SK University Volunteer Group ‘SK Sunny’ recently participated in the ‘Vietnamese Face Deformity Children’s Free Surgery’ event, where they carried out volunteer activities to comfort children and their families who underwent surgery.
The event, held in Quang Ngai, Vietnam from the 18th to the 23rd, was organized by SK Group in collaboration with Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and the Semin Facial Deformity Help Association (Seminhoe). This annual event, known as ‘Smile for Children’, has been taking place in Vietnam since 1996. Since 2017, it has been supervised and operated by SK Eco Plant, becoming SK’s representative global social contribution activity.
Over the past 27 years, SK has provided free surgeries to 4,273 children with facial deformities, covering all surgical expenses amounting to 4 billion won. Most of these children suffer from cleft lip and palate, which not only affects their physical development but also hinders their social growth and self-confidence.
The ‘Vietnamese Face Deformity Children’s Free Surgery’ project aims to reach more children in need of medical assistance. It has visited a total of 17 regions in Vietnam and is recognized as an exemplary case of overseas social contribution activities due to its sincerity and continuity.
This project goes beyond providing surgeries to children and their families. It also involves the transfer of medical skills from Korean medical staff to local medical staff in Vietnam. Additionally, medical devices such as used surgical instruments and equipment are donated to facilitate medical care between the two countries, promoting cooperation.
Korean medical staff, through their annual participation, are helping local hospitals in Vietnam enhance their capabilities in facial deformity surgery, as well as secondary and tertiary treatments. This ongoing support ensures that the impact of the project extends beyond a one-time event.
SK’s efforts in Vietnam have been recognized and appreciated. In 2009, SK received the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Order of Friendship, and in 2016, Baek Rong-min, chairman of the Civic Association, received the highest decoration awarded to foreigners by the Vietnamese government.
This year’s event saw the participation of 26 individuals, including Baek Long-min, professor of plastic surgery at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, medical staff from Korea and Vietnam, employees of SK Eco Plant, and SK Sunny, a university student volunteer group. Together, they successfully completed surgeries on 116 Vietnamese children with facial deformities.
Tran Anh Kiet, an 8-year-old who underwent cleft lip and palate surgery, expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am glad that I am no longer scared and in pain. Thank you so much to the medical staff and SK.”
Chairman Rong-Min Baek expressed his pride and satisfaction in seeing children who have undergone surgery grow into adults and express their gratitude. He extended his sincere thanks to the medical staff of the Central Military Hospital and SK.
An SK official highlighted the initial lack of business relationship between SK and Vietnam in 1996. However, SK decided to sponsor the event, empathizing with the purpose of medical staff in both countries. The official expressed hope that the valuable experience gained from this project, which brings happiness and healthy lives to people, will serve as a source of strength for cooperation in various fields between the two countries in the future.
How does SK Group demonstrate its commitment to long-term sustainable development through its corporate social responsibility activities?
Cooperation and long-term sustainable development.
During the event, SK Sunny volunteers visited Quang Ngai General Hospital and provided emotional support to children and their families. They organized activities such as art therapy, games, and cultural exchanges to create a comforting and enjoyable environment for the children. The volunteers also engaged in fundraising activities to support the surgery expenses for the children.
In addition to the volunteer activities, the event also included surgical procedures conducted by a specialized medical team from Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. The team performed surgeries on children with facial deformities, ensuring that they receive the necessary medical treatment to improve their quality of life. The surgeries were successful, and the children and their families expressed their gratitude for the support they received.
SK Group has been actively engaged in corporate social responsibility activities, focusing on education, environment, and public welfare. Through initiatives such as the ‘Vietnamese Face Deformity Children’s Free Surgery’ project, SK Group continues to demonstrate its commitment to making a positive impact on society.
The ‘Smile for Children’ event not only brings smiles to the faces of children who have undergone surgery but also spreads hope and compassion in the community. As SK Group continues to carry out its global social contribution activities, it aims to create a better future for children in need around the world.
This is truly inspiring. Kudos to the volunteer group ‘SK Sunny’ for their selfless efforts in providing free surgery to Vietnamese children with face deformities. Their dedication and kindness are changing lives and giving hope to those in need.