Koreans display art pieces illustrating contribution to Uganda

World Friends Korea (WFK) displayed art pieces and photos which exhibited various works volunteers from the Asian country have contributed to Uganda's health and education, but also demonstrated "the power in sharing".

The several photographs were pinned inside of the Uganda Museum, where persons and the public can continue to walk in and have view of the gallery throughout Saturday.

World Friends Korea is the new name of the Korean government's overseas volunteer group that aims at helping people around the world while enhancing Korea's brand value.

It began in 1990, where the first dispatch of 44 volunteers under the old brand KOV (Korea Overseas Volunteers) were sent to developing countries in Asia.

In 2009/2013 the launch of the new brand World Friends Korea was established and more than 20,000 volunteers have been dispatched to developing countries to share technical expertise with local residents.

The World Friends Korea volunteers' main goal is to provide "a better world through sharing and learning."

This is achieved in three categories; improvement of the quality of life of residents in developing countries, increase in cooperation and mutual understanding between developing countries and Korea and achieve self-realization and growth through service activities.

Jun Youngsuk, country director for the Korea International Cooperation Agency, said that, "The exhibition is meant to foster the spirit of volunteerism in our communities and develop a desire to always seek to help the less fortunate around us."

She said the WFK had dispatched more than 100 volunteers to Uganda since 2010, who participated in different development programmes across the country, especially in Mbale, Lira, Soroti, Kampala, and Mpigi.

Some of the notable achievements by the volunteers included: setting up an audiometry and emergency room at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, a central supply room at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, and construction of a library at Lira Secondary School.

The volunteers also constructed a patients' waiting room at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital and established a basketball court at Mbale Secondary School.

At present, 15 Korean volunteers were in Mbale, Iganga, Nsangi, Mpigi and Kampala districts.

The function was graced by a delegation from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. There was a group which performed Korean folk song Arirang.

The volunteers are dispatched for a period of two years in the host country.The exhibition was opened to showcase their work and the growth that has been achieved in the period of their voluntary service.

Youngsuk said KOICA continued its endeavors to combat poverty by supporting sustainable socio-economic growth of partner countries.

With the agency currently having 26 on-going projects in Uganda which are focused in priority cooperation areas related with health, education and rural development, WFK was "privileged to be a contributor," she said.