"Finally Giving Back to the School That Raised My Children"... 90-Year-Old Grandmother Donates Scholarship

On the 2nd, grandmother Lee Imsun (left in the photo) donated a scholarship fund of 7 million won to Gwangju Geukrak Elementary School, the alma mater of her children. Photo provided by the family of Lee Imsun.

The story of a mother from Pyeongchon, who raised seven children and donated a scholarship to their alma mater, has drawn public attention.

The protagonist, grandmother Lee Imsun (age 90), donated a scholarship of 7 million won to Gwangju Geukrak Elementary School, her children's alma mater, on January 2.

Grandmother Lee has five sons and two daughters: Donggyu (39th graduating class), Namgyu (40th), Haenggyu (42nd), Bugyu (45th), Burye (47th), Eunju (48th), and Geumgyu (51st), all of whom graduated from Gwangju Geukrak Elementary School.

She explained the reason for her donation, saying, "I have always been grateful to the school that educated my children, but it was all I could do to feed and clothe seven siblings. Now that my children are all grown and even my grandchildren are adults, I wanted to give back to the community and society, even if it is a bit late."

In the past, Lee raised her children while running both a farm and a poultry business in Pyeongchon Village, Seo-gu, Gwangju. Even after losing her husband in an unexpected accident in 1989, she continued to support her family by farming dozens of pyeong of land on her own.

Later, the area where her rice fields were located was developed into the Sangmu District, and she moved to an apartment, but she continued to make a living by selling spinach and other vegetables she grew in her own garden at the Sangmu Friday Market.

This scholarship was prepared by diligently saving small earnings from these activities, along with allowances given by her children.

She said, "It is not a large amount, but it is a token of gratitude to the school that helped raise my children well," and promised, "Starting this year, I will donate 7 million won every year at the graduation ceremony."

She also requested that the scholarship be used for the benefit of the students.

Her generosity does not stop here.

Her youngest son, Geumgyu, who is the managing attorney at Law Firm Dosi, graduated from Chonnam National University. Since 2024, she has also been donating 10 million won annually to the university to support the education of future generations.

The good deeds of Lee Imsun, who is returning the fruits of a lifetime of hard work to her community, are quietly but profoundly resonating with those around her, spreading a positive influence.