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Child sponsorship is one of the cheapest and simplest ways to make a huge impact in the lives of children born into poverty. The letters reprinted here were written by children living in Salvation Army homes in Korea and sponsored through The Salvation Army in Australia. Their accounts of their seemingly ordinary lives are proof that a relatively small amount of money can make a big difference.
Photos show Kim, Jae-hee with (top) sponsor Gordon Knowles
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Korea: The Gift of Life
by Korean children sponsored by The Salvation Army in Australia
Miss Kim, Jae-hee
Seoul Broadview Children’s Home
Hello
This is Kim, Jae-hee whom you are sponsoring. How have you been keeping? Spring has already come here to the Republic of Korea. Everything looks very beautiful these days with fantastic scenes all over the countryside with the blossoms of various trees that have started to bud.
Currently in my final year of high school studies, I have been thinking a lot about my plans for the future. I am grateful to The Salvation Army for it provides me with many benefits in my schooling as well as in my home life. I need to take extra studies at school until late at night during the week and even over the weekends at the home. This is to prepare me for my next step in education, whether this be at college or university. I thank the Seoul Broadview Children’s Home for all the support I am given to enable me to study so well.
You will know that I am a member of the Seoul Broadview Children’s Home Band. Recently I changed instruments as I was having trouble with trombone practice. Nonetheless, I thank God for the privilege I have to be able to help spread his love to others through the music we play.
In our country, the last year of high school study is very difficult for students. The teachers at the home are always kind to me. They show much concern and love toward me. I am so happy to be so blessed.
I study hard so I may fulfil my dream of becoming a good social worker. I want to help others in this way, just as those who have helped me.
Well, keep healthy, won’t you. I always appreciate the support you give me and I know it comes to me with your love.
I pray that God may give many blessings to you and to your family.
Goodbye for now.
With my love,
Jae-hee
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Master Lee, Noh-joon
Kunsan Children’s Home
My mother passed away when I was only 10 months old. My father, who is a fisherman, was having a very difficult time trying to support me so sent me to the Moses Home for Babies. I have lived here in The Salvation Army Kunsan Children’s Home ever since I was sent here from the Moses Home at the age of five years.
Do you know what I think? I am very grateful because my school marks keep improving step by step in every grade ever since being here at the home and entering my current school. Because of that, I have changed from being very introverted to being an active, happy and outgoing person who is confident in making friends. I am doing well now in various parts of my life.
From time to time I think of what I would like to do in the future. I have almost decided that I would like to be involved in protecting the environment. I know there are many things related to this field which I will need to be learning so I will try to do my best to fulfil this goal.
God has given us such beautiful things in nature. It is perfect. So I will try to help preserve the wonderful environment he created so people can know and feel the love of God through nature.
Every day I arrive at school at eight o’clock in the morning and study right through until nine o’clock in the evening. This is not unusual – high school students who want to enter college or university here in Korea must do this. Further, supplementary lessons are taken in English and mathematics in private learning institutes. This often takes me through to midnight.
Sometimes I feel I would like to take more rest or wish studying would come more easily to me but I cannot help but do my best.
Thank you.
Lee, Noh-joon
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Miss Jang, Saet-byul
Taegu Children’s Home
Dear sponsor,
Hello and how are you? I like dancing and singing very much. I am now 15 years old [Korean age*]: a 15-year-old young lady who is learning dancing to fulfil my dream of becoming a dancer. I go to a private education institute after school every day to practise dancing.
I am deeply grateful to the people of the Taegu Children’s Home who have brought me up. I am very thankful to them as well as to you, my sponsor, for helping me to learn my favourite dancing. I always feel very happy to have such a lovely sponsor as you.
Dear sponsor, I would like to let you know that whereas it is lots of fun to dance, yet sometimes it is very hard and I feel it is too difficult. Yet I will continue to do my best so as to realise my dream of becoming a dance teacher in the future.
Dear sponsor, please watch out for me and pray for me always.
Take care. Goodbye for now
Jang, Saet-byul
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*Koreans are regarded as being one year old when they are born so this is equivalent to 14 years old in most of the world.
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