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Actor Helps Poor Ethiopian Children

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

A documentary depicting the relationship between a top Korean actor and a young Ethiopian girl is expected to warm the hearts of viewers this Saturday. "MBC Special", a documentary series that offers inspiring works, is presenting "The Secret Behind 35,000 won".

The documentary follows the journey of "Compassion", a Christian non-governmental organization (NGO) aimed to help children living in poverty, and its sponsors and volunteers, and particularly actor Cha In-pyo.

"Compassion" connects sponsors with children in need of shelter, food and education in areas including Ethiopia, South Africa and Asia. By a monthly donation of just 35,000, sponsors can change a child's poverty-stricken life to a well-educated and a safe environment. The documentary will show Ethiopian children suffering from devastating conditions and the stories between Cha, as a sponsor, and the children.

At the press conference of the documentary, Cha and producer Han Hak-soo explained the meaning and purpose of the sponsorships.

"People tell us that we should first help those who are near, for instance, North Koreans. But we believe that helping our neighbors should be a part of our lives, not through a project", said Han.

Cha and his wife Shin Ae-ra, top actress and the spokesperson of the organization, have been sponsoring a ten-year-old Ethiopian girl Yideneck, among 29 others, for the past two years. Yideneck's life has drastically changed after she met her "sponsor parents". The documentary shows the change ― from the girl with no dreams to a bright and confident girl ― through the eyes of Cha.

"For some parents (in Ethiopia), registering their children to `Compassion' is their only wish. They can't afford anything for their children and so `Compassion' can seem like the only hope", said Cha.

"Compassion" first started by American missionary Everett Swanson in 1952. Swanson came to Korea to deliver his beliefs to U.N. soldiers stationed here and found Korean orphans who were battered by the war.

Determined to save these children, he returned to the United States and started pleading for help, launching an international children sponsor organization "Compassion".

According to Cha, the spreading of the Korean branch's work toward these countries is the reason for the organization's existence.

"One of the most asked questions are `Will we be able to turn into a strong country like Korea in 50 years?' To them, Korea, a once war-torn country but now one of the most successful nations in the world, is a legend. Koreans are treated as heroes", said Cha.

"35,000 won" also shares the story of Cho Yong-jin. A Canadian family sponsored Cho through "Compassion" when he was young. A successful banker now, Cho sponsors three children with the help of "Compassion".

"Visiting the children that we sponsor is not a big deal. We think of it as growing a tree. A warm hug will become the nutrients for the child to grow. Many children don't fully understand the concept of sponsoring, so they continuously ask for money and clothes at first. But they will grow to learn the hope and love the sponsors have given to them", said Cha.

"The Secret Behind 35,000 Won" will be aired this Saturday 11:45 p.m.

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