The Wind Beneath My Wings: Precious People In My Golden Memories

The Wind Beneath My Wings:
Precious People In My Golden Memories
Lee, Haesoo

If I can save only one among my memories, then what will I select?
I can never forget the moments when I was in Nepal in 2009

In a romantic fantasy film, ‘Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind’ the hero visits a clinic to erase the memories of his girl friend when their relationship turns sour. However, he realizes that the time when they were together is worth remembering during the process of loss, and then he struggles to preserve at least some memory of her. Like this story, people have precious memories that they want to remember and cherish in their heart forever. If I can save only one among my memories, I will select experiences in Nepal. I can never forget the moments when I was in Nepal for a month. I volunteered for Korean Fair Trade of Coffee Organization and Nepal was the producer of the coffee beans. The Blue sky, the sight of green fields, and other great nature captivated me, but the most haunting thing of all was the people who I met in Nepal: Prsuram who presented me a pair of sneakers. Pravha and Rupal, Nepali girls who I interviewed. Youngmi Kim, a documentary maker who had stayed there for long time. These Precious people and memories are the wind beneath my wings to forget the hardships of everyday life. Whenever I have a hard time, I travel back to Nepal last year and remember the precious people.

Prsuram who was a member of the coffee farmers union gave me new sneakers to help to climb a steep slope. Even though the visit to Nepal was for business, I was excited at the thought of my first trip overseas. I crammed my suitcase with cute clothes, glittering accessories and high-heeled shoes. These were the seeds of trouble. My colleagues and I had to walk a lot along lanes full of twists and turns. I teetered after others in my high-heeled shoes. Leeches latched onto my feet and sucked my blood. I had trouble falling asleep in my hotel room because of the shame of my own stupidity. The next morning, I was moved to tears when I opened the door because there was a pair of sneakers, a cup of black tea, and a memo. 'Most coffee plantations are located on steep hills. You will need these shoes. Welcome to Nepal!' They were from Prsuram. The taste of black tea, the gray shoes, and the way I felt at that time are vivid in my memory. He reminded me of a valuable lesson that good relationships involve concern and sensitivity for each other. The shoes that he gave me are constant reminders of that lesson.

 

Nepali girl, Pravha and Rupal

I learned the value of the world, people around me and I have to appreciate them after I interviewed Pravha and Rupal who helped their parents on the farm. Their rough hands, sunburned faces, and deep wrinkles showed how difficult it was to work in the fields. However, they not only kept smiling throughout the interview, but also spoke English fluently. They said that they would like to contribute to their communities, especially in regard to a better trade environment. In order to do so, they learned English and developed knowledge and skills. Listening to their answers, I admired that they tried to make their dream into a concrete reality. Furthermore, I cast my mind back to the days that I had lived. I had been enjoying halcyon days while the Nepalese had not been; Nepal often had electrical power problems, schools were far their home, and they did not have mobile phones or computers. Although I had more favorable conditions than theirs, I grumbled about my life. I felt grateful again for my parents, and I reflected on why I appreciated all the things that I had only after I saw harsh conditions. It was the beginning for me to study English hard. Whenever I get lazy learning English, I visualize myself talking deeply with the girls someday. The invaluable experience with Pravha and Rupal has encouraged me to make a greater effort every moment.

It was a precious opportunity that I met Youngmi Kim, a documentary maker and worked with her. She motivated me to have specific, achievable goals. In order to popularize the concept of fair trade, she had stayed in Nepal for one and a half years. I assisted her while she covered coffee farmers’ lives. She wanted to tell why fair trade is essential through her movie; the farmers and she said in chorus that the true value of the trade for producers was not fund-raising, but help for self-sufficiency. I strongly believe that Mrs. Kim opened doors in my life as a new and exciting world. While I spent time with her, I realized how wonderful it was to tell human stories, to express people’s feelings in writing and movies. With less than 3 months left before my graduation, I aim to go to graduate school in Journalism and Mass Communication. I am eager to write stories and make films like she did.

They are special for me and I vividly remember the time with them. Prsuram taught me that only sincerity can attract other people. He gave me a golden memory through shoes. Pravha and Rupal let me discover even little things which I have missed in my life are grateful. Youngmi Kim inspired me in my choice of career. I am so happy that I have invaluable experience which is not enough to remember just by keeping a diary and taking pictures. People who made me mature still preserve in my memory. Like they did to me, I would like to use my life in whatever form to affect other people’s lives for the good.