26^th December
My life in Korea is not as interesting as it was in Africa and the Philippines.  There are no tear-gas attacks, no exorcism and no island-hopping adventures to write about.  It is, of course, more profitable - which is why I am here.

I've been trying to get involved with volunteer activism type stuff.  Here is a mini snapshot of what I've been trying to do

Finishing up my talks 
There are two things I just love talking about.  The first is religion.  I find it endlessly fascinating.  The second thing is activism/volunteerism.  It is harder to get me to shut up about them that it is to get me started.

This is why I gleefully accepted the opportunity to give talks on the Philippines, Uganda, Ghana and Liberia to a bunch of Korean kids 

I think Koreans are great people, but most of the people I talk to seem unaware of the problems people face in places like Uganda and the Philippines.  I was talking to one young Korean lady the other day and she said that I had opened her eyes and her world view had expanded.  I like that.

I like to think that is what I did with the kids that I gave the talk to. 

I tried to walk a fine line with the talks.  I didn't want to scare the poor kids out of their minds, and I didn't want to sugar-coat it either.  The situation in Northern Uganda is - well - pretty fucked up.  I can't even read some of the stuff I wrote about while I was there. 

I think I made the kids feel somber, which is about what I was aiming for.

There were plenty of sweet moments.  Like when I asked what the kids thought that Jeffery - an ex child soldier - does now.  "No, no.  He does not work as a manager for Samsung.  There is no Samsung in Northern Uganda."

Or the young girl who gave me 1,000 won (~$NZ1.40) because she "wanted to help".  Sweet kid.

As a craft activity, I had them make paper-bead bracelets a-la GrassRootsUgdana.com.  They seemed to enjoy it.

Getting paid 750,000 won (~NZ$1,000) for 5 talks was nice as I need money!, but I would of done it for free.  I just love talking about this stuff.

Note: A video from my talk about the Philippines can be found here, and my New Zealand talk can be found here.

16 Days of Activism
Back in late November, I attended the launch of the 16 Days of Activism here in Korea.  The 16 days were to highlight the plight of oppressed women all across the world.

The launch was a big ol' outdoor event with numerous booths highlighting various themes.  There was, for example, a booth from Amnesty International, and other from the Korean Women's Hotline (for whom I have done some volunteer work for) highlighting domestic violence issues.

The day culminated with performances from a Korean drum troupe; a couple of Vietnamese singers; some Filipinas (yay!) dancing both the Bulaklakan and the Tinikling; some very cool young Korean rappers; a Korean singer who must of been singing deep songs because his eyes kept closing; a Korean dance troupe doing a very cool modern dance; and some Chinese (?) folk doing a drum routine is some very silly hats.

I wanted to chat to the Filipinas, but the disappeared before I could catch up with them.

The event was nice.  I thought it was important that I attend and show my support.

Vaginas
As I mentioned back over here, I have been getting involved in V-Day Seoul 2008.  V-Day Seoul 2008 is about two things:

1. Raising Awareness
   Our main aim is to raise awareness about violence against women.  A lot of immigrant women come here via "marriage brokers" from places in South East Asia.  The brokers get $US5,000 (wtf?) and the girls expect to be paired up with some wealthy businessman in Seoul.  What they usually get though, is being married to a Korean farmer in what inevitably ends up as an abusive relationship. 
   
   A recent incident had a immigrant lady "fall" to her death from her apartment.
   
   
2. Raising Money
   We plan to raise as much money as we can for the Dasi Hamkke Center.  The center is an agency that helps victims and survivors of sex trafficking here in Korea.
   
   We had a fundraiser at a local pub recently which raised about 2.5 million won (~$NZ3,500).  Due to work commitments, I was unable to attend the event, but did write the questions for the quiz portion.
   
   Our big fundraiser is going to be a performance of the Vagina Monologues in March.

What have I been doing to help?

Well, I put together the website, (which is kindly hosted by Mike "I blush at the word 'Vagina'" Miller), helped out with auditions and trying to be helpful whenever I can.

We have an "MT day" coming up soon.  An "MT day" is kinda like a team building day here in Korea.  The actors, volunteers and organizers are all going to get together for a day and bond.  I suspect I'll be the only penis in a room full of vaginas.

During the bonding day, I am going to give a presentation about GrassRootsUganda.com and what I did while I was in Africa.  Can't wait! 

Micro-Activism 
There are the types of things I have been doing.  It is great to "get involved", "attend" and "show my support".

But, it is not enough!  I want more!  I wanna be back in the thick of Africa or the Philippines and working hard to make or a difference. 

I like my job.  It is a good job, but it is not my passion.

At events like those above, I often babble on about my passion and my dream: To get MeaningfulVolunteer.com going, become a full time activist and try to make a difference in the world. 

People have expressed their admiration at what I am trying to do, and all it does is make me feel like such a fraud: If I have this passion, then why aren't I doing it right not? 

Money.  Pure and simple.

I am due to get back to the Philippines in late August next year.  That's about 246 days from now (and counting!).  It can't come quickly enough...

Wanna help in a real and tangible way?

Then visit GrassRootsUganda.com and purchase some crafts made by Ugandan ladies.  100% of the profits are returned to the ladies