Hoshi's 100 million won gift becomes five classrooms in Zambia

SEVENTEEN's Hoshi (Kwon Soon-young)'s donation has led to actual classrooms for children in Zambia. The 100 million won delivered last year through the Community Chest of Korea (Gyeonggi Northern branch) was used for an educational environment improvement project at a public school in Zambia, Africa. Recently, the project was completed, including the construction of 5 classrooms across 2 buildings, new toilets, and repairs to existing facilities.

Hoshi is currently serving as an active-duty member of the Army. Even during this time when his activities are temporarily paused, his name remains in the space where children enter every day to receive lessons.

5 New Classrooms Completed for a School with 2 Existing Classrooms

The local public school in Zambia that received the support had approximately 250 students attending from kindergarten to 7th grade. Since there were only 2 existing classrooms, students from various grades had to share the same space, making it difficult to maintain a sufficient learning environment.

With this project, 5 new classrooms and toilets were built, allowing students to study in spaces suited to their grade levels and classes. The old existing facilities were also renovated.

In a child protection facility in the northern Zambian city of Kitwe, support was also provided for renovating dilapidated buildings and electrical work. This involved not only new buildings but also improving the living spaces where the children stay.

“I hope they learn and grow in a better environment”

Regarding this support, Hoshi said, “I joined this effort with the hope that children can learn and grow in a better environment. I am very happy to think of the children who will nurture their dreams in these new classrooms, and I want to continue showing interest in places that need help in the future.”

Hoshi, who has been loved as a performer on stage, redirected the attention gathered toward him into educational support, and the results were confirmed through essential daily infrastructure such as classrooms, toilets, and electrical facilities.

Donations Continuing from Honor Society

Hoshi was named a member of the Honor Society, a group of high-value individual donors for the Community Chest of Korea, in 2021. Since then, he has steadily provided help to various places both domestically and internationally, and in 2024, he also donated 100 million won for the construction of a national orphanage school in Laos.

In May of this year, he also contributed funds to the Army's Dedication to the Country and Love for Comrades Fund. The news of the completion of these Zambian classrooms, delivered during his military service, remains a scene in the ongoing history of Hoshi's donations.