Twice per month, Francine Sabal (2013 MDP, Belize) leaves the KDI School of Public Management and Policy campus and makes her way to the Dongdaemun Welfare Center where, for an hour, she teaches English to third graders.

I strongly believe that whatever knowledge was passed on to us by others we owe it to others to pass it down to them too.

Francine is one of nine devoted students participating in the Volunteer English Program run by the KDI School Library.

The volunteer program, which started in 2009, provides Korean teens from low-income families the opportunity to improve their English and be exposed to diverse cultures. At the start of the Spring semester, the Library sends out the call asking for students with a proficiency in English, enthusiasm and love for children to sign up. Nine students from Bangladesh, Belize, Iran, Egypt, Belarus, Algeria, Colombia and Nigeria answered that call and in return are rewarded with the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child.

The program runs from April to December and currently enrolls 25 eager teens and 9 dedicated student-teachers. At the end of the program, the teachers each receive a Voluntary Community Service Certificate and memories to last a lifetime.

By Kendra GRIFFITH (2013 MDP, Belize)