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 | |
| Here's what happened in the last months and what's to come! | |
Hello!
Every year I come back to Korea, I am amazed at how much Open Arms and the children have grown; from 10 toddlers and 3 volunteers in 2017 to now over 90 children in 6 programs and over 90 volunteers, staying true to our 1:1 mission. The ‘toddlers’ from our inaugural program are now teenagers and still part of the Primary program at Cheongwoon! I also had the pleasure of meeting the ‘teenagers’ I mentored since 2016, who are now young adults. It gives us hope that our kids too, will be ok and also want to stay in touch with us. We cannot underestimate the value of having an adult in their lives who shares their childhood memories.
On the flight back to Toronto from Seoul, I watched a documentary about Christopher Reeves. His life and fight to bring dignity and hope to the most vulnerable population reminded me of what we are all trying to do through Open Arms. Even though Christopher and his wife Dana, have left the world, their legacy and fight lives on through their children. This is also true of OA, which continues to move forward after members leave. Although we meet the children in different times of their lives, we are all part of their precious childhood memories.
‘I struggled to figure out what family values means. I think it means that we are all family. And that we all have value. If we are all committed to this idea of family, we’ve got to do something about it.’ - Christopher Reeves
Perhaps the most heartfelt experience I had during my time in Korea was at our Management Committee dinner. Over a meal together, we celebrated our community’s goodwill and shared our own personal life journeys. For some of us, including myself, our childhood made us resilient and determined to bring joy and happiness into children’s lives. Each member, past and present, is a piece of the beautiful quilt we are making that comforts and protects the children. Members and OA partners also care about each other and have opened doors for fellow members and their children too. What is clear is that we are more than just an organization. We are a chosen family who not only takes care of the children, but also each other.
When the first Superman movie came out, the most frequently asked question to Christopher Reeves was, ‘What is a hero?’ His answer then (before the accident that left him paralyzed) was 'Someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences. Now my answer is completely different. It’s an ordinary individual who finds the strength to endure and persevere despite overwhelming obstacles.’ The children are our heroes, who continue to inspire us all.
Thank you for your commitment to our mission. Have a relaxing, fun and well deserved summer break.
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barbara
Founder/Newsletter Editor
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UPCOMING EVENTS
No classes until August
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PAST EVENTS
AGM
SIWA
Int'l Fairs
Rustic Pathways
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PROGRAMS
See all 6 Programs + Alumni
Birthday Program
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OPEN
ARMERS
Sophie
Good bye to members leaving Korea
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NO CLASSES UNTIL AUGUST
Programs will start again in August, depending on volunteers’ availability, so if you haven’t yet please fill out the rotas that have been shared within your program chats. Thank you for your commitment and love for Open Arms and our kids - it’s because of this community that we continue to dream big. Have a safe and fun summer break, and see you in August! - Yolekha
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SUMMER PICNIC WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY
September 19
| Mark the date! It’s a great opportunity for our community to enjoy a fun day of food and games. Come to meet volunteers from different programs. Friends and family also welcome! More details to follow in August. | | |
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
April 18
Open Arms hosted its 9th Annual General Meeting at the RTR Lounge Art, and we were thrilled to see an incredible turnout of over 60 members - 41 in person and 26 by proxy - our biggest AGM ever! It was a wonderful opportunity for members across all programs to come together for an enjoyable evening reflecting on another successful year. As a membership democracy, the AGM serves as a vital forum for our community to understand the impact of our work, gain insight into our future direction, and provide input that helps us evolve for the better for the children we serve. During the event, we also celebrated the eight years of magic that Katy has brought to our programs; we wished her a fond farewell and the best of luck in Spain. We also welcomed Maryann Campos as the incoming Educational Director. The evening concluded with a festive reception provided by Vineworks, offering a great chance to connect with volunteers and community partners. A huge thank you to the hardworking AGM team (Yolekha, Marta, Naja, Lenka, Dee, Amethyst, Kathrine), who prepared the presentations and ensured the event went off without a hitch.
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Thank you Amethyst for setting up the Menti poll for our members at the AGM. Question was ‘How do you feel after hearing about everything Open Arms is doing?’
excited inspired proud motivated encouraged valuable community impressed grateful fun phenomenal magic future strong worthwhile
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SIWA Coming Together
May 3
Together with SIWA and the Association of Mexican Women in Korea (Asociación de Mujeres Mexicanas en Corea), the children in our program at Cheongwoon spent a fun-filled Children’s Day at Seoul Foreign School participating in Mexican games, activities and sweet surprises, along with SFS students, aged out young adults and OA volunteers. Words and pictures do not fully express the joy that child and adult alike felt. The children learned about Mexico, from Spanish greetings to beso culture. They then moved through different stations around the school, enjoying storytelling, trying on traditional Mexican clothing, playing la vibora de la mar in the gym, and learning Loteria, a beloved Mexican game similar to bingo. To end the day, all the children had a chance to hit the handmade piñatas that the AMMC prepared, and gathered lots of candies to take home with them!
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Dwight Spring Fair
May 16
Dulwich Spring Fair
May 30
Open Arms was represented at the Dwight School Seoul and Dulwich College Seoul by our amazing volunteers and HaNeul, our mascot. We had merchandise available for donations and were excited to see our mascot meet new friends. Our presence at these fairs is a great opportunity to advocate for our mission and also find willing partners to join us on the journey. We can't do what we do without your help. It takes a village. Thank you for not only volunteering at our programs but at the international school fairs and behind the scenes!
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Website Update - HaNeul
theopenarms.org <-- CLICK
The year long Mascot Project resulted in the birth of HaNeul (“하늘”), a special blue whale in spring, 2025. He swims the seas of knowledge, spreading love and English letters to the children while inviting them to explore the world together. The final mascot artwork was created by the famous Walt Disney character designer, Jin Kim. Thank you Wain Choi, who created and led the project with help from the children in all our programs, Katy and Inger. Thank you Janet for adding HaNeul to our website for the world to see. Click the link above to see the update!
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Watch HaNeul Come to Life
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Rustic Pathways @ SFS
June 27
A Morning to Remember. On June 27th, we had the pleasure of hosting a very special event at Seoul Foreign School, in collaboration with Rustic Pathways - an organisation that creates immersive cultural experiences for teenagers around the world.
Together with the children from Myeongjin Welfare Home, they spent the morning using the school's facilities, taking part in activities carefully prepared by the Rustic Pathways group. What struck us most was how quickly the children connected — despite different cultures, backgrounds, and even a language barrier, none of that seemed to matter. They played together, laughed together, and by lunchtime were sitting side by side as if they had known each other for years.
The dedication the visiting children showed in preparing activities for the Myeongjin kids was truly moving. And when the time came to say goodbye, there were tears on both sides.
Moments like these remind us why what we do matters. For children who don't always have the opportunity to feel seen and valued, an experience like this - being cared for, included, and celebrated - can mean the world. And watching it unfold was a powerful reminder of the impact our work has, one connection at a time. - MARTA
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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.
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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 inaugural program, started in 2017. There is no Toddler Program for the time being. | | CW Early Years & Primary Tuesday/weekly 5:30-6:15 pm | | Thank you to our dedicated CW volunteers: Katy, Kathrine, Dee Dee, Marta, Anne, Lola, Sejung, Kajal, Genesis, Silvia, Sanjana, Joseph, Amethyst, Lauren, Alicia | | Thank you everyone for a truly special evening and for all your love and care. It’s been a huge honour and a privilege to spend my Tuesday evenings with you all. I’m going to miss you all and the kids incredibly but also so grateful to know that they are all in such good hands. It is definitely not a goodbye just a see you soon!!! Please keep in touch and come and find me in Madrid!!! 😍😍 - KATY | | Fur All Dogs Partnership Program Monthly/rotating programs | | Fur All Dogs is on a mission to provide emotional support and help children heal and build confidence. Dogs are not allowed to live at the welfare homes we partner with, so Jeena brings them to the children, who are often afraid to even touch the dogs at the beginning of the session. She offers encouragement and reassurance so that most of the children leave having touched and even walked with the dogs. Other children, who have now known the dogs for years, look forward to seeing their favourite fuzzy friends, although they too were once afraid. It is beautiful to witness the emotional growth and bravery of the children. Thank you Jeena, Juno, Latte and Muffin for bringing unconditional love to the children. | | |
DT Primary
Thursday/weekly 5:30-7:00pm
| | Thank you to our DT volunteers: Amethyst, Veronica, OJ, Nancy, Katy, Madeleine, Brian, Lex, OJ | | I can’t begin to tell you all how much tonight meant to me. To have the girls sing to me is something I will remember forever 😍😍 I have just finished reading all of the wonderful notes from the girls and you all ... tears of sadness but also tears of gratitude and love. The Dream Tree girls are in wonderful hands because of all of you. Thank you all for making this program so special. Please keep in touch and if you ever come to the UK or Spain you must look me up. 😍😍😍 Thank you all again for the banner and singing, oh and cake!! 🤩🤩🤩 - KATY | | Korea Legacy Project Partnership Program Monthly/rotating programs | | Korea Legacy Committee is dedicated to providing support and love to the elderly population in Korea. They also partner with Open Arms to raise awareness of the poverty and hardship that seniors often face to the children in our programs. In May, the Dream Tree children decorated cookies for the seniors with cheerful and heartwarming messages. They all worked hard to make sure the seniors would feel that they too are loved and not forgotten. Thank you KLC for inspiring and empowering our kids and giving them opportunities to give back. | | MJ Primary/ Early Teens Sat/monthly 10:00-12:00pm | | Thank you to our MJ volunteers: Darine, Nikki, Lindsay, Brooke, Emma, Anna Maria, Sanjana, Jake, Tiffany, Iunia, Diana, Katerina, Helen, Justin, Zach, Sophie, Louisa | | Thank you Sophie and Louisa so much for your love and commitment to Open Arms and the kids, especially MJ. You have built such a solid program and will be very missed, but also you will always be a part of Open Arms and are not going far ❤️. Thank you also to the wonderful team, and Nikki and Iunia, for keeping it going so that we don't miss a step with the kids. I am so grateful for all of you. - YOLEKHA | | Dulwich Early Teens Saturday/monthly 10:00-12:00pm | | Thank you to our Dulwich volunteers: Joseph, Elaine, Lindsay, Rita, Beatrice, Isabelle, Emma, Brooke, Iunia, Lenka, Kat, Yunha | | SMW Primary/ Early Teens Saturday/monthly 10:00-12:00pm | | Thank you to our SMW volunteers: Amethyst, Erica, Arya, Robin, Agnes, Erika, Diana, Chase | | |
SFS/OA English Club Friday/weekly 4:30-6:00 pm
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.
| | Thank you to our SFS/OA English Club volunteers: Catherina, Judy, Seulgi, William, Heejae, Dee, Katy, Joanna, James | | Birthday Present Program CW & DT Programs | | |
The Birthday Present Program is truly special. It was started by Eric Seo, who wanted to celebrate the children’s birthdays at Cheongwoon to let them know they were not forgotten even though he left Korea in 2019. In 2023, he raised money to provide a birthday present for every child at Cheongwoon by riding 11.5 hours a day for a total of 215 km on his bike in British Columbia, Canada, with friends sponsoring him.
‘In 2019, I had a chance to volunteer with Open Arms as a Toddler and Early Year’s volunteer at CW. This experience truly changed my life and opened my eyes to the painful impact of broken families in South Korea. As soon as I met those beautiful children and experienced their resilient spirit, there was a special place in my heart that was touched. I saw the need of sharing love and providing hope for these kids, so what better way to celebrate the life of each child’s birthday than with a precious gift.’
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Soon after, Ash Bergstedt, a Dream Tree volunteer, had a similar idea.
‘I’ve been saving up some money to do something special for my 30th birthday. I’d been wracking my brain for a while trying to think of an idea, but then it hit me: I can think of no better way to celebrate my birthday than to help the children in Open Arms celebrate theirs! I can’t tell you how happy and excited I am to be able to contribute! I truly hope it can help the children to feel special on their birthdays.’
Both Eric (now living in Jeju) and Ash (now living in the US), continue to contribute to the Birthday Present Drive every year to celebrate the children’s special day and let them know, they are loved.
| | 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. If you want to join our community as a volunteer, check out the opportunities on our website: www.theopenarms.org | | |
I first heard about the incredible work of Open Arms in an assembly at Dulwich College Seoul. James Loft, the then leader of the Myeongjin and Dulwich programs, was updating the school on the funds raised and the impact they were having on the children from Myeongjin welfare home. I couldn't wait to find out how I could get involved and contribute.
Over two years later and I can't imagine my time in Seoul without Open Arms. In so many ways, it has given me far more than I could ever have given in return.
The attachments made with the amazing, courageous, talented children at Myeongjin, where I volunteered, the varied experiences every time we visited, both challenging and rewarding, the positive relationships with the welfare home staff, and of course, being part of the big Open Arms family of volunteers, all with the children always at the center of what we do together.
I will miss it all, so much, and hope to be able to continue contributing to the rich tapestry of the Open Arms community from all the way over in Scotland!
With love,
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Sophie Cran
MyeongJin & Dulwich Co-ordinator/Therapeutic Director
| | | You gave us your heart and we are so much better off because of you. For me personally, you have validated our work. At the very beginning of Open Arms, there were people that said OA wasn't impactful and even damaging. Of course we kept on doing what we do because we all knew we were making a difference, however small. But you proved that there's something behind our mission and vision. I am truly grateful for all your time and expertise. Thank you my friend and sister. I know it’s not the end. - BARBARA | | |
thank you & goodbye
잘 가, 친구
| | To the parting volunteers, thank you for your dedication and sacrifice of time. 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 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. | | | | |
Emily (DT)
Ella (DT)
Lachlan (DT)
Heena (DT)
Niki (DT)
David (Dulwich)
Lauren (CW)
Hailey (CW)
Maxine (Admin) Janet (Admin)
Sophie (MJ/DW)
Louisa (MJ/DW)
Naja (Admin)
| | | We are incredibly sad to see Louisa leave. She has been a valued member of the Open Arms family for the past 5 years. During that time, she has made a tremendous impact, particularly with our MJ programme, and she will be greatly missed by both the team and the children. Thank you, Louisa, for your unwavering commitment, enthusiasm, dedication, and love for the children. Your leadership, creativity, energy, and ability to inspire others have made a lasting difference to Open Arms. We wish you and your family every happiness and success as you begin your next adventure in Cairo, Egypt. Good luck—you will always be part of the Open Arms family! - KATY | | I am always so humbled and blown away when people like Naja find us and commit fully to serving with us. With her impressive background in plant molecular biology and environment and climate strategy (she has some amazing stories about flying around in helicopters and surveying the land!), having her amazing skills at program management, attention to detail, and careful policy considerations was such a huge asset to Open Arms. All of this, with an ever-accompanying smile infused with her genuine warmth and kindness. Thank you so much Naja for your time, and commitment. We will miss you but also know that once you are part of us here at Open Arms, you always will be. - YOLEKHA | |
Katy has safely arrived in Madrid, Spain where she begins a new exciting chapter. Her heart is still with Open Arms and the children she has nurtured for 8 years. We look forward to her bringing continued Katy energy and ambitious dreams to the Alumni and Open Arms. Read more about Katy's extraordinary journey in her childhood friend Jo's tribute to her in MenoShine.
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The Dream Tree girls were thrilled to video chat with Ash, who left Korea in 2025. It was a heartwarming conversation with the girls saying, ‘아시! I miss and love you! Where are you?’ ‘Please come back to Korea tomorrow. If that’s not enough time, come next week. You can stay in my bedroom’
The Alumni Group is dedicated to supporting Open Arms and maintaining meaningful connections with the children. Although our members are now based in various countries worldwide, we aim to share our global experiences with the children by developing educational lesson plans and collaborative projects. Above all, we want to ensure the children know they remain in our thoughts and have not been forgotten. Stay tuned for more news as we organize our dynamic group.
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Open Arms is a Volunteer-Driven Organisation
Thank you to our passionate and dedicated management & administrative teams who work behind the scenes to build our small but beautiful organisation.
YOLEKHA MALLIER, Executive Director
MARYANN CAMPOS, Educational Director
ERIKA LEE, Finance Director
JUSTIN IM, Fundraising
AMETHYST ETESSAM, Volunteer Director
KATHRINE NIELSEN, Welfare Home Liason
MARTA CASAS, Administration Director
DEE, Child Protection Officer
IRENE BORIONI, Finance
COLLEEN ALLAN, Fundraising
SOPHIE CRAN, Therapeutic Director
BARBARA BAI, Founder/Newsletter Editor
ALICIA CHUNG, Representative Director
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Maryann Campos, or Anne, will now take on the role of Educational Director. Anne, who is on the staff of Dulwich’s Primary School, is a long-time Open Arms volunteer and advocate. She was part of the first group of volunteers at CW, and has coordinated the very successful and impactful Christmas gift drive sponsored by Dulwich families for all the kids in our centers since 2018. She will assume Katy’s role on the Management Team and will continue to strengthen our relationships with our welfare centers and partners.
Katy, thank you for everything you have poured into OA and the children ❤️ It has been such a blessing having you with us, and we are so grateful for your kindness, love, and heart for the kids. We will miss you dearly, but we're comforted knowing this is not goodbye, just see you soon! Wishing you all the best in Madrid. The OA family will always have a place for you, and we would love to come and find you there one day! Safe travels, and God bless. - ANNE
Sophie Cran, our newly elected Therapeutic Director, relocated to the UK in July. Although it was unexpected news, she will continue to work with OA and develop our therapeutic work and training. We will miss her calm and caring presence but know it’s not goodbye. Thank you Sophie for your belief in Open Arms and your love and dedication to the children.
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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! | | | | |
