Today will mark the first anniversary of Yunho’s volunteer work in Ghana, Africa with KBS Road For Hope on Sept 22th, 2013.

To commemorate this event, we want to share this article published in 기아대책 @hungersaver webzin

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY 12, Vol. 255 December 2013

The children of Ghana should be loved

The voluntary work of TVXQ’ Jung Yunho

Ghana, which is located in west Africa, has many hidden chances because of its natural resources. Because of that it’s also called ‘the black pearl of the world’ (1). On one hand, Ghana is making a fascinating development as an emerging nation, but on the other hand the children are suffering. On the 22nd of September, Jung Yunho, the singer and actor, went for one week to Ghana with KBS’ Road For Hope to do volunteer work.

The distant Ghana

I’m in Ghana for the first time in my life. My heart is excited, but the road of challenges already started back in Korea. It should take us 20 hours to travel from Korea to Bangkok/Thailand and then to Nairobi/Kenya, and from there to the capital of Ghana (Accra). However, we faced problems in Bangkok. A typhoon delayed our flight there for 8 hours (2). Furthermore, after we arrived in Nairobi, there were terrorist attacks at a big mall. We decided to stay at our hotel for safety reasons (3). So, in the end, it took us 52 hours to get to Accra, Ghana.

The children who have never eaten chocolate

Ghana is the second biggest cocoa producer for chocolate in the world. Most of the 6-12 year old children do the hard job of climbing the trees, plucking the cocoa fruits and cleaning and drying the beans. This is why, in harvest time during September-November, the children don’t go to school but work on the cocoa fields. When we arrived at the fields, we were told there were many children plucking the fruits from the trees.

We met a 14 year old boy called Luke there. Luke helps on the cocoa farm while his aunt’s family raises him. His family had abandoned him. Even though his job was hard, he tells us his aunt can send him to school if he makes enough money. He works because of this. He parts the fruits efficiently and quickly, I tried to copy him but it’s not as easy as it looks.
You can buy a chocolate bar at the supermarket here with the money a child worked for the whole day. My heart hurt when the children told me they’ve never had eaten chocolate in their lives.
We held a little ‘sports event’ for Luke and the children who had lost their smiles. We played football, team rope jumping and mixed relay. The football ball was wrapped in the material of old socks. After the game we distributed new soccer balls, stationery and snacks. I can still see the happy jumps of the kids in front of my eyes (and I miss them). I was overwhelmed by their innocence and the time we spent with them. I regret that we had such little time to help them, because, as there was so much to do, it wasn’t enough. I at least hope the time we shared with them can remain a treasured memory.

The children who go to school with the money they earned at the beach all day

On our last stop, we visited a port village near the beach called ‘Choco’ and met 11 year old Joshua. Since he lost his parents 5 years ago, he’s been living with his grandmother and his cousins. Joshua told us that he’s been working at the beach since he’s 8 years old. He carries fish boxes and delivers firewood all day long. This way he makes 1,5-2 cedi per day, approx. 1000 won in our currency. He tells us that with the money he saves he buys his school things and lunch.
Most of the children of our country get the love of their family as a matter of course, and they can go to school securely and play with their friends. My heart breaks when, compared to our children, on the other side of the world this child has to carry such a great burden on his shoulders. I hope that these kids who have the same clear eyes and innocent smiles never have to be lonely again and can feel loved.
The truth I have learned is, that every child has the right to be loved, and if they feel loved they will also give back that love to the world. I hope the day will come that the children here in Ghana can also realise this.

author: TVXQ’ Jung Yunho, singer and actor

photos: Kim Daegyun (staff, PR team)

notes from translator:

(1) black pearls are extremely rare and expensive

(2) Typhoon Usagi, more than 50 dead, see news from 130922

(3) Westgate mall attack, 67 dead at in Nairobi, see news from 130923

To watch Yunho’s journey in Ghana with KBS Road For Hope

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV2gURU_hj8]

Credits:

기아대책 @hungersaver webzin, article is here (via 2par, via Nindy – OneHallyu)
KBS World
translated by @tigerandbambi of OneHallyu and TVXQ!Express – all mistakes are mine –

Shared by TVXQ! Express