Seoul, KOREA ¶ Feb 29, 2012 (Whowired) -- 'Comfort women' -- euphemistic term for wartime sex slaves during the Second World War -- fodder for the national debate, especially around this time of the year: March 1st marks Korean Indepence movement agaisnt Japanese colonial rule in the early 1900s. Yet, it has virtually failed to rally widespread popular support among Koreans, while the victims of such inhumane atrocities are getting too old to muster their courage to voice out and raise awareness on the shameful misdeeds made by Japanese soldiers in the past.

Now, Korean undergraduate students came up with their own answer to help out the old ladies who otherwise have become their own grandmothers in some way or another: "Awareness Wristbands" under the slogan of "Blooming Their Hopes with You."  The students are planning to donate around $1 from the sale of each bracelet -- 5,000 units in total -- to a civic group representing the Comfort Women in Korea.

As are the cases with many social causes, any campaign to raise awareness regarding a particular issue should be noble in it but, is likely to face financial problems in the processes of realizing their objectives. So, students at SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) in Korea University, devised this "Blooming Project" not only to stage much effective promotional campaign but to give refreshing financial support to the cash-strapped civic group. 

The word of "Blooming" was inspired by a poem titled "A Flower Yet to Be in Bloom" by the late Kim Soon-deok, who also was among the group of “Comfort Women” in Korea. With the campaign getting increasingly noticed by a growing number of citizens, the roles of SIFE are being in highlight as well. SIFE is an international non-profit organization that works with leaders in business and higher education to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders.

Sam Kim (press@whowired.com)