"Have you ever listened to a volunteer share their story?"

A small act of kindness that begins with the desire to help someone can transform the volunteer's own life and sometimes bring meaningful change to the people and communities around them. Through volunteering, people meet individuals from different walks of life, gain new experiences, and create stories of their own. These stories have the power to communicate the meaning and value of volunteering to others.

Across South Korea, special stages are being held where volunteers can share their experiences and have their voices heard.

First launched in 2016 as "Volunteer Ignite," this storytelling initiative provides a platform for volunteers to take the stage, share their personal experiences, and connect with audiences through their stories. Since 2023, the program has continued under the name "Sebasi V (Time to Change the World V)," in partnership with "Sebasi 15 (15 Minutes to Change the World)," one of South Korea's leading public speaking platforms.

At Sebasi V, any citizen who has engaged in volunteering in their everyday life can become the main character on stage by sharing their own story.

In short, TED-style talks lasting approximately five minutes, speakers share their personal journeys—from what first inspired them to volunteer and the people they encountered along the way to the growth and changes they experienced through their activities. Audiences do more than simply listen. They actively participate by expressing their appreciation and voting for the stories that resonate with them, becoming part of the experience.

What matters on this stage is not how extraordinary or large-scale a volunteer activity may be. Rather, the emphasis is on sharing how volunteering, often beginning with a simple act in everyday life, has brought change to individuals and those around them, as well as what volunteers have learned and discovered through their experiences.

To date, more than 700 volunteers have taken the stage to share their stories. From caring for neighbors and addressing local challenges to taking action for a healthier environment, their experiences are as diverse as the volunteers themselves. Yet they all convey a common message: even the smallest actions can create meaningful change.

The stories that begin on stage continue to inspire others long after the event has ended.

The Korea Volunteer Center and local volunteer centers support volunteers in reflecting on their experiences and expressing them through storytelling, while also recognizing the social value of their contributions. These stories are shared with a wider audience through various channels, including video productions and documentation in volunteer archives.

This is because one person's volunteering experience can inspire someone else to take on a new challenge, and a small act of service can encourage others to get involved.

When volunteers share their stories, they create connections and inspire empathy—and that empathy, in turn, leads to further action.

Through the experiences and voices of volunteers, Sebasi V stages across South Korea continue to highlight the value of volunteering and demonstrate that everyone has the potential to create meaningful change, wherever they are.

*Images provided by Ulsan Metropolitan City Volunteer Center and Chungcheongbuk-do Volunteer Center