I started serving as a learning mentor of “Giving Wings to My Dream” from the middle of the summer in 2012, and my serving has finally ended. I thought about the moments when I just started mentoring. I loved meeting children and I came to enjoy studying Korean language with my mentees. Without my knowledge, mentoring has become a large part of my college life. When I think about myself now and then, I was just a kid like my mentees. I started reflecting on myself and trying to be more enthusiastic about my life. For the five years that I spent with HUMAN IN LOVE, I found myself became as a much better person.
[Min-jeong Song was awarded a citation for her dedication to volunteering by the head of Guro district office (December 2016) ]
”Am I really able o teach them?”
”“As a mentor, can I influence them in a positive way?”
When I first started mentoring, I was really worried. However, I realized that my mentees wanted me not just to get higher scores. Instead I found that they were looking for those who can stand by them under their harsh conditions as their lives are beautiful but tough. To them. I was more of a sister who can stand by them rather than just a grateful volunteer who shares her knowledge.
[Min-jeong Song, a mentor of “Giving Wings of My Dream” (First from the right, October 2012) ]
The mentoring activities of “Giving Wings to My Dream” had a great impact on my life, too. My dream was to be a writer. I wanted to give positive influence on others and make them happy. This is the power of writing. While serving as a learning mentor, I was attracted to the fact that I can help others. Seeing them grow up as a decent human being, I got to believe in myself. To protect teenagers’ rights, I entered a graduate school of law. Every time I feel exhausted by studying law and justice, I think about those whom I need to protect. Then I feel grateful. I think the idea that I can give positive influence on others protects me. Thanks to my mentees who thanked and believed in myself more, I study hard and feel happy.
[Mentor Min-jeong Song is working on group activities with her mentees at a vacation camp (Second from the left, August 2014)]
While engaged in “Giving Wings to My Dream (Giving wings to my dream)”, I’ve become a university student aged 23 years old. The last five years were the time that I could grow up. I was happy at every moment. I’m really thankful to HUMAN IN LOVE for making my early twenties happy. I’d like to finish this writing, hoping that I can keep my relationship with HUMAN IN LOVE lasting long.
