Our vision is a community where children are accepted, valued and unconditionally loved so they can grow into adults who will contribute positively to our society | | |
Dear OpenArms,
April is always an important month for Open Arms. It is the month of our Annual General Meeting (AGM). It is a milestone every year for our growing community and organization. Members joined to look back at the year that passed and to discuss the future of the organization. And what a year!
Throughout the year our volunteers and wonderful partners have created so many fun and beautiful learning experiences for the kids. From the classroom they have travelled the world, been creative and sporty, given back to community, laughed and so much more. We have opened a new program, and more kids have joined the existing ones. It is amazing to follow the kids as they grow of age and confidence.
It was also this April our new mascot HaNeul met the world for the first time. Creating our taekwondo kicking, noodle eating little blue whale together with the kids and Disney creator Jin Kim has been magical. Thanks to the Seodaemun Museum of Natural History we were able to create a very special event to reveal their new mascot to the kids with everything that entails. It was a special morning that I will always remember. Now we cannot wait for HaNeul to continue the journey of learning with us.
The AGM also marked my last day as Executive Director of Open Arms. I always knew it would only be a transitional role, and I proudly hand over to Yolekha Mallier who will guide the organization forward with a clever head and a big smile. It has been a privilege to be part of Open Arms. Throughout I am continuously amazed by the impact a 100% volunteer run organization can have and the dedication of our volunteers and community. The potential of Open Arms is great, and I cannot wait to see where it takes you!
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inger
Executive Director 2024-2025
Nationality: Danish
Volunteer since 2023- present
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8th Annual General Meeting
April 18, 2025
We are truly grateful for the incredible turnout at our recent celebration, where so many of you gathered to reflect on the past year and share in the joy of our collective achievements. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who participated, including those who sent proxies, as your involvement has led to exceptional membership representation—an essential component in our decision-making process. All proposed decisions were passed, positioning Open Arms for a vibrant and impactful new year ahead! As we embrace this transition, we are excited to announce that Yolekha has been voted in as our new Executive Director. She is not only prepared but eager to lead us into this promising future and rest assured, we are in capable and visionary hands. Let us all embrace the upcoming opportunities with enthusiasm as we continue to nurture the potential of every child within our community. I invite you to remain engaged and supportive as we embark on this shared journey, filled with hope and responsibility for the future of Open Arms. - INGER
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible Administration Team—Marta, Irene, and Erica—whose dedication and hard work in organizing the AGM and meticulously preparing all the presentation slides have made a profound difference for Open Arms. Their commitment and exceptional organizational skills have not only transformed Open Arms' effectiveness but have also significantly enhanced the experience for the children we serve. Their efforts have engaged the community in meaningful ways. We would also like to thank Vineworks for setting the perfect scene for the social part of the event. We also want to thank our partners and supporters for their donations, help, advice and engagement in the past year. It takes a village!
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Thank you Inger
Executive Director
2023 - 2025
As Open Arms’ third Executive Director, Inger has been a guiding light for our organization and, most importantly, for the children we serve. During her year at the helm, she brought her wealth of experience to every aspect of our work, helping to formalize programs and ensure they truly meet the needs of the kids. Her leadership wasn’t just about structure and strategy—it was infused with kindness, creativity, and a deep understanding of what makes children thrive.
Inger quickly became a beloved figure in the Open Arms family, not only for her pragmatic approach but for her warmth and ability to connect with everyone she worked with. Whether through her gentle guidance or the way she always managed to inspire smiles, she left an impact that will be felt for years to come.
Though her time as Executive Director has come to an end, we are excited to continue our connection with her through the Open Arms alumni community. Wherever Inger goes, she will undoubtedly remain a force for good. Thank you, Inger, for the laughter, wisdom, and care you shared so generously! Open Arms wishes you and your family the best in your next chapter. - JUSTIN
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Welcome Haneul
April 4, 2025
Seodaemun Museum of Natural History
For the past year, the kids in our programs have been working together with famous Disney creator Jin Kim and Barbara’s husband Wain, to create our own mascot with a cute story representing all of us. For the first time, 50 of our children from all our 6 programs gathered together, to meet their very own mascot, Haneul, a whale that swims the seas of knowledge spreading love and English letters to the children while inviting them to explore the world together. The children’s voices were heard and one child said, ‘The whale swims the oceans of the world with letters in its belly. These letters spray onto kids for learning like Open Arms teaching us.’
We would like to thank all the people who worked so hard to made today possible. It took a village: Jin Kim (Disney animator who created our final art piece), Wain (led the mascot project), Inger, Katy (managed the project and made sure the children’s voices were heard), Hye (brought our mascot to life with all the merchandise), Irene (wrote the beautiful story & helped coordinate the event), Yolekha (who flew from Jeju to make the event), Jessi (baked homemade whale cookies for all the children!), Dahyung (took pictures so we never forget), Natalia & Museum of Natural History (providing us with a beautiful space & giving each child a momento. Their lifesize whale feels like it was made just for us. It’s a match made in Heaven) and most of all the CHILDREN who were the true STARS (who created so many beautiful drawings and chose our final mascot)
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Open Arms Alumni Association
Alumni members from around the globe are coming together to create a heartwarming connection with the children at Open Arms. Our inaugural project invites them to participate in sending postcards adorned with Hanuel stickers, symbolizing the journey he has taken to visit our dedicated OA members worldwide. This initiative not only highlights the global network of support but also emphasizes the sense of community and belonging that has no borders. The postcards will remind them that they are cherished and connected to a larger family that truly cares.
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SIWA/OA Coming Together
May 4, 2025
SFBS
The SIWA/OA Coming Together event was the third event of a beautiful collaboration between SIWA, Open Arms, Crossfit Kilogram Tribe and Seoul Foreign British School. The children had the opportunity to choose from a variety of activities - rock climbing, baking or CrossFit - based on their individual interests. More than just a fun afternoon, it was a chance to build confidence, connection and a sense of belonging. One especially heartwarming moment was seeing how many of the children recognized and greeted returning SIWA, CrossFit and aged out youth volunteers. - ERICA
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Vineworks
AGM April 18, 2025
A huge shoutout to Vineworks for creating such a delightful atmosphere for the social segment of our AGM! We are so grateful for your partnership, as it exemplifies the spirit of teamwork that empowers our mission at Open Arms. Together, we continue to uplift children’s education and an inclusive global community while having a blast along the way!
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Seoul Foreign School International Fair &
Yongsan International School of Seoul Fair
April 25, 2025
Open Arms was represented at the SFS and YISS international fairs by our amazing volunteers and HaNeul, our mascot. This year, we also had a very fun and engaging HaNeul themed game that the kids loved! We had merchandise available for donations at YISS, and were excited to see our mascot go out into the world with new friends. Our presence at these fairs is a great opportunity to advocate our mission and also find willing partners to join us on the journey. Big thanks to SFS and YISS for having us! We look forward to being at Dwight and Dulwich soon, so please come find us!
| | Dulwich College Seoul Charity Club | | |
Dulwich College Seoul has been a partner with Open Arms since 2017. Every year Open Arms members have met the children to talk about the important work we do and how our actions positively affect those around us. It is inspiring to see the children engage in the Charity Club, where they not only learn about our mission but also take action to make a difference. They recently held a Read-A-Thon to raise money for Open Arms. The children came together to read, raise funds, and ignite a love for books, ultimately raising an astounding 3,000,000 KW for Open Arms! Thank you for being an integral part of our mission and for your special gift to Open Arms and the children!
| | Every month Open Arms gives the kids more than 100 snacks in our programs - so snacks are a big deal! Therefore, we are so grateful to Dwight School’s student groups who are wonderful, generous partners to our work. They make the holidays feel extra special for our kids. The Family Bridges donated 100 Easter goodie bags for all the kids in our programs and the Youth Red Cross donated 100 bags for Children’s Day. Each package was created with careful consideration, consisting of snacks, drinks and games. Our kids loved the goodies! | |
Open Arms provides play and activity-based English education for children living at welfare homes.
We meet the children as toddlers 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.
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Volunteer Sign Up
Every quarter we send out our ROTA to sign up for program attendance for the volunteers. It is very important that you let us know if and when you can join so we can plan accordingly.
| | CW Toddlers Our toddlers have graduated and moved on to the Early Years Program! No new Toddler Program for the time being. | | CW Early Years & Primary Tuesday/weekly 5:30-6:15 pm | | Thank you to our CW volunteers EARLY YEARS: Kathrine (liaison), Dee Dee (coordinator), Lola, Marta, Irene, Veronica, Shevanti PRIMARY: Katy (coordinator), Kathrine, Silvia, Amethyst, Sanjana, Joseph, Lauren | | |
DTV Primary Thursday/weekly 5:30-7:00pm
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.
| | Thank you to our DTV volunteers: Nancy (liaison), Katy (coordinator), Ash, Elena, Amethyst, Heena, Gaby | | MJ Primary Early Teens Sat/monthly 10:00-12:00pm | | Thank you to our MJ volunteers: Joohee (liaison), Louisa (coordinator), Sophie (coordinator), Darine, Alice, Nikki, Chey, Veronica, Cate, Melissa, Kathrine, Elaine, Jessica, Jihong, Lindsay, Elze | | Dulwich Early Teens Saturday/monthly 10:00-12:00pm | | Thank you to our Dulwich volunteers: Chris (liaison/coordinator), Joseph (coordinator), Sophie, Gordon, Kelly, Lindsay, Elaine, Jim, Veronica & Christine | | SMW Primary Early Teens Saturday/monthly 10:00-12:00pm | | Thank you to our SMW PRIMARY volunteers: Amethyst (liaison, coordinator), Erica (liaison, coordinator), Sophia, Agnes EARLY TEENS volunteers: Amethyst (liaison, coordinator), Erica (liaison, coordinator), Arya, Robin | | |
SDW @ SFS EY Friday/weekly 4:30-6:00 pm
Currently not open to new volunteers
The SFS Open Arms English Club program is a fun, activity based way of learning English. Activities such as treasure hunts in the forest, games and reading time are set in the inspiring atmosphere of the SFS learning environment, The participating children are a mix from SDW and SFS with volunteers from Open Arms who plan and facilitate the activities.
| | Community, connection, kids and fun are some of the key words our volunteers use to describe what they love about Open Arms. We are proud of our community, that every week and weekend show up to give the kids magical memories while practicing their English. We celebrated more than 1800 volunteer hours with the kids in 2024. If you want to join our community as a volunteer, check out the opportunities on our website: www.theopenarms.org | | |
I started volunteering with Open Arms in May 2024, and it quickly became one of the most meaningful parts of my life in Korea. Every Tuesday, I spend time with the amazing kids at CW, and seeing them grow, open up to the world, and learn English is simply unforgettable. Their energy, curiosity, and smiles brighten my week in ways I can’t even put into words.
I also help with finance and fundraising, supporting the organization behind the scenes. It’s been so rewarding to apply the skills I developed before starting my new expat life in Korea, while also gaining new ones that are incredibly precious to me.
Being part of Open Arms has made this new chapter of my life so much richer — I’m grateful every day for the chance to give back and to be part of such a beautiful community.
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irene
CW EY & Administration (Finance)
Nationality: Italian
Volunteer since 2024
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goodbye & thank you
잘 가, 친구
| | Thank you for your sacrifice of time and dedication. Your presence and kindness made a difference and have created lasting memories for the children. We wish you the best in your next chapter and invite you to continue this meaningful journey with us by joining our newly launched Alumni Association. This is a wonderful opportunity to remain connected and support the ongoing growth and development of the children you have touched so deeply and to help create a global network. | | management & administration teams | | Thank you also to our passionate and dedicated members who work behind the scenes to build our small but beautiful organisation | | | | |
CONTACT US
#2173, 20th Fl, 149, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03186 South Korea
info@theopenarms.org
| | Thank you to all the volunteers for contributing photos and reports. If you have any questions or ideas for upcoming newsletters, please DM or email Barbara at info@theopenarms.org. It's a joy to bring you the latest news! | | | | |
