Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | 

The story of a couple who donated a well instead of holding a wedding ceremony is touching hearts. International relief and development NGO WorldShare announced that the couple Seo Hanna and Ryu Hyun (both 33) donated 5 million won of their wedding funds instead of holding a wedding ceremony.

The donation was used to install a well in a stilt house slum community in Hmaubi Township, Myanmar.

The two met while majoring in social welfare at university. As they prepared for marriage, they contemplated a "meaningful beginning" and chose sponsorship instead of a wedding ceremony.

The future bride Seo Hanna said, "Since I was young, I wanted to have a meaningful marriage rather than just a wedding ceremony. Water is an essential element of life, and I thought it could provide sustained help."

The couple also considered domestic donation recipients such as abandoned dog shelters and facilities for single mothers, but after seeing children struggling with lack of drinking water, they chose to support overseas well construction. After reviewing several organizations, they proceeded with their donation through

WorldShare, which has consistently carried out well construction projects.

The decision to skip the wedding ceremony was not easy. However, both sets of parents respected the couple's choice and expressed their support.

The well was completed last year on December 22 in the township of Hmawbi near a health center and a WorldShare study room. The couple decided to make this date their wedding anniversary. Ms. Seo stated, "It only felt real when I saw the photo with our names engraved on the plaque. I thought it was truly the right choice."

This sponsorship also had a positive impact on those around them. Ms. Seo said, "I heard many people say they wanted to try making donations to commemorate their marriage or their child's birthday. This choice made me feel I should live more diligently."

Lee Byung-hee, head of WorldShare's International Operations Department, said, "This is a case where an individual's decision created change in the community, showing that sharing can begin at important moments in life."

Meanwhile, WorldShare conducts child-community centered regional development projects in approximately 20 countries worldwide, including group homes, overseas child sponsorship, education, health, and humanitarian assistance.

WorldShare is an international relief and development NGO that has obtained special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC), actively working in approximately 20 countries worldwide in the areas of children's group homes, 1:1 child sponsorship, educational support, water and sanitation, medical health, and emergency relief projects.

(translated by AI, edited by David Kendall)