On the past November 16, about our 80 activists and members from our 11 branches nationwide took part in 2011's Photo Expo for Exchanging Hopes at our Hall of Education.
The events are composed of three sessions: the 1st session was to send ‘piggy bank of Hopes’ to Indian poor women; the 2nd session to present cases for action regarding social economy; and 3rd session to hold a market for Exchanging Hopes entitled ‘the Joy of Sharing, Happy Smile.’
Over a year, activists and members from our 11 branches collected ‘piggy bank of Hopes’ worth 3 million Won to support livestocks for poor Indian women. With the money 10 Indian women can have a cow of Hope, because a cow cost about 300,000 Won. On that day, Maria Rhie, a standing director of Korea Hope Foundation expressed her thanks to our members and staff persons who raised the fund.
The 2nd session when cases for action regarding social economy was presented, was a good chance to share a very diversity of practical social economic activities which have been carried out nationwide so far, including community coin movement, credit union activities, local communities, and alternative job movements.
In the last session, local markets for Exchanging Hope were combined with the central market of Exchanging Hope. People were able to purchase EM products, alternative foods, various clothes, accessaries and others. Furthermore, our regional branches prepared each food for our dinner together to share our activities and had a wonderful time.
We at the KWWA and regional branches made a resolution to more various alternative activities in 2012.