Open Arms Korea, Fall 2021 Newsletter |
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Chuseok display at Hongjecheon Waterfall near Seodaemun-gu office |
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As I write, we are celebrating Chuseok in Korea. Every roadside stall and truck is loaded with fruits: peaches, apples, figs, grapes, melons. We are in early autumn and with the temperatures dropping, already it's possible to detect a change in the environment around us. In just a few weeks, the fall colours will be at their height - a dazzling display of reds, oranges and deep rich browns. It's a time of thankfulness for not only nature's gifts, but also for friends, family and colleagues: those people without whom we could not exist, nor achieve anything worthwhile. It's undoubtedly my favourite time of the year.
It's a time of reflection too; to look back on the months that have passed and see the changes in myself and in the world around me. How has Open Arms Korea fared during the heat of the summer and the restrictions of the pandemic?
Like a seed, hidden in the earth, we have been putting down roots and pushing up a strong stem, foliage and buds: gathering our energy to produce fruit of our own. And what will our fruit be like? We hope it will carry seeds - seeds of love, hope and the discovery of a world outside their own - to children whose chances in life have been restricted by abandonment and the lack of family bonds. Please read on to find out what we have been doing and how you can help!
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Sally
Admin Officer
Open Arms Korea Team
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Please note: As the COVID situation is rapidly changing, our in-person classes have been cancelled until further notice to protect the children who live in a high risk environment |
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New Volunteer Meeting
*30th September 2021, 7-8.15pm*
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The strength of Open Arms is our loving community of volunteers. We are preparing for another exciting year of activities for the children and hope you will consider joining our team!
We are planning a meeting for those interested in volunteering with Open Arms, to find out what is involved and ask questions about expectations and commitment. There is no obligation to commit, but we would love to meet you and find out more about you!
The general location of the homes we work with are marked on the map below, and we are especially interested in volunteers who live within reasonable travelling distance.
We are also looking for volunteers to help us with legal documents, translation, social media, etc. If you have a skillset and would like to help us, please let us know!
If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming an Open Arms volunteer, please join us online for our New Volunteer Meeting, where you can learn more about Open Arms, what we do, and why we do it. 7 - 8.15pm, 30th September 2021. Or, if you are unavailable on that date, let us know by registering your interest!
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Due to increased Covid-19 cases in Korea and heightened restrictions, CWWC Early Year’s classes have gone online. Katy and Miyong have begun teaching 3 classes of 30 minutes each with 4 children per session on Tuesdays. Thanks to the determination of Ms. Sunmi, who coordinated and orchestrated the online class for the children, we are still able to connect with the children through a screen. We are all longing for the day when we can return to in-person teaching but are grateful for the opportunity to see and talk to the children. At the moment, we are only able to teach a group of 12 children but continue to prepare and send lessons to the other children via individualized English educational packs and videos. Please let us know if you are interested in teaching on-line and/or help prepare packs and videos.
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Early Childhood Education |
'Early childhood education gives children the best start in life. Early childhood (between 0-5 years old) is an ideal time to absorb basic skills. It’s proven to help give children a strong basis for social, emotional and cognitive skills for future learning and development.'
Unicef Canada
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Involving your friends, family and community
At Open Arms, there are plenty of opportunities for families, friends and communities to get involved, whether it be creating resources for our programs, raising funds, or organizing treats. Let's work together!
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Open Hearts Create
Open Minds!
Dee Dee’s daughters, Lily and Olivia, have been leading online English conversation classes every week with a young girl who recently moved from the US. Their enthusiasm and hard work preparing each class has blossomed into a beautiful friendship with Ye-Eun. It’s truly inspiring!
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Each week we play English games online with our friend living in a Korean welfare home. Ye-Eun really likes drawing and matching games the best. We try to find new ways to communicate and encourage her - and to keep learning English. Ye-Eun’s life in the welfare home isn’t easy, but every time we are together she is happy and energetic. We plan to meet her in person one day soon and imagine having her come to our house for a sleepover with Disney movies and snacks! It’s our hope that we become good friends that Ye-Eun can count on - and of course we dream that one day she will be adopted and grow up with a loving family.
By Lily (15) and Olivia (13)
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A team of volunteers - old and new, as well as some of their family members - were able to meet to create packs on the theme of healthy food for our welfare home kids, to help them with their English and make sure they know they are not forgotten! Thank you to all our volunteers and their families who turned up! |
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Management Team
Behind the Scenes
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Open Arms is solely run by volunteers. During the pandemic, with in-person classes cancelled, we were able to focus on the organization. The management team devoted a lot of time working together and also individually on specific areas needing development. In particular, Sally worked tirelessly on the Open Arms Child Protection Policy, Membership, housekeeping within our Google Drive, chairing meetings and writing minutes, website, etc. etc.! Thank you Sally for all that you do! You make Open Arms and the world for the children, better!
‘There was a moment when everything seemed to have stalled - I was doing a lot (because I had time) but I felt like I was working in a vacuum. We couldn't visit the kids. I wondered if I should give up and quit. But I couldn't! Because of the kids! Because we knew, thanks to Sarah, that they missed us. That's how I finally knew I was in the right place.’
Please take a moment to visit our website to check out all the new updates by clicking the buttons below.
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Why become a Member of Open Arms? |
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You are interested in helping orphaned children in Korea achieve a happy and successful future and you understand and want to support our mission, but perhaps you don’t have the time to give, or you live too far away. Or maybe you are already giving your time but also want to help us financially. Did you know that by becoming a subscribing Member of Open Arms Korea, with a monthly or annual subscription to suit your pocket, you give us valuable help in achieving our mission - help that we cannot get just through our volunteers? |
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Sanjini is temporarily back in Seoul 😊 |
Due to the ongoing global pandemic, Sanjini is back in Seoul for the time being. Although we are sad for her delayed move, we are happy to see her in the flesh. Thank you for your continued devotion to Open Arms! |
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#2173, 20th Fl, 149, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03186 South Korea
ph. +82 10 5917 3214 (krn)
ph. +82 10 2716 5644 (eng)
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