Red Cross Youth (RCY) and Amnesty International, two humanitarian clubs at SIS, hosted a presentation by Doris Wong, who is currently working at a humanitarian organization for disaster risk reduction in Korea, to share her experience and knowledge about humanitarian work with the club members and interested SIS students.

On Nov. 25, during lunch and activity period, SIS students gathered in the atrium to listen to Ms. Wong’s presentation and discuss with her. She explained the realities of being a humanitarian worker and the prevention efforts made in regions across the globe, while also sharing her firsthand experience working with two major humanitarian organizations. In between her explanations, she illustrated scenarios of disaster prevention, and students were given opportunities to brainstorm ideas and develop possible solutions.

“I participated in this presentation through RCY,” Hannah Kim (11), RCY member, said. “At first I did not have enough knowledge about humanitarian organizations. Her presentation helped me understand the works done by those organizations and their true objectives and mission they work to achieve.” 

As a recent graduate in the early stages of her career, Ms. Wong discussed her academic journey and the choices she has made to explore various professional careers in her life. Although this was not her original plan after graduation, she ended up connecting with these organizations and working to reduce damage and comfort those facing social challenges.

“I attended her presentation because it directly correlated with the major I am interested in, which is environmental engineering,” Julie Lee (11), presentation attendee, said. “Even though the presentation turned out to be different from my major of interest, since her field of study was related to the aftermath of destruction and how to reduce damage, whereas I was looking forward to information about working in labs and creating technology devices or system for sustainability, it provided a variety of possible fields of study related to the environmental and opened up new paths for me to explore.”

By the end of the presentation, students could ask more questions, engage in discussion with Ms.Wong directly, and receive tips and advice. These were valuable insights for SIS students in humanitarian-related clubs and those interested in environmental science and the humanities.