For my country

It has been 30 years since I arrived in Canada,

in 1977. My life in Canada in that time has been a very satisfying and

happy one. I also feel deep gratitude and pride for my mother land,

South Korea. It was a miracle that I was able to immigrate to Canada.

In 1976, my third attempt to immigrate to Canada was denied. Out of

desperation I sent a letter to the Canadian embassy in Seoul.

I wrote that my mother in Canada lived in tears because of me.

I told them how despite my small size and lack of education and skills

that I worked hard all my life. Every Children’s Day, I planned a party for

the children, organized and performed memorial services for the lonely

souls in a public cemetery, and build a rest room in a senior’s house.

I wrote how my story was broadcast as a radio series in 36 episodes of

20 min each.

I also informed them that I had received an award for being an exemplary

citizen many times. Moreover, I promised that even after my immigration

to Canada,

I would continue to do my good deeds as a good citizen of Canada as

I did in Korea.

Within a week, the Canadian embassy sent a notification for an interview

and my immigration to Canada was finally passed. It is impossible for me to

describe the happiness I felt at that moment and in 1977 on January 14th,

I finally arrived in Toronto, Canada. At the time of immigration we could

not bring anything,

so we had to start from scratch. My wife had to work in a toy factory, do

manual labour and catch earthworms for money. Fortunately for me,

I was granted an opportunity to study English for 6 months.

After working as a dishwasher and cleaner at a hotel, I was able to open

my own shop in November 1978. I took care of my customers with kindness

and heart and the business grew.

Meanwhile I tried my best to keep my promise to be a good citizen as a new

Canadian.

I had a party for the children in our village, helped with fireworks for the

Victoria Day celebration,

delivered newspapers during the postal strike and volunteered for traffic

control during a traffic light break down. I volunteered to sell Korean candies,

help with cleaning and planting and caring for flowers whenever we had

Korean Canadian Association events. I also performed a Korean traditional

masque dance for seniors every year.

I am proud to say that I worked hard for others in this society and made their

lives a bit easier and more pleasant.

Recently I had to close my store after 28 years. I had to vacate the place even

though two years remained on our contract since the building would undergo

renovations. So now I am working at a Korean grocery store as a general

helper but I am still a director of the Korean Canadian Association. During my

18 years of tenure I witnessed the growth of the association and promoted

friendships between Koreans, as well as an expanding Korean community.

I am also the president of a seniors’ golf club, encouraging senior Koreans to

come together. In addition, I maintain my website and blog that has had over

100000 visitors. I appreciate how happy and fulfilling my life is every day.

Canada gave such a good opportunity for me to have all this happiness,

hope and joy.

I promise to myself, once again, that I will always work hard to be a

good Canadian citizen.

I believe that by being a good citizen of Canada,

I show respect for my native country and repay what I learned in Korea.