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Katy Freeman
Education Director
2019-2026
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Hello!
OA is built on dreams and Katy is a dreamer. At the very beginning of OA, we dreamt of a 15 year program. It seemed impossible but then we met Katy. When I first met her in the spring of 2019 at a school event, she came up to me and said, ‘Hi, my name is Katy. What do you do?’ I replied, ‘Nothing’. She said, ‘No really. I don’t believe you. What do you do?’ A little shocked, I then told her, I ran an English program for toddlers in a welfare home’ ‘Tell me more. I’m interested.’ I told her about Open Arms and that we were looking for someone to start an Early Years program for the toddlers who are graduating. Shortly after, she came to a class and immediately said, ‘I’m in.’ And the rest is history!
She saw something special in our little program and more importantly, fell in love with the children. Katy changed Open Arms forever. In September 2019, she started the Early Years program at Cheongwoon. From the beginning, it was pure magic and still is. Putting together pictures of the past 8 years brought back so many memories. As an early years teacher at SFS, Katy’s classroom is full of wonder. If the kids couldn’t go there, she was determined to bring it to them. It’s unbelievable what she filled her car with; tadpoles, snails, ducklings, blenders, frying pans, dirt, tea pots, camping equipment, etc. She has brought awe and new experiences into the classroom for 8 years.
Before I go on, I have to acknowledge and thank Katy’s family - Lily, Perry and Andy. They sacrificed space in their house and car, which was always full of OA supplies, and opened the doors of SFBS. But more importantly, they all sacrificed the time not spent with Katy for 8 years. Back in 2019, her girls were only 11 and 12 years old. They also required time but got used to their mother not being there after school and on weekends. Somehow Katy made it up to them by being the coach of the school swim team, volunteering at a dog shelter among other things, all while working full time! I had the great pleasure of meeting Katy’s mum in 2019. I told her how grateful I was for Katy and how much she does for the children. She replied, ‘As she should.’ Katy has also taught her children and us all, what a life of love and passion can accomplish.
Katy is a force. She pulls people and opportunities into OA and nothing escapes her. But it does not always happen instantly. It sometimes takes years. But Katy always has that person or idea in her head and never gives up. Seeing her CW kids in her classroom at SFBS in 2024 was a dream come true. That also led to various programs held at SFS and Dulwich. I often wonder what the kids think on the school bus, how proud they must feel going to an international school with our volunteers waiting for them with open arms.
For 8 years, Katy has nurtured and cared for OA and all the children. She jumped at every opportunity for the kids and never said no. She never gave up and always turned a bad situation into a learning experience. For the past 2 years, we have been trying to prepare for her departure and preserve her brain. For years, she single handedly ran all programs but now we have an entire team of coordinators, curriculum planners, etc.
Katy, although OA will never be the same, you left us with a program beyond our wildest dreams. Your absence will leave a massive black hole, but your gravitational pull by the good work we have accomplished together, will fill it. When I left in 2020, you said to me ‘Don’t worry. I will take care of your baby.’ Now today, we can all say, ‘Don’t worry. We will take care of your baby.’ Thank you Katy. We love you so much. No doubt, the kids will be find their way to Katy emo, wherever you are in the world.
With love,
Barbara & all of us from Open Arms
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Highlights
- Inaugural Early Years class at Cheongwoon on September 17, 2019
- 2nd Annual Dulwich Christmas Drive presents given to CW children at Christmas party
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Highlights
- COVID 19 Pandemic
- All in person programs shut down indefinitely
- Pivoted to sending individual 'Learning Packs' to every child monthly in order to keep in touch with the children so they knew they weren't 'forgotten' (organized by Katy at SFS)
- Room 'caregivers' started to run English classes in place of OA volunteers with education supplies sent to them
- 'Working Group' (first management group) formed and met online to strengthen Organization - with Katy as a core member
- Despite the pandemic, Dulwich Christmas gift drive continues to spread Christmas cheer to all the children at CW and SMW
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Highlights
- COVID 19 Pandemic continues into its 2nd year
- Individual 'Learning Packs' to every child monthly continued at CW
- Online video classes at CW
- NEW! In person DT Early Years girls program in April
- Small group of Open Arms volunteers allowed back at CW in June!
- NEW! Monthly in person EY/Primary Myeongjin program in October
- Dulwich Christmas gift drive expands as the programs reach more homes
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Highlights
- In person programs resume at CW, MJ & DT
- Special events: Cirque du Soleil
- Katy's radio interview
- Changemakers (aged out kids) at SFS
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Highlights
- Toddler Program at CW restarts
- DT girls at SFBS/Monthly, OA's first off-site class
- NEW! Fur All Dogs partnership program
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Highlights
- NEW! Shinmangwon Primary Program
- NEW! Sundukwon @ SFS Early Years Program
- NEW! SIWA OA Coming Together
- NEW! MJ @ Dulwich Pre-Teen Program
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Highlights
- Special Events: Wicked, SIWA OA Coming Together, launch of Haneul mascot
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Highlights
- Maryann to replace Katy as Educational Director
- SIWA OA Coming Together
| | Hello Katy teacher, I am grateful for you taking care of me with such a kind heart. Thank you for playing and laughing with me. Please stay healthy and I hope you come back to Korea. Thank you again for playing with me. - MJ child | | Goodbye, please don't go and die in Spain. - MJ child | | |
A Teacher's Grace
A teacher's grace is like the heavens, The more we look up, the higher it seems.
"Be truthful, be righteous," you taught us. A teacher is the parent of the heart.
Ah, how thankful we are for a teacher's love, Ah, we shall repay a teacher's grace.
A teacher's love is as weighty as Mount Taesan, Yet a teacher's kindness is easy to forget once apart.
Wherever we go, whenever it may be, how could we forget
The grace of the teacher who nurtured our hearts?
Ah, how thankful we are for a teacher's love, Ah, we shall repay a teacher's grace.
A teacher's love is deeper than the sea,
And there is only one way to repay it while we live:
By engraving your teachings in our hearts
And working for our country and our people
Ah, how thankful we are for a teacher's love,
Ah, we shall repay a teacher's grace.
| | Katy teacher, we love you. Thank you. Stay healthy always. The Cheonwoon angels will never forget you and will pray for you with two hands clasped. I hope you and your family will stay healthy and please don't forget about the Cheongwoon angels. - Ms. Kang, Cheongwoon | | |
I am so grateful for all the time I have had working so closely with you, and learning so much from you - the way you teach and bring people along , keeping us all focused on our love and service of the kids. And it never stops there- there's all the other communities you create and serve along the way. You will be so sorely missed - not just for all you did and created for Open Arms but the energy, inspiration and trust you did it with. And yet, while you will be physically somewhere else we will still hear your laugh and feel your heart through the huge legacy you leave behind. I just know this isn't goodbye but see you very very soon.. - Yolekha
| | | | I have often called Katy a magical octopus because she seemed to be able to do so much for so many people all at once. Katy has a unique way of navigating chaos, still making everyone feel safe and seen. I feel very lucky to have work alongside her in Open Arms and I will always carry her approach to life with me: We should not say no to magic – we always find a way to make it work. - Inger | | |
What can I say as a fitting tribute to Katy? Anything I think of seems less than what is needed. I can say, for sure, without Katy, OA would not have survived. She was the heart and hands during Covid that kept in touch with the children and the homes, and has kept us going since then. Watching the video and looking at the photos of her farewell parties is proof that she is the embodiment of what OA wants to achieve with each and every child. They love her because she has made them feel loved. She has been such a beautiful example to us all of joy, self-giving, generosity, encouragement and love. With Katy, there is always a way through every difficulty and complication, that sets us back on the right path of our mission, directing us back to our core goals of being there for the children. I thank God for Katy! - Sally
| | | | I have been so lucky to have met you and worked with you at Open Arms. You are a wonder and an inspiration and I enjoyed every moment together. All the very best for your next chapter! Thinking of you. - Sophie | | |
A big thank you for everything that you have done for OA over the last 8 years! It was a pleasure to work alongside you with your tireless commitment to doing the best for the children in your care. The early days of MJ were manic at times but your ability to stay positive and problem solve were truly appreciated. The teaching side of OA has gone from strength to strength in your role as Educational Officer, leaving an excellent foundation to continue to grow. I know it wasn't always easy to juggle family commitments with Open Arms. I'd also like to say a big thank you to them too. I know you'll thrive in whatever you put your big heart into next. I wish you all the best in Spain. - James
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How do you describe Katy? Everyone who meets her immediately encounters her energy and generous spirit. She is deeply dedicated to the encouragement and teaching of children, which is why she was such a perfect fit for Open Arms. As a volunteer, I learned so much from Katy, and we will always miss her. I am grateful for the lasting impact Katy had on Open Arms and on all of us who had the privilege of learning from her. Blessings on all the lives you will touch in the years ahead, Katy! - Dee Dee
| | | | An era is coming to an end with you leaving Korea. Fortunately, you’ve built something lasting here so your legacy stays here with us and we shall never forget you. All the best in this new chapter in your life and the best of luck with everything. Safe travels - keep in touch. Loads of love from all of us - Erika | | | | You have been an inspiration! Your boundless enthusiasm and love for the Open Arms children has touched all of them and us as volunteers. You always show up - even after your own long workday - with a big smile, your warm laugh and a seemingly endless supply of engaging activities. You embody the Open Arms mission - making the learning seem like playtime. We will all miss you dearly! - Colleen | | | | I've learned so much over these two years observing your phenomenal dedication to the cause of Open Arms. Thank you for your example of patience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the kids whose childhoods you've enriched with kindness and love. It is a remarkable blessing for Open Arms to have had you on the ground during these foundational years. Thank you for setting such high standards for us all to aspire to. - Veronica | | | | |
CONTACT US
#2173, 20th Fl, 149, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03186 South Korea
info@theopenarms.org
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