사업이 있으신가요? We have sunk four boreholes in Tanzania and also built a church. In Kenya, we have sunk boreholes in Kajiado, built a dispensary in Samburu and distributed food in Turkana. We are also in the process of sinking boreholes in Turkana. What are the challenges you faced when starting the project? 이 일을 시작하실 때 직면한 문제들이 있으셨나요? When I was starting off, at first my husband was against the idea because he thought Africa was a dangerous place and I could not have a solution to its problems. Coming from a royal family, some of my family members could not understand why I wanted to do charity for Africa and they discouraged me. Selling the idea to the Korean people was also a challenge. You see, the rich Koreans shun poor people and convincing them to help l was a problem. But by the grace of God we managed to overcome these problems. What kind of background are you from? 성장배경, 가정환경이 어떠셨어요? I was born and brought up in a rich royal family in Seoul, South Korea. I had everything I wanted. When I was still single I used to live in South Korea with my parents. But when I got married, I joined my husband in Liberia where he was working. It was in Liberia that I came face to face with crippling poverty. How does the project work? 사업은 어떻게 진행하실 겁니까? With the help of my point men, I identify grass root organisations that are running projects that meet our objectives. We then give them the funds we have collected from the Korean people and they use it to fund their projects. How do you ensure transparency and accountability in the projects? 어떤 방법으로 투명하고 책임감 있는 사업이 되게 하실 것인지요? I do my best to visit all the projects in all the 54 countries to ensure that the money disbursed has been put to good use. It pains me when I see NGO officials misusing and mismanaging money meant to help the needy. Recently, I was in Turkana to inspect some projects. That is the reason I am in Kenya, I want to have a personal feel of the projects. http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000046917&cid=300 |
