Sewing Volunteers

[Anchor Lead]

Food, a place to live, and clothing are the three necessities of life. A group of elderly women have been reaching out to those in need by making them clothes for 50 years. Next up, we will share their heart-warming story.

[Pkg]

89-year-old Seo Doo-yeon works at a sewing machine today, as always. It all started 64 years ago, in 1953. Everyone was impoverished following the end of the Korean War, but after learning how to use a sewing machine, Seo couldn't turn a blind eye to those in need and decided to help them.

[Soundbite] Seo Doo-yeon(Sewing Machine Volunteer Corps) : "There are people who have no money and enter shelters. They cannot pay. But they are accepted for their helpless circumstances. Those people do not even have clothes to wear."

As word spread of Seo's cause, others began to join her, and the current sewing machine volunteer corps was established in 1967. It now has 17 members. They make roughly 4,000 garments and bags annually to donate to those in need. They use the allowances given by their children to purchase necessary materials.

[Soundbite] Min Jeong-hee(Sewing Machine Volunteer Corps) : "I have no time to rest and play. I choose to come here to work in my leisure time. I even make time to come and help. We will do this charity work as long as we can."

Elderly people at a nursing hospital are elated to receive the clothes. Their bright smiles wipe away the hardship required of the volunteers. Living together by sharing, each according to his or her methods or situation. That is what the sewing machine volunteers hope to achieve.