Orphans and Vulnerable Children & Young Adults in South Korea

Vulnerable children are placed in welfare homes for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, being an orphan. Abandonment, unstable family situations, health issues, etc. are other reasons for placement. Therefore, the term welfare home is used instead of orphanage. Regardless of the reason for being placed in a welfare home, all of these children are vulnerable and at-risk and must deal with the stigma and trauma of living in a welfare home.

Whom We Serve

Orphans and Vulnerable Children & Young Adults in South Korea

Vulnerable children are placed in welfare homes for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, being an orphan. Abandonment, unstable family situations, health issues, etc. are other reasons for placement. Therefore, the term welfare home is used instead of orphanage. Regardless of the reason for being placed in a welfare home, all of these children are vulnerable and at-risk and must deal with the stigma and trauma of living in a welfare home.

Welfare Homes

There are 275 government-recognized welfare homes in South Korea with a combined population of approximately 13,000 children aging from new born infants to 18-year-old students. (The exact number of additional children living in private homes is unknown, but some estimates say there may be a similar number of students residing in non-government-recognized welfare homes.)

NOTE: These numbers do not include the tens of thousands of adults who have already aged out of welfare homes and who often continue to need support and caring relationships with a responsible adult.

Graduates

200-600 of welfare home students age out every year when they turn 18 or graduate from high school.

When students age out of the system, they receive a one-time grant of up to 5,000,000 won (approx. $4, 200) from the government for living expenses.

Programs

LifeTogether has active programs for middle school and high school students in 4 welfare homes in the Seoul area, as well as ongoing support and mentoring for aged-out young adults. These 4 homes have a combined population of approximately 600 children.

THE NEED

1

ONE caring, responsible adult is needed for each student … to be a mentor, friend, supporter. Without the support and guidance of at least ONE caring, responsible adult, many of these young people will end up in unsafe and unhealthy situations, unseen and unnoticed and often shunned by many around them.

WHAT WE DO

US HOMESTAY PROGRAM for high school students and/or graduates. To date, two groups of 8 students each have been hosted for a 2-week stay by the 1st ARP Church of Gastonia, North Carolina.

ESL classes

MONTHLY FINANCIAL SUPPORT and HOUSING SUPPLIES

ACTIVITIES: camp, cultural events, sports, movies, cooking, crafts, Christmas parties, birthday parties, etc.

MENTORING