The Catholic Times in its recent issue introduced us to the Korea Hope Foundation and its work as we approach World Poverty Eradication Day (October 17).
Cheol-soon Lee, Executive Director of the Korea Hope Foundation reminds us: "Poverty is a serious threat to human freedom and dignity." Continual commitment to alleviating poverty and discrimination requires cooperation to foster the "will of self-reliance" of the poor.
The poor, the socially discriminated against, become frustrated when they feel that no one understands them or listens to them. The Korea Hope Foundation is showing concern so that they can stand on their own.
The executive director of the Korea Hope Foundation had a leading role in its beginning in 2005. The role of the Korea Hope Foundation is to "become not only giving money or food to the poor but also becoming a collaborator who fosters their self-reliance through solidarity," said the Director who has dedicated her whole life to raising and resolving human poverty and discrimination, especially women's poverty and discrimination.
"It is impossible for poverty to completely disappear from the world, but efforts to eradicate poverty must continue," she said.
The World Day for the Eradication of Poverty was established by the United Nations in 1992. On October 17, 1987, at the Human Rights Square in Trocadero, Paris, France, a crowd of 100,000 gathered under the leadership of Father Joseph Wresinski to unveil a memorial to the victims of poverty and lack of education. In 1987, Fr. Wresinski launched the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty later recognized by the United Nations General Assembly.
"The majority of the poor suffer from hard work and lack of food, clothing, and shelter. As such, it is easy to see poverty as only a material problem but what it ultimately deprives is human freedom and dignity. That is why we must strive to respect and support the free will of the poor."
Although helping people in poor countries who are materially poor and do not have access to education is often expressed as 'support' or 'aid', Executive Director Lee emphasized that it should be 'cooperation'. The word support or aid means that the strong or the rich give charity to the weak or the poor. It is helping people in poor countries in Asia and Africa to plant farms and create drinking water facilities, and to build schools and dormitories for children who did not have the opportunity to learn. In times of natural disasters and COVID-19, they offered urgent help. What is important is that it induces the participation and cooperation of residents in all these projects.
"It is difficult at first, but it is necessary to instill a sense of accomplishment and a spirit of cooperation that 'we can do it and 'we did it. We have to work together," she added.
The Director urged Korean churches and believers for more interest in and support for the Korea Hope Foundation. "Catholic priests and lay people mainly participated to form the Korea Hope Foundation, and we are helping the poor beyond church boundaries. Please accompany the Korea Hope Foundation, in its work with the poor of the world.
