Chung-Ang University's volunteer group revitalizes Anseong's rural communities

Chung-Ang University students dedicated their time from August 3rd to 6th to the '2026 Nongshim Cheonsim University Student Volunteer Group' program, bringing new energy to rural villages in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. This initiative, supported by Nonghyup and managed by the Korea Association of University Social Service, goes beyond simple farm labor assistance.

The program's core objective is to foster regional revitalization by connecting university students with local resources and residents. Thirty Chung-Ang University students engaged in a wide array of activities tailored to the community's needs. These included developing local recipes using regional specialties like grapes, beans, and ginger; conducting electrical and fire safety inspections for elderly residents; providing digital literacy training; improving the village environment; assisting with farm work; and exploring local culture.

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Students came to help with farm work and clean up the village, making the atmosphere brighter. Most importantly, the students talked a lot with the elderly and took pictures, which made the residents happy. Although it was a short time, they seem to have left a lot of good energy in the village. I hope our village and Chung-Ang University can form a continuous relationship.

Students also focused on combating digital fraud and bridging the information gap by educating seniors on AI-based smishing scams and smart device usage. They created a more vibrant atmosphere through mural painting and provided practical help to farms facing labor shortages. Additionally, they captured the essence of village life by taking portraits of elderly residents and compiling a photo book, preserving cherished memories.

The program aimed to foster a deeper understanding of rural challenges and opportunities. Participants experienced firsthand the difficulties faced in agriculture and gained insights into the local community's potential. The initiative not only provided tangible assistance but also facilitated intergenerational communication and strengthened the bond between the university and the Anseong region, with hopes for continued collaboration.

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This 'Nongshim Cheonsim University Student Volunteer Group' is meaningful in that university students directly experienced the problems of rural areas and discussed solutions with residents. In particular, by conducting not only farm labor assistance but also local content development using regional specialties, living safety support, digital education, village environment improvement, and local attraction tours, the scope of volunteer work has been expanded to regional revitalization.