In early March of this year, SNU announced a plan to expand and carry out extensive remodeling of the 40-year-old main library. To accomplish this goal, SNU has been conducting a fund-raising campaign both offline and online (http://friends.snu.ac.kr). It is estimated that SNU needs to raise 100 billion won by February 2014.
The first person to donate money in the campaign was CHO (pseudonym, 27), a part-time gas station attendant who only holds a high school diploma. On March 7, he left one million won with a letter at the SNU main library.
Cho's life has been hard. He grew up poor without a mother. Five years ago, Cho had to drop out of the junior college he was attending because of financial hardship. Since then, he has kept his head above water by working at a gas station, for which he’s paid 5100 won an hour. Nevertheless, on his day off, he goes to the SNU library, and reads novels and philosophical books all day to quench his thirst for knowledge."All I have is 30 million won. Donating the money was never an easy decision for me. Besides, I was worried that people might point fingers at me, saying 'you don't even know how to take care of your own life,'" he said.
"I have always thought I should give back to society," Cho says, explaining the reason behind his donation. Over the years, he has received basic living subsidies from the government and various kinds of help from his neighbors."I am so uneducated that I get English letters confused sometimes. However, I would be more than happy to see my donation help bright SNU students, which will ultimately benefit our country." He has kept his donation a secret even from his father, and pleaded SNU not to reveal his real name.
Upon finding out about Cho's generosity, SNU President OH Yeon-Cheon answered Cho's letter, and said"I am very moved by how he has lived through so many difficulties. I will make sure SNU makes the best of his donation."
"I don't know what to say. I could only donate a million because I didn't have enough money, but I still get this much praise? I guess I should be the one who is grateful now," said Cho the day he received the letter from President Oh at his usual hang-out, the main library.
Cho's letter is posted online on the campaign website (http://friends.snu.ac.kr), and many SNU students who read the letter are expressing deep gratitude and respect for him, reminded of their social responsibility as future leaders of Korea thanks to his good deed. SNU students might not know Cho or even his real name, but his words will live long in their heart.
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies, eps7257@snu.ac.kr
Proofread by Brett Johnson, SNU English Editor, morningcalm2@gmail.com