HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Greetings!

Winter is suddenly upon us. Open Arms had a busy fall with classes buzzing with energy and love, volunteer training (with a special speaker - an aged out young person from Cheongwoon) to help give us perspective and guidance, the OA Christmas party, Alumni preparing videos for the children to show them a different part of the world and to remind them that they aren’t forgotten, International School markets, preparation for an amazing Bike Everesting Fundraiser and Strategic Planning for 2026 and beyond to ensure a bright future for Open Arms and the children. 

Open Arms is as magical as the holidays. It was once just a dream but members, just like you, believed in it and made it come true. In March 2017, our three founding members - Barbara, Dee Dee and Ashley - began teaching English to 10 toddlers at Cheongwoon. Our audacious dream of continuing the program until they aged out was born. At the end of a class at Cheongwoon a few weeks ago, one of the Early Year’s children asked, ‘How many more nights until I see you again?’ Now we can safely say, we will be there next class…and until you age out, supporting you to become the best version of yourself and ready to live a happy and independent life. Next year in 2026 we will celebrate our 9th year, and our ‘original’ toddlers will be 12 years old and many are still in our programs! We have also expanded to four welfare homes, run six programs (including two at Seoul Foreign School and Dulwich College Seoul) and have almost 100 members!

Christmas is a time for giving. This core spirit of generosity is what fuels Open Arms. We remain truly grateful to all our community members who so generously volunteer their time, to our committed partners (AWC, Dulwich, SFS, Fur All Dogs & SIWA) and sponsors. They all bring warmth and love to the children in our programs throughout the year. Our mission, vision and values remain steadfast and reflect our community’s spirit of generosity, so I encourage all of you to take a look at them again here

Thank you Yolekha, for guiding the sleigh, and for all the hardworking reindeer who pull us, day in and day out to bring joy to the children. 

Wishing you well a deserved rest and a blessed holiday with your friends and family. See you in April,

barbara

Founder/Newletter Editor

Volunteer since 2017- present

upcoming events 2026

As the year winds down, I wanted to share some key dates for the first half of 2026. Notably for your calendars, is our next volunteer workshop on March 8, the kickoff to our biking fundraiser on April 4, and the AGM on April 25th. As ever, thank you for making this another meaningful and purpose-driven year for Open Arms and our kids. I am so grateful for your time and committment, and consider myself very lucky to be part of this incredible community. - YOLEKHA

community

OA Dulwich Christmas Present Drive

OA and Dulwich Christmas elves were busy with the 8th annual Christmas Present Drive with preparations starting in October. Each of the 158 presents were personally selected by each child in the 4 welfare homes we partner with. The presents were as varied as the children - toys, clothes, cosmetics, phone chargers, pyjamas, shoes, books, art supplies, sports equipment, watches, earbuds, umbrella, snacks and fabric softener! Thank you to the generosity of the Dulwich Charity Club (and in particular, Maryann Campos who has led the Christmas Drive for 8 years) and the Dulwich families for making the children’s wishes come true! Thank you also to all the OA members (Inger, Yolekha, Milee, Mei, Barbara, Hye and those who came out to write personalized Christmas cards to the children.

Dwight Snack Box Donation Drive

The Red Cross Youth club at Dwight held their third snack box donation drive in December. They baked homemade cookies to the delight of 50 children in our programs at Cheongwoon. Thank you for your hard work and continued support.

OA Christmas Social

December 5, 2025

Open Arms volunteers, gathered together to relax, chat and celebrate a wonderful year of good cheer. Thank you to everyone who came out and for those who couldn't make it. We missed you but we cheered us all , near and far, for the amazing, generous community we are.

volunteer with us

Open Arms provides play and activity-based English education for children living at welfare homes.

We meet the children as young as possible because we know early childhood education gives children the best start in life. Then we grow with the children following their life journey learning English. The ambition is to follow the kids even as they move away from the welfare homes and into young adulthood.

Open Arms is a Volunteer-Driven Organisation

Thank you to our passionate and dedicated leaders who work behind the scenes to build our small but beautiful organisation.

Cheongwoon Toddlers Our toddlers have graduated and moved on to the Early Years Program! No new Toddler Program for the time being.

Cheongwoon Early Years Tuesdays/weekly 5:15-6:15 pm

Cheongwon Primary Tuesdays/weekly 5:15-7:00pm

Dream Tree Village Primary

Thursday/weekly 5:15-7:00pm

We are currently looking for more volunteers to ensure individual attention for each child. New volunteers please fill out Volunteer Form or ROTA for registered volunteers.

Myeongjin Primary Early Teens Sat/monthly 10:00-12:00pm

Dulwich Early Teens Saturday/monthly 10:00-12:00pm

Shinmangwon Primary Early Teens Saturday/monthly 10:00-12:00pm

SFS/OA English Club Friday/weekly 4:30-6:00 pm

CONTACT US

#2173, 20th Fl, 149, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03186 South Korea

info@theopenarms.org