As COVID-19 hit South Korea with full force, KKOOM’s Board of Directors learned that KKOOM-supported children’s homes were in the middle of what would end up being a 7-week mandatory government lockdown. The children’s home would be responsible for any costs incurred, should a child contract coronavirus.
I immediately texted one of the high school students: “How are things with COVID?”
“Nothing’s really hard,” came the response. “Online school is a little tiring because our house has 3 computers we share.” Three computers shared among 8 boys.
For children and youth growing up in the South Korean welfare system, access to education quite literally saves their lives. Education helps level the playing field, thus increasing opportunities to secure a stable job in the future.
The first wave of the novel coronavirus confined students in all three KKOOM-supported children’s homes from attending school in person, prompting requests to fund urgent technology needs. In 11 days, KKOOM’s extended family – our Board of Directors, family, friends, supporters, and strangers – came together and raised $14,000.
These funds provided 17 desktop computers and 5 laptops to children’s homes in Seoul and the Gyeongsangbuk-do region. Thank you to everyone who joined us in sending love to South Korea! With your help, approximately 200 at-risk Korean children and youth continued their education with access to updated technology.
Liat Shapiro, Board of Directors
Korean Kids and Orphanage Outreach Mission
One of the students enjoying the newly installed PC at a KKOOM-supported children’s home
