Learning Freedom: Help Educate North Korean Youth

Each year since 2001, we have been offering our special program for North Korean children and youth resettling in South Korea - the Hangyoreh School. The students usually attend regular South Korean schools and during the school break, they come to our program to receive special assistance with the subjects that cause them most difficulties at schools. During the recent program, we taught English, Math, Korean, as well as extracurricular subjects to 25 students for three weeks. The North Korean students also learned about democracy and what it means to be an active citizen of a democratic country.

However, the Hangyoreh School (Meaning: One nation) is much more than just an academic assistance program. It offers North Korean students an opportunity to spend valuable time with South Korean teachers and volunteers, make friendships and learn about the South Korean society in a way they will never learn from textbooks. It is also a great opportunity for South Korean volunteers to interact with the North Korean students and learn about their lives in North Korea and their problems in adjustment in South Korea. As such, the program is a small-scale reunification project run in this still divided country, with no other possibility of people-to-people contacts and exchanges.

Do-eun-3rd year in Catholic University of Korea Department of Economics

The most unforgettable part of my experience in Hankyoreh School was the passion that the students showed. Before class, I believed that there were many students who lacked effort. After a couple days, however, the students showed diligence and focus and I realize that these students’ grades were poor because they simply lacked the opportunity to receive formal education. I was proud of the students for their effort, but on the other hand, it made me concerned that the educational needs of some kids were not being fulfilled solely because of their birthplace.

Soo-yeon-3rd year in Hongik University Department of English Education

The Hankyoreh School finally came to an end, but it still doesn’t feel like it did. For my grandfather returned alone from North Korea after the Korean War, I believe it was destiny that brought me and Hankyoreh School together. The program had a special meaning to me because I had such a background. I’m truly happy that I was able to make great memories with the students and other teachers during these 3 weeks.

Ha-young-4th year in Kyung Hee University Department of Philosophy

I seem to always learn a lot more than what I teach in volunteer work, and this program was no exception. There were students who would never lose grip of their pen until solving a problem, students who felt time flying when studying, students who found studying enjoyable, students who did their best in their position regardless of the age gap among peers, students who never lost focus even during recess and students who studied English during lunch and dinner to become a translator. It was a far cry from what you typically see in a South Korean high school study hall. I dare say the Latin phrase “Sapere Aude” seemed apt to label these students.

The Hangyoreh School is fully funded by private and individual donors. This year, U$ 1,119.45 came from the generous donations of our Global Giving donors and constituted 10% of the total cost of the program. 

Thanking you for your continous support, the NKHR Team would like to wish great summer vacations to our wonderful donors!