Open Arms Korea, Spring Update - April 2021

Hello Open Arms Friends

Welcome to the Open Arms Spring update! We hope that this more interactive format will keep us better informed and connected as a community. We value your dedication to the children and hope that even though we are limited to personal interactions, you will still contribute in whatever way you can. It’s been over a year since the pandemic hit Korea and the world. Our commitment to the children is unwavering and we are continuing to adapt as an organization. Katy, our Education Director extraordinaire, has worked tirelessly to pool resources and volunteers to create videos and individual packages for the children. Even though we cannot physically be with them, they know we are still waiting to see them face to face as soon as the restrictions ease. In the coming months, we need to regroup and focus on reconnecting our community, pulling our talents together to make Open Arms even stronger. Your voice is important and valuable to us. We look forward to the reopening of doors and the children running into our Open Arms. Let’s get ready! With gratitude and love, Barbara. Your newsletter Editor.

Dream Tree Village Early Years Program On Thursday the 18th of March we began our Early Years Program at another welfare home. We have now reached three welfare homes! We are particularly grateful to Sarah Koh for introducing and recommending OA to Dream Tree Village. A small team of our volunteers - Dee Dee, Miyong, Sanjini and Vanessa - led by Katy, enjoyed a lively and interactive session with ten girls. We introduced each other, created name plates using a treasure hunt and crafting, sang songs and ate a snack together. Before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye. Sadly the sessions have been paused due to an uptick in Covid-19 numbers. However we're optimistic that we will be able to return soon! See more photos

Are you interested in volunteering regularly at Dream Tree Village EY Program? Yes Select Not at this time but put me on the waiting list Select

Baking for Open Arms CWWC Early Years volunteer James, a teacher at Dulwich College Seoul, has been baking sour dough bread, hot cross buns and other amazing homemade breads to raise money for educational supplies. Orders can be placed through his Instagram account The Little Flying Bear Bakery. Order now A huge thank you for also putting together the activities and resources this month. Katy and James chose the story of Jaspers beanstalk with some beans of their own to plant and a diary to fill in as their beanstalk grows. Thank you James!

The children in the Early Years program wrote heartwarming Get Well cards for Gretchen.

Get Well Soon Gretchen Open Arms is a strong community of friends for the children. Our diversity and open minds make us who we are as an organization. We celebrate victories but also hardships together. Sadly, one of our CWWC Early Years volunteers, Gretchen, has recently fallen very ill. We wish her a speedy recovery. Please keep her in your thoughts and hearts.

CWWC Easter Egg Hunt Although we could not physically be there, Easter Bunny Katy provided all that was needed for the Easter egg Hunt.

DTV Easter Activity In line with our organizational values Open Arms strives to be environmentally and socially conscious. We believe we need to lead by example, especially when it comes to our children. We want to make our choices matter and therefore (along with their worksheets) we provided the children with wooden eggs to decorate and hope they will be re-used in the years to come and eventually naturally biodegrade. As we were unable to visit the kids due to Covid restrictions hard boiled eggs will have to be used next year!

Donate Financial contributions are greatly appreciated and needed to help cover operational costs and educational supplies. OPEN ARMS KOREA Charity registration: 514-82-91379 Banking information: Woori Bank Account Number: 1005-904-041250

Thank you for the donation! Creative art and play supplies including paints, easel, play dough and a kitchen were donated by an SFS family. Please contact Katy or email [email protected] if you would like to donate new or gently used educational items. Please note that only new clothing and bedding donations are accepted.

Call for volunteers! Would you like to make a difference in our community? We are looking for volunteers for administrative roles and in-person classes (Toddler and Early Years). Please help spread the word and encourage your friends to apply. Take Action

COVID-19 situation For the safety of our children and volunteers, most of our programs have shifted to virtual learning. We are currently monitoring the evolving situation and hope to reconnect with the children as soon as it is safe to return. For Further Inquiries Contact Us Via Email [email protected]

eFM Podcast Analysis on the current reality and problems faced by young youth who 'age out' of Korean welfare facilities Guest: Professor Cho Heekyung, Hongik University College of Law

Listen

Upcoming Meetings As many of you are aware Open Arms is now a formally registered organisation and with that comes a lot of work! While we have to respect Covid19 restrictions our organizational meetings are ongoing - virtually. We are always looking for volunteers to get involved with many organisational aspects of OA. Are you or a friend looking for a worthy cause to support? Do you have a few hours (or more!) to spare? We have an array of tasks/job descriptions to fill. Please let us know if you're interested in putting your skills to good use. Please join us! Email [email protected] or contact Sanjini directly at [email protected]

I would like to attend. Please contact me for more information. Finance meeting - TBD Select Organizational/Administrative meetings - every Wednesday 9:30 am Select Education and Strategic Planning meeting - Saturday am TBD Select Mentoring Program brainstorm session - TBD Select

Switch to Signal for Encrypted Messaging Download App OA group messaging chats will no longer be on KakaoTalk. Please download Signal App to be a part of our OA community chats. Text Link

Submit Your Profile Pictures Our community of volunteers make Open Arms who we are. We are updating our website to include volunteer photos and need yours too! Please submit your photos to [email protected] ASAP. Thank you!

Did you know? 80 to 90 percent of all South Korean children born to single mothers have ended up in orphanages and become ineligible for adoption. Read More

‌ ‌	#2173, 20th fl, 149, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea ph. +82 10 5917 3214 (krn) ph. +82 10 2716 5644 (eng) Take Action