In this blog post, I’ll explore the process by which dreams go beyond individual aspirations to become a reality through the collective hopes and efforts of a community, drawing on my experience with the solar power volunteer project in Nepal.
During the 2002 World Cup, South Korea experienced firsthand that “dreams do come true.” As the hope of reaching the semifinals—which had been considered impossible—became a reality, the entire nation shared in that moment when a dream turned into reality. The South Korean national soccer team, which was widely regarded as at a disadvantage in terms of technical skill and physical stature compared to European players, faced bleak prospects at the time due to its poor recent performance; many predicted that even advancing to the Round of 16 would be a challenge. However, the South Korean national soccer team achieved its dream of reaching the world’s top four. In this way, “a dream coming true” refers to the moment when something considered impossible in reality actually happens.
Last summer, I heard the same words from a Tibetan tribal chief in Nepal. At the moment the first light bulb was turned on in the mountain village of Lama Hotel, the chief said, “A long time ago, I had a dream that lights would shine here. But now that dream has become a reality,” he said, his eyes welling up with tears. At that moment, I was deeply moved. The “dream” referred to here is not a personal one. It certainly does not mean wanting to become rich or achieve social status. It refers to the dream that comes true when something a small community—or, on a larger scale, an entire nation—has long yearned for is finally realized.
The fact that the light bulb—the dream of the Lama Hotel—could finally be lit was thanks to the efforts of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department’s volunteer team last summer. Installing solar power equipment in Nepal might seem, at first glance, as easy as assembling a toy by following an instruction manual. However, in reality, it was an endeavor woven together like a tight interlacing of warp and weft, made possible by careful decisions taken while overcoming countless obstacles and challenges.
This project began quite by chance. The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering holds weekly Christian fellowship meetings, and this project originated from one of those gatherings. Students took turns sharing stories they wanted to tell or engaging in group discussions. That day, it was my turn to speak. I proposed the topic, “What kinds of volunteer activities can students in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering do?” and more students than expected began sharing ideas they had been pondering. Some suggested going to rural areas for volunteer work, while others proposed planning volunteer activities for local residents. However, since it was difficult to view such activities as volunteer work unique to students in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, we couldn’t easily reach a conclusion.
About a week after we’d had that discussion, our professor called.
“Seon-kyung, would you like to go to Nepal to install solar panels?”
The professor told us about a conversation he’d had two years earlier with Binyak Bandhali, a Nepali exchange student. He explained that shortly after arriving in Korea, Bandhali had approached the professor to describe Nepal’s difficult economic situation and ask for help. The professor said he’d only replied at the time that he’d think about it, but Bandhali had suddenly come to mind, prompting him to make this proposal. Binyak Bandhali’s wish, which had seemed far-fetched at the time, finally came to fruition two years later.
The more we learned about Nepal, the more our hearts ached. At the time, Nepal was one of the world’s poorest countries, and even a short distance outside the capital, it was common to find areas without electricity. Not only were economic conditions difficult, but the rugged terrain created by the Himalayas also hindered the smooth distribution of electricity.
These geographical characteristics posed a major challenge for us as well. Since electricity had already been supplied to areas that were easily accessible to anyone, we had to endure even greater hardships to truly make a difference. After searching for a village that was large enough for us to carry out construction work but where the likelihood of electricity being supplied in the near future was low, we ultimately decided on Rama Hotel as our final destination. We considered several other villages as well, but unfortunately, most were cut off by landslides, and Rama Hotel was the only place we could reach.
There were also many twists and turns in the process of deciding on costs, schedules, and team composition. We had far less time than we had anticipated, and we had absolutely nothing to start with. We faced significant expenses, yet we didn’t have a single penny in our budget. We began by opening a bank account under the name “Nepal Solar Volunteer Corps” and started raising funds. We submitted reports to various sponsoring organizations, held presentations, and continued our outreach via email and phone calls; as a result, sponsors began to come forward one by one to support our volunteer team. Once we had raised a certain amount of funds, everyone involved in the preparations began to feel encouraged, and we were able to proceed with the detailed preparations step by step.
After coordinating schedules—taking into account the students’ summer session, the professor’s business trip, and the Chuseok holiday—we realized we could not stay in Nepal for more than eight days. It took one day to fly from South Korea to Kathmandu, Nepal; one day to travel by bus from Kathmandu to Seproben; and another day to walk 12 hours from Seproben to the Rama Hotel. Since most of the schedule was consumed by round-trip travel, we had only two days available for actual work. Since we had to install a solar power system in one village within those two days, we practiced the installation process several times in advance back in South Korea.
The biggest challenge during our preparations was figuring out how to transport the materials. Transporting the batteries, light bulbs, wires, frames, and other components needed for the solar power system from South Korea to the Rama Hotel was by no means an easy task. Fortunately, as we partnered with Kathmandu University to carry out the project, we decided to purchase the necessary materials locally, which also allowed us to significantly reduce costs.
After completing the preparation period while worrying, “Will we really be able to set off like this?”, we finally went through departure procedures. When we arrived by plane in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, the sky was cloudy, but it seemed as if the city were welcoming us. After the welcome ceremony and dinner hosted by Kathmandu University, we all returned to our accommodations to rest. This was because we all knew that the journey ahead, starting the next day, would be anything but easy.
We traveled to Seprovensi by bus. Although the bus seats were cramped and uncomfortable, we began our journey with a mix of excitement and fear. The road was so winding that it was hard to compare it to South Korea’s Daegwallyeong Pass, and with almost no safety measures in place, it was extremely dangerous. Every time we saw vehicles that had plunged off the cliffs and overturned, our hearts skipped a beat. After arriving at our destination and spending the night there, we hurriedly finished getting ready to depart early the next morning. Since we had to climb a rugged mountain trail unlike anything we’d ever experienced, we all set out with a sense of tension. The Nepalese guides leading us were worried that if our hike took too long and we didn’t reach the Lama Hotel before sunset, we might have to spend the night in the mountains. That day’s hike was truly long and arduous. When we finally arrived at the Lama Hotel just as the sun was setting, the locals welcomed us warmly, and thanks to the food and lodging they provided, we were able to rest our weary bodies.
The goal of this volunteer project was to install a solar power system to supply electricity to each household. The work was divided into three main parts. First, we built the frames for the solar panels; next, we connected the main power lines to each home; and finally, we installed the wiring in each house. All of this work was accomplished through the combined efforts of the South Korean volunteer team, students from the University of Kathmandu, and the villagers.
Rama Hotel is a village that operates lodging for travelers coming to trek in the Himalayas. The residents make their living by farming during the rest of the year, and in winter, they rent out their homes as lodging to earn income from accommodation fees. The light we will bring to this place will benefit not only the residents but also the countless travelers who visit here, and it will serve as a foundation for improving the residents’ economic circumstances, even if only slightly.
When we first arrived at Lama Hotel, the sun had already set, and the village was shrouded in pitch-black darkness. Candlelight was our only source of light, whether we were eating or washing up. Here, nothing could be done after sunset, so the day felt incredibly short. Even as we worked tirelessly, our sole desire was to get the lights up as soon as possible. From sunrise to sunset, we focused solely on our work, except during meal times. Perhaps because we worked so hard, the meals tasted absolutely delicious. No one tried to take it easy; as we helped and supported one another, the construction project gradually moved toward completion.
Looking back, it all felt like a dream. I was actually in the Himalayas—a place I’d only ever seen in textbooks or heard about through news of someone reaching the summit—and the image of the Tibetan tribal chief saying, “Dreams do come true,” overlapped with the thrill I felt in elementary school when I watched the South Korean national soccer team reach the World Cup semifinals. I could feel that same excitement coursing through my entire body once again. Moreover, this journey—which was by no means easy—was fraught with countless variables. Obstacles that stood in our way—such as landslides, bus strikes, and financial difficulties—came one after another without cease. Yet, wasn’t it precisely the earnest aspirations that the Tibetan people had long cherished that allowed us to push through to the very end?
Yes, dreams really do come true. But dreams don’t come true on their own. They only become reality when someone’s blood and sweat combine with the earnest aspirations of an entire community united as one. If the help and kindness of others are added to this, that dream can blossom even more beautifully. I want to carry forward the emotion we shared last summer and let it continue to shape my life.
