Bombarded with assignments and exams, as well as various club activities, KAIST students often find it difficult to spare time for volunteering. For students who are not members of volunteering clubs such as Didimdol, summer vacation is one of the only times during which students can regularly render community services. Several outreach programs and organizations are introduced below.

▲ Animal centers preserve the lives of abandoned animals

Soup Kitchen

National Chunsa Soup Kitchen is a non-governmental organization that operates soley on donations to regularly provide meals for the impoverished. Students can contribute by either sponsoring such organizations or by directly participating in a meal providing service. This organization provides meals twice a week for around 1,000 senior citizens living alone at 22 meal centers around the country. Sunflower Table is one of the three soup kitchens in Daejeon established by this organization. It is located at Galma-dong and provides meals every Saturday. Considering Korea has the highest old-age poverty rate among the Organization for the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, getting acquainted with and providing food to the elderly is no doubt one way to make your vacation meaningful. More information about the locations and schedules of services can be found at http://1004n.co.kr.

Animal Protection Center

Taking care of injured, diseased, or homeless animals is another voluntary service that is quite popular among college students. Most animal protection centers preserve the lives and ensure the safety of abandoned animals in accordance with the Animal Protection Act. In addition, these centers promote and arrange the re-adoption of abandoned animals to give them opportunities for new lives. Until re-adoption, these animals are kept clean and healthy, with regular vaccines and checkups to prevent the occurrence and spread of contagious diseases. Daejeon Animal Protection Center is the official, government-run animal protection organization in Daejeon. Voluntary services are limited from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and allow only up to five visitors per day. Schedules for services can be arranged online at http://www.daejeon.go.kr/ani/index.do.

Orphanage

Spending time with children at orphanages is probably the most common form of voluntary service, since many middle and high schools regularly take students to child care centers not only to give help, but also to develop students’ empathy, compassion, sense of responsibility, and awareness of the community. An orphanage at Yuseong-gu called Chun Yang Won welcomes visitors and volunteers. Voluntary services here are largely divided into three types: physical labor, academic tutoring, and non-academic teachings. Visits, either one-time or regular, should be arranged beforehand by phone at 042-822-0227. Information about sponsoring, donating, and applying as a volunteer can be found at http://donation.cyw.net/. 

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