Thank You Letter After Local Government Support Project
"I Wanted to Hear Encouragement to 'Try More'"
A letter from a college student receiving basic livelihood security benefits who received customized support through the Didim Seed Bank (Self-Reliance Bank) in Dong-gu, Busan, has been shared, touching many hearts.
On the 18th, it was reported that a letter arrived recently at the Dong-gu Office from Kim (21), a college student who is caring alone for his sick mother. Kim received assistance through Dong-gu’s customized self-reliance support project for youth who have matured their Didim Seed Bank accounts. The Didim Seed Bank, which can be maintained until the age of 24, allows youth from basic livelihood security households to save a fixed amount monthly, with local governments providing support up to 100,000 KRW per month. However, Kim closed his Didim Seed Bank account in May last year. Since his part-time job salary had to cover his mother’s hospital bills, Kim had no choice but to close the account to pay for tuition fees.
During this process, Kim learned about Dong-gu’s customized support project and applied for assistance. The “Self-Reliance Bank Maturity Closure Child Support Project,” the first of its kind nationwide, provides tailored support such as employment and self-reliance counseling and costs for certifications to vulnerable youth aged 18 and over who close their self-reliance bank accounts upon maturity. Through this project, Kim obtained a driver’s license and computer certification. He also plans to receive career counseling from a social worker mentor.
In his letter, Kim wrote, “There has never been a moment in my life when I was not poor,” adding, “I have always had to prove (my poverty) and receive the corresponding treatment. I had to fall below certain standards like ‘this much lacking’ or ‘this much struggling.’” He continued, “Through this project, I started to think differently. I am someone who does this well and can achieve this much. That’s why they believe in me and support me. I came to think that the life I have lived is not deficient but being compensated for.” He also expressed gratitude, saying, “My mother always said, ‘It’s okay to give up if it’s hard,’ but I think I wanted to hear words of encouragement like ‘Try harder.’”
This support project, which Dong-gu piloted last year in cooperation with the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation Busan Regional Headquarters, will be fully implemented this year. Last year, the project provided customized self-reliance support services worth about 15 million KRW to 12 youth who closed their accounts upon maturity. A Dong-gu official stated, “Currently, the project is operated with the budget of the Green Umbrella Busan Headquarters, but we expect the number of applicants to increase two to three times in the future,” adding, “We ask for much interest so that more youth entering society can become self-reliant.”
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