It takes a village: What a remote Korean island taught me about community

There is a striking contrast between Korea's rapid national development and the quiet perseverance of a remote village. During the harvest festival Chuseok, I had the chance to visit Gwansa Island, a tiny island off the southwestern coast of Korea. With a population of around 30 inhabitants, the island is worlds apart from the bustling pace that often characterizes contemporary Korea.

There are no supermarkets or convenience stores on the island. Instead, there are only the vast expanse of the sea, the rugged mountains, a small cluster of homes, and a community with a lineage that spans generations.

What impressed me most was not the scarcity of resources but the remarkable achievements of the island's residents. As someone from Quebec, Canada, I have long been captivated by Korea's remarkable development - the so-called Miracle on the Han River. The nation's technological advancements and economic metamorphosis have transformed Korea into a global powerhouse. However, a visit to Gwansa Island revealed another facet of the Korean miracle that is less conspicuous but equally impressive.

The age-old adage "It takes a village to raise a child" holds true even in the most remote corners of the world. But what happens when the village itself faces challenges? This was the intriguing reality I encountered on Gwansa Island. Despite its apparent simplicity, the community had built a life rich in history and resilience, demonstrating that true strength often lies in the collective effort of its people.