KT Group Hope Sharing Foundation announced on the 23rd that it has jointly selected Kim Ju-sul, 69, and Choi Young-sim, 70, who have practiced sharing by collecting shoe repair expenses, as the recipients of this year's final Hope Sharing Prize.
The couple operating 'Sinsegae Shoe Repair' in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, has been saving 10% of their shoe repair expenses into a piggy bank each time they receive payment, donating a total of 25 million won over the past 18 years since 2006. They started shoe repair to make a living after experiencing business failure during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) economic crisis. The couple currently earns about 1.5 million to 2 million won per month from their shoe repair shop located in a small modular building of about 2 pyeong.
Upon entering the shoe repair shop, a red piggy bank catches the eye. The couple places 10% of the shoe repair expenses into this savings box each time they receive payment. To support the couple's good deeds, customers sometimes pay more than the repair cost or choose not to take change. When the money accumulates in the piggy bank, the couple takes it and donates it to the Dong-gu Office in Gwangju.
Kim begins his day at 5 a.m. by cleaning the neighborhood as part of the elderly job program in Gwangju. Despite the 100,000 won monthly income, he approaches the work with a spirit of service to his neighbors and the community. His wife, Choi, adds 1.2 million won to their living expenses by cleaning buildings. Although they receive an old age pension from the government, the couple works tirelessly to donate.
Kim once made a significant profit by opening a shoemaking shop with his skills, and Choi has a history of participating as a national representative in the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games. However, the couple finds more happiness in their current acts of sharing than in their past glory. They said, "Through our donations, we've learned the happiness of sharing and feel as though we've gained a new life," adding, "Sharing must be emptied to be filled, and we will continue to strive to bring hope to more neighbors in the future."
The 'Hope Sharing Prize' is an award established by the KT Group Hope Sharing Foundation to encourage the activities of individuals and organizations that contribute to creating beautiful social values through sharing and to disseminate the value of sharing. The foundation's website accepts recommendations for award candidates year-round along with their good deeds and stories.