A Journey into Community Journalism: The On Village Nurturing School
As the warm spring air settles in at the end of March, I had the opportunity to visit a unique educational program at the Dangjin Rural Vitalization Support Center.
Today, I would like to share my experience from the '2026 Dangjin On Village Nurturing School - Basic Course for Community Activists'.
This post is written from the perspective of a participant in the course, reflecting on the training.
Citizens gathered to ponder what they could do for our village, embarking on a journey to become 'village journalists'.
The training took place in the lecture hall on the first floor of the Dangjin Rural Vitalization Support Center, located across from the Dangjin City Hall.
This center is a valuable space that continuously seeks various ways to revitalize Dangjin's rural areas and restore community.
Upon entering the classroom, I felt the vibrant atmosphere as aspiring activists shared their excitement about the day's training.
The core theme of the day's lesson was 'Becoming Village Journalists: Recording Our Community'.
Village journalists play an essential role, going beyond merely conveying information to documenting the history of the village and the lives of its residents.
The class began with a lecture from Lee Hye-jin, a citizen journalist from the Dangjin Newspaper, who generously shared the basics of article writing based on her vivid experiences in the field.
Listening to her real-life examples made the abstract concept of 'writing articles' feel much closer.
It was an enlightening experience to learn how ordinary neighbors can become the protagonists of news stories.
The lecture emphasized how even small news can become valuable history from the perspective of the recorder.
Particularly helpful were practical tips on selecting good village content.
As a participant, I took notes on the journalist's insights, pondering how to capture the stories of our village.
It was a delightful and fascinating time to hear firsthand accounts that I had not known before.
Following this, Park Tae-ho, the director of Sandul Cultural Workshop, led a session on video recording.
In an era where recording our villages through video is as important as writing, interest in video planning and shooting was high.
Park explained step-by-step how to capture the beautiful landscapes of the village and the vibrant voices of its residents.
It was important to learn not just the technical aspects of shooting great videos but also what values to convey through them.
Encouraged by the idea that one could create excellent village recordings with just a smartphone, participants showed increased confidence.
Each time Park explained the stages of video production, many participants prepared to practice using their smartphones, demonstrating their enthusiasm for the training.
Experiencing the aesthetics of village videos through the perspective of an active practitioner broadened my view.
The participants in this class ranged from young adults in their 30s to seniors in their 60s, showcasing a diverse age group.
The sight of different generations communicating based on the common ground of 'Dangjin' itself is forming a healthy community.
Seniors shared old village stories while the younger generation proposed new ways of communication, exchanging thoughts.
The fusion of the youthful perspectives of young people and the deep experiences of seniors will surely lead to richer village records.
Throughout the classroom, the sound of participants diligently taking notes to capture every detail of the instructor's explanation was constant.
Some participants showed deep interest by asking specific questions about recording events or figures in their own villages.
Each of these small interests contributes to the valuable recording assets of Dangjin.
During the intensive theoretical lectures in the morning, practical exercises were interspersed.
The first practical topic was 'Connecting Me and Us', where we created our own village stories.
As a participant, I wrote about the hidden gems in our village that are perfect for a stroll.
Reflecting on a path I usually pass by without much thought, I noticed even the small wildflowers blooming along the way with the heart of a recorder.
Other participants actively shared their precious places and memories with neighbors, and one aspiring activist shared warm, small stories from the village.
Through these conversations, I encountered the true face of our Dangjin village that cannot be learned from books.
The instructor's remark, 'Someone must record for it to remain,' was the most critical message resonating throughout the class.
We can now protect the small histories of our village that would disappear tomorrow if not recorded today, directly through the hands of the residents.
The Dangjin Rural Vitalization Support Center meticulously prepared everything from teaching materials to snacks for this training.
It was impressive to see the staff checking on participants' comfort during the training and providing immediate assistance.
A center representative stated, 'Our goal is to create a foundation where residents can become the owners of their village and actively participate.'
With such strong supporters, I felt that the community activist training program in Dangjin is being systematically operated.
As the class concluded, we watched a video about the role of the Rural Vitalization Support Center, realizing how much effort goes into revitalizing our village behind the scenes.
While the terms community activist and village journalist may seem unfamiliar or daunting at first, attending the class made me realize that community activities are not grand or distant stories.
Asking neighbors how they are doing and documenting the small changes in the village through photos and writing are the humble beginnings of our activities.
This journey from the first to the eighth session of the basic course will be a precious process for establishing strong roots in our village.
As the participants left the class, their faces were filled with new affection and passion for the village.
As a social media supporter for Dangjin and a participant, I eagerly anticipate the records we will create together in the future.
The community activists we are training will not only document but also protect the village in various areas such as interpretation and care.
They will understand the village through recording, inform others through interpretation, and warm the village through care.
I firmly believe that the rural areas of Dangjin they will help create will become vibrant and warm spaces.
By the end of the basic course, we will all grow into dedicated activists who genuinely cherish our villages.
Like the name 'Dangjin On Village Nurturing School', I hope all villages in Dangjin bloom warmly through the efforts of the residents.
It was a truly enjoyable experience to walk alongside all my fellow participants in this class.
As we move into advanced stages and practical activities, I hope the fervor of this learning continues, and I give my heartfelt applause to all aspiring village journalists in Dangjin who will record yesterday and today while planning for tomorrow.
I also ask the citizens of Dangjin to extend warm encouragement and interest to the activists working for our village.
As spring approaches, with various events being prepared, I encourage the citizens of Dangjin to visit when the opportunity arises.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/dangjin2030/224243832408
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