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Visitor from South Korea helps Foodbank for 6 months

4th November 2016

My name is Hyungsik Kim from South Korea. I am studying Social Policy MA course in the University of Birmingham. I am living with my family, wife and 2 daughters. My wife is the choir conductor of Korean Vision Church in Birmingham and the member of the ‘City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus’.

I am civil servant in my country. I work for the ‘Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ which is similar to the ‘Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ in the UK government. I have worked in various fields of agriculture and food policy for 7 years. Then, Korean government gave me chance to study abroad for 2 years, and I decided to study in the University of Birmingham. I have been studying for 1 year and 6 months from August of 2014, so I will go back to Korea this July.

I regularly go to Wednesday’s foodbank in St Margaret’s Church, I started to volunteer as a placement of my MA course, and I am very happy to work in the foodbank. My main role is to prepare foodbank opening and to help packing and delivering food. I do also meet and discuss with foodbank users, as shown in the picture.

While working in the foodbank, I can learn how churches get involved in social issues. I think churches are one of the most important social welfare provision in the UK. The people who need emergency food can get their food easily in the churches. Therefore, the churches can deliver the Jesus love as well. In Korea, there are many people who need emergency food, and much food is being thrown away because of the expiration date. I expect that many churches in Korea can play an important role of solving this problem. When I go back to Korea, I will consider the way to apply foodbank system to Korea society.

 

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