The “Gazette” interviewed Lee Sang-geun, the president of the Home of Hope, who graduated from Keimyung University in 1981. He is in charge of an organization that takes care of many orphans. He gives the children true love and teaches them how to love others.

1. Would you introduce the Home of Hope in Yeongcheon in detail?
The Home of Hope in Yeongcheon was established in 1952 by my father before the end of the Korean War. At that time, Yeongcheon was a battle locality. There were many orphans who lost their parents. My father decided to set the Home of Hope up to look after them. Now, we have about fifty children from infant to 18 years old. We support the children until high school.

2. I heard that your major was voice. What made you run a social welfare organization? Is it run at your personal expense?
Yes, right. My major was voice. I became the president of the Home of Hope, which was established by my father, after graduating university and finishing army service. This facility isn't run at private expense. We are supported by the government because it's a government organization.

3. When do you feel fulfilled in working for children?
I'm like a father for many children. I'm satisfied whenever I see my children grow up to get married and be fathers or mothers. When they visit here on a big holiday or other special day, I feel delighted and contented.

4. Would you tell me your interesting experience?
If our children get married, I go to the marriage ceremony. When I started to run the Home of Hope, I was 27 years old and an unmarried man. At that time, I went to their weddings as a brother. I'm old now and I take the father's part in the weddings. However, sometimes when our grown children get married to one of the people who has grown up in the Home of Hope, I wonder which side is mine, the bride or the groom.

5. These days, there are many social problems with abusing children. What do you think about that?
I'm so sad to hear that because children should be loved, not controlled. Some parents still consider their children belongings. That's very dangerous. I am so sorry to hear that kind of bad news happening. It is not easy to control many children, and that's why some bad leaders in this kind of organization make errors. These days many things have been changed and have been getting better. I am sure that kind of bad happening will soon disappear.

6. What is the most important thing to work for social welfare?
The most important thing is a passion for this job. If people running a social welfare organization don't have love for children, they never feel any satisfaction. In addition, we give children the spirit of Christianity. It means living together with love, truth, and hope.

7. Do you have anything to say to Keimyung University students?
I would like to say that it would be great if the students visited a social welfare organization and learned how to live together helping other people. Helping each other is not only for the students of social welfare. I think it is a great thing to do something for others. I want to recommend students make friends with our children.