Joseph Kim, the Regional Operations Director of Good Neighbors USA (left); Sandy Byon, the Head Director of God's Image (center); and John Byon, the President of God's Image (right) explain how this partnership between the two ministries came about.
Korean American youths from southern California donated $7,000 on Thursday to offer clean water to children in Chad, a country located in Africa.
God's Image, a praise and worship team consisting of kindergarten to college-aged Korean Americans, participated in performances on August 16th at Oriental Mission Church (OMC) in Los Angeles, and on the 23rd at the La Mirada Performing Arts Center. Through these two performances, they were able to raise $7,000, and donated the full amount to Good Neighbors USA, a non-profit organization that, among many projects the organization participates in, builds clean water wells in various countries. The donation will go directly to building two new water wells in Chad.
God's Image contributed $7,000 to build two new clean water wells in Chad through Good Neighbors USA.
The partnership between God's Image and Good Neighbors has a deeper history than a one-time donation, however. In 2011 and 2012, God's Image participated in their regularly scheduled performances for the purpose of contributing to Good Neighbor's overseas relief work, and in December of 2013, God's Image was officially appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for Good Neighbors. Through this partnership, God's Image has been actively performing and giving for the purpose of offering clean water, education, and other physical needs to children in impoverished nations.
John Byon, the President of God's Image, said that he felt a partnership with Good Neighbors USA in particular is special because "Good Neighbors is very clear and transparent as an organization." He was confident that all of their donations will indeed go to building clean water wells, and he said, "Good Neighbors USA is an organization that uses most of the contributions it receives to providing relief aid to the nations they serve in."
"It especially touches our students and our ministry because this organization directly helps children in impoverished nations and allows them to be educated and have access to clean water," Kim added. "Our kids at God's Image are very happy and proud that they can be used by God in this way, and excited to be able to offer help to these children overseas."
"Knowing and being a part of a ministry that supports Good Neighbors, who builds many wells for those who do not have clean water, is such a blessing," said Ashley Yoo, a 16-year-old who is a part of the God's Image team. "To be able to show love and support to those who do not have much, and knowing that we are able to spread awareness of the people in the world who are in need, is a wonderful and thoughtful project to be a part of."
Johnny Yi, 17, said, "I experience joy and excitement in knowing that my small contribution is changing the world for those who are yearning for a different life."
Good Neighbors USA is an international, non-profit humanitarian organization that offers relief aid to 30 different countries through various projects, including child education, community development, and emergency relief projects. Water for Life, the project through which Good Neighbors builds clean water wells, is of particular importance because of the fact that many in impoverished nations are at risk of waterborne diseases due to lack of access to clean water. It allows children who once had to spend the majority of their time to drawing water from wells to focus more time on learning and studying.
The ministry of God's Image was started in December of 1990, and has grown to 600 young people who participate in the ministry with seven different branches in locations including Los Angeles, San Fransisco, Arizona, Texas, Virginia, Brazil, and Vancouver. Those who are interested in being a part of the ministry must go through an audition and interview process, and God's Image will be holding the auditions for the Los Angeles region for this upcoming school year this Saturday at Oriental Mission Church.
