Actress Jeon Mi-do Spreads Warmth to Kenyan Children Through KBS Documentary

As the year comes to a close, actress Jeon Mi-do, known for her impressive performances in musicals, plays, and dramas, has returned from Kenya, where she shared warmth and hope with children in need through the KBS 1TV global charity documentary 'Across the Sea, Love Season 3'.

Despite recent economic growth, Kenya still faces a poverty rate exceeding 30%, leaving many citizens in difficult circumstances. Jeon visited the Osiligie region, which means 'hope' in the Maasai language, but found many children living in despair. During her visit, she connected with the children, offering them messages of comfort.

The first child she met was Emmanuel, a 6-year-old boy living alone without guardians. His father passed away from illness years ago, and his mother disappeared after leaving home. Emmanuel had been living with his grandmother, but she has been missing since she was hospitalized three weeks ago. Alone and fearful, Emmanuel makes bricks to survive, shedding tears as he waits for his grandmother's return.

Despite his hardships, Emmanuel shows kindness by saving half of the cornmeal he earned to prepare porridge for his grandmother when she returns. Jeon was deeply moved by his spirit and comforted him, wiping away his tears.

Next, Jeon met Maria, a 12-year-old girl who cares for her malnourished younger sister Rebecca, 10, and their elderly grandmother. After losing both parents, Maria dropped out of school to support her family, but due to the isolated nature of their community, finding stable work is nearly impossible, leaving them to go hungry for half the week.

Rebecca's malnutrition has worsened to a life-threatening state, and their living conditions are dire, with a dark home infested with cockroaches. Despite these challenges, Maria's greatest wish is for Rebecca to regain her health. Jeon felt a deep sense of sorrow for Maria's family and offered heartfelt support.

Finally, Jeon met Moses, a 10-year-old boy living with his 7-year-old sister Naomi in a neighbor's storage shed. They lost their father in a car accident five years ago, and their mother left after remarrying. Moses works making and selling charcoal, but often they do not receive fair payment for their labor. Living in constant fear of being evicted, the siblings struggle to survive. Jeon assisted them in their work and provided encouragement, acting as a nurturing figure in their lives.

Reflecting on her experiences, Jeon expressed her heartbreak over the children who have to endure such harsh realities, stating, "It pains me to see children who consider hard work a necessity for survival. I was deeply touched by their ability to care for one another and hold onto their dreams despite poverty. Their lives need improvement, and they require our attention and support to foster hope for a better tomorrow."

The stories of the Kenyan children Jeon Mi-do met will be aired on KBS 1TV on December 29 at 2:10 PM.