"Helping Individuals Is Helping Society"

In the impoverished district of Carabayllo, north of Peru's capital, Lima, lies the 'Gaburaki Rayko Knitting Workshop.' Here, alpaca wool scarves, gloves, hats, and shawls are crafted and sold worldwide. For over two decades, Gaburaki Rayko has been teaching knitting to local women, aiding their journey toward self-reliance.

Rayko, widely known as the wife of the late Dr. Lee Jong-wook, former Director-General of the World Health Organization, has a history of dedicated service. Born in Japan shortly after World War II, she moved to Korea in 1972 to assist Hansen's disease patients at the St. Lazarus Village, defying her father's pleas to stay. It was in Korea, while serving those in need, that she met her future husband, a medical student passionate about saving the world through medicine.

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Helping individuals is helping society.

Together, they embarked on a life of international health service, working in various locations including Hawaii, American Samoa, Fiji, Manila, and Geneva. Following Dr. Lee's election as the first Korean to head a UN agency in 2003, he led global disease control efforts and was hailed as the "Asian Schweitzer" for his humanitarian work. After his passing in 2006, Rayko chose to remain in Carabayllo, continuing her work with the knitting and sewing workshop for impoverished women.

These women have used the skills gained to earn their own money, fund their children's education, and rebuild their lives. Rayko firmly believes, "Helping individuals is helping society." She emphasizes that "as individuals develop, so does society." Her commitment demonstrates a profound understanding that empowering individuals is the most effective way to foster societal progress.

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as individuals develop, so does society.