1. [The Mighty 10 Won Coin]

Small change adds up. Members of the Gyeonggi Province Saemaul Association raised more than $20,000 this year in the 10 won denomination. The money is to be used to help the less fortunate in the province.

sync \” The coins have been collected.\”

All the coins collected one at a time in piggy banks have been combined.

From last June through the beginning of November the Gyeonggi Province Saemaeul Association dispersed piggy banks among local residents to collect the 10 won denominations that have little practical use compared with other coins.

1) s- Gyeonggi Province Saemaeul Association 10 won coin drive

In six months Saemaeul Association members and local residents collected $20,500. The mountain of coins that were gathered weighed a total of 12 tons.

2) s- $20,500 won collected in 6 months

3)
{I didn\’t know so much would be collected. In helping to save the country and help others all the difficulties I faced in the drive melted away.}

The first time the Gyeonggi Province Saemaeul Association started the drive in 2003 they collected about $6,700, but gradually increased each year totalling more than $20,000 this year. The total amount of coins collected in the six years is $89,000.

The coins are being used to help the less fortunate residents.

4)
{These days our less fortunate residents are suffering more each day under the burden caused by the slow economy. We hope to work together to help them in such dire circumstances.}

At present there is about $4.4 million worth of 10 won coins in circulation, but most remain unused in piggy banks and desk drawers.

The uses of 10 won coins are few, and are burdensome, but if collected they have even more value than other denominations.

2. [Global Learning Center]

The Icheon English Village which opened on November 14th is about be fully operational. The high standard English education program has been well-received by Icheon City and local residents.

The Icheon English Village, which is a place to study English and have cultural experiences will open its doors December 1st.

1)s- Icheon English Village to open its doors December 1st

Construction began in 2006 for the Icheon English Village through a collaboration with UNESCO the multinational global organization.

2)s- UNESCO-Icheon City, began construction from 2006

3)
{This will be a good opportunity for people in Icheon and the surrounding regions who did not previously have many chances to practice English in use.}

A　major draw of the program were the themes outside of English class that students can study including NGO invitational special lectures including the 3 subjects: of peace, environment and culture. These are part of the hands-on programs for students to understand global society and culture.

4)s- Lectures for the understanding of global society and culture

The children\’s response to the trial program they participated in was good.

6)
{It seems I can learn English and have a good chance to speak with foreigners.}

7)
{It\’s nice that I can learn English and the culture of other countries.}

With such a strong response from residents, the regular course has already been completely filled.

We expect that through various cultural programs and English study, children from this region can be established as talented globally.

3. [Food Life Manager]

With the recent increase in the number of dual-income households and multicultural families springing up, a new occupation has been created. The food life manager specializes in menus that are nutritious for families and cooking techniques. They are drawing volunteers to provide free cooking instruction to foreign wives.

This is a food life manager course by the Women Vision Center. Last October this course was customized for women in the province who already have a culinary certificate.

1) s- Food life manager : a specialist providing instruction for family cooking

Students taking the course visit a vietnamese foreign-wife\’s home. They came to teach cooking methods to foreign wives who are not familiar with Korean food.

2) s- Volunteering cooking instruction for multicultural families

The foreign wives jot down everything about how to make watery radish kimchi, fried anchovies, and bulgogi.

3)
{I am happy I learned a lot about Korean cooking so I can cook with my mother-in-law.}

The direct cooking instruction by the managers in training is volunteer, but is also very rewarding.

4)
{Those I teach really like it, and are glad. When I see them so glad it makes me grateful that I can be a part of this volunteer work.}

Of the many cooking classes out there, only this one allows for an exchange and understanding of each other\’s cultures in person.

5)
{After trying it out with a few families I thought this was mutually beneficial. The wives like cooking conveniently in their own homes. If the response is good I plan to keep it up.}

The food life manager takes the stage amidst growing numbers of working moms and foreign wives.

The food life manager brings nutrition to dual income families where it is easily neglected, and helps foreign wives better settle in Korean society.

4. [G-Food Show]

This year at the G-Food show many spectators attended showing great interest in the foods presented.

Under the theme of \’How is your dinner table these days?\’ the \”G-Food show 2008\” was held for four days starting from the 20th.

1)s-2008 G Food Show/Seoul COEX Mall(October 20~23)

This is the G-Food show held over the weekend
Here foreigners participated in a lunch box contest.

2)s-\’Foreigner lunch box contest\’ held

At the contest, events were held to promote wholesome Gyeonggi crops and the creation of lunches. Provincial Governor Kim Mun-su attended the start of the contest.

The second national rice cake contest awards ceremony was held.

3)s-\’National rice cake awards ceremony\’ held

This year 260,000 people attended the G-Food show. The sales of agricultural and marine products from booths totalled $358,000.

4)s-Spectators: 260,000, sales from booths: $358,000

The export business talks held on the first day included much interest in domestic agricultural and marine products and processed foods. The talks resulted in more than $20 million worth of export contracts concluded.

5)s- $20,310,000 worth of export contracts concluded

6)
(The G-Food Show has helped change our youths mindset about agriculture. It was a chance to show that farming is not a local industry, but a global one, and an export industry.)

At this year\’s event the G school lunch food sampling and Korean beef auction drew many participants with the hands-on experiences, and received a good response.

7)s- Many hands-on opportunities for participants

5. [Bulk Purchases for School Lunches]

Parents always worry about what their children eat. Schools within Gyeonggi Province are carrying out a proposal which can supply them with lower-cost foods.

This is an elementary school in Hwaseong carrying out a test lunch program with bulk purchases.

At this school from this semester 5 schools in the region cooperated in a joint purchase of food resources for school lunches.

The cost is 2500 won, the same as last year, but the level of satisfaction is much higher.

1)
{The response from parents was very positive.}

When making a cooperative purchase the unit cost of the food resources is much lower providing a more wholesome meal for students.

2)s- Improving the quality of lunches, providing wholesome foods

3)
{The school lunches have improved greatly in terms of nutrition and quality compared with before. With many schools participating the fairness can be secured as well.}

Gyeonggi Province has plans next year to expand the cooperative purchase trial program throughout the province.

In building the unified system for school lunches, the cooperation of schools will deal directly with farms to provide food resources.

4)s- Unified systems for school lunches to be built – contracted cultivation with schools

In addition, farms that can meet the demand and contract with the cooperation will be able to maintain a secure income.

5)s- Secure income maintained for farmers

6. [Three Generations Together]

Bundang is loaded with various amenities. However, further away, the Byeonduri region lacks many cultural facilities. Here, a senior center has been transformed into a cultural space.

Mother and grandmother are absorbed in reading while the child and grandchild is intently reading a comic book.
It feels like a library, but is in fact a senior center.

1)s- Yuldong Senior Center (Seongnam Bundang-gu)

2)
(Bundang\’s Byeonduri senior center was created into a village school where three generations can live.)

With new flooring and about 360 books lining the shelves, this center is no different than a library.
The center has recently opened, but is packed with visitors everyday, both adults and children from the village.

3)
(It\’s nice to read and be with the children)
4)– Right
(I enjoy being together with the children.)
Children who didn\’t have anywhere to go after school like this place a lot.
5(
(I like it here. There are senior citizens here, I can study with my friends, read and talk.)
In the future, the center will add more books, classes, and programs as part of plans to become a comprehensive cultural space for three generations.
6)s- Plans for cultural programs

7. [Hands-on Self-Support Relay]

There is a growing number who will have a tough time this winter due to the slow economy. In Gunpo, Gyeonggi social icons have participated in experiencing first hand the life of some residents. It became a time of understanding.

Director Song Yun-seok of the Gunpo Cultural Center visited seniors who live alone. Caring for seniors and tending the sick was his duty for the day.

Hurrying through the laundry and cleaning, cooking and even doing the dishes were part of the itinerary.

Also, only playing at the cultural center was a bamboo flute concert for the seniors.

1)
{I came to play the flute for seniors, but seeing how much they like it is very rewarding.}

Figures of social standing in Gunpo spent a day caring for and nursing the elderly firsthand at the local self-support center to help those facing hardships.

2) s- Social figures carried out local self-support relay

3)
{I reflected on the program because I didn\’t know much about it. I was able to understand those who do this work for living after trying it myself.}

Understanding for those with a tough life gives hope to those at the self-support center.

4)
{I am grateful that they tried to understand our mental suffering and hope they can help more in the future.}

We expect to see continuous effort by social figures who tried to understand, support and sympathize with residents