The Korea Herald

Cyclist to pedal two Americas for charity

He cycled more than 3,000 kilometers on a solo Himalayan biking expedition this summer, but now Brian Perich plans to ride another 32,000 km for two non-profit organizations. The English professor in Gangwon Province, who is originally from Canada, aims to cycle from Alaska to Argentina in three 60-day expeditions over the next two years. The 38-year-old who lives in Gangneung with his Korean wife and their two children plans to ride the first leg from Anchorage in the U.S. state of Alaska, via

Nov. 23, 2011

Cyclist to pedal two Americas for charity

Adoptees raise cash for single moms

Ethnic Koreans adopted in America support unwed mothers’ home hereFor several Korean single mothers, it has already been a godsend ― providing them with a safe place to give birth when turned away from other facilities. But when the country’s only shelter run for unwed mothers by the mothers themselves was threatened with closure, two Korean adoptees living in America launched a campaign to save the safe house in Seoul. The Korean Unwed Mothers and Families Association has run the facility, name

Nov. 23, 2011

Island charity bowls for good causes

A bowling tournament on Korea’s largest island has raised almost 1 million won for good causes. Expat-led fund-raising group Jeju Furey held the tourney with 26 teams of four players on Nov. 19 to raise 967,000 won. Twenty percent of participants were Korean with 75 percent of bowlers taking part in their first ever tournament on the dayJeju Furey was started to help support the children of Nathan Furey, who died while working as an English teacher on Jeju. The group also gives cash to other wor

Nov. 23, 2011

Anti-slavery film screening in Daegu

A documentary exposing the global sex trade is to be screened at a Daegu church on Saturday, Dec. 3. The film “Nefarious: Merchant of Souls” will be shown at Dongshin church in Suseong-Gu at 7 p.m. The film was produced by international anti-trafficking organization Exodus Cry, a movement working to end modern day slavery through prayer and awareness. The non-profit movement also assists the victims of human trafficking and slavery through rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration into society.A

Nov. 23, 2011

Baked goodies for good causes

The Canadian Women’s Club in Korea is to sell home-baked goods to raise cash for two charities next month. The bake sale to benefit Aeranwon and First Steps will be held at the Schofield Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 9. The hall is at the Canadian embassy located closest to Seodaemun and City Hall subway stations. Homemade baked goods including butter tarts, fudge and gingerbread will be sold along with Tim Horton’s coffee and hot chocolate. Canadian maple syrup will also be on sale, as wi

Nov. 23, 2011

Music to raise awareness of N.K. rights

A Christian musician is seeking other artists to join him on an international tour to raise awareness about North Korean human rights.David K. O’Hannah is planning to tour church venues in the U.S. and Europe from early 2012. He has written North Korea-related songs that have been used at rights rallies in Seoul and is releasing an album shortly. He is seeking to contact musicians, sound engineers and crew to support him on all or part of the tour as well as people to help him create an online p

Nov. 23, 2011

Cyclist to pedal two Americas for charity

He cycled more than 3,000 kilometers on a solo Himalayan biking expedition this summer, but now Brian Perich plans to ride another 32,000 km for two non-profit organizations. The English professor in Gangwon-do, who is originally from Canada, aims to cycle from Alaska to Argentina in three 60-day expeditions over the next two years. The 38-year-old who lives in Gangneung with his Korean wife and their two children plans to ride the first leg from Anchorage in the U.S. state of Alaska, via the Ca

Nov. 23, 2011

Korean adoptees raise cash so moms can keep their kids

Ethnic Koreans adopted in America support unwed mothers hereFor several Korean unwed mothers, it has already been a godsend -- providing them with a safe place to give birth when turned away from other facilities. But when the country’s only shelter run for unwed mothers by the mothers themselves was threatened with closure, two Korean adoptees living in America launched a campaign to save the safe house in Seoul. The Korean Unwed Mothers and Families Association has run the facility, named Heat

Nov. 23, 2011

Students’ benefit raises 4 million won

A music night organized by international business students attending university in Seoul has raised more than four million won to help disadvantaged Korean kids. The HELP! 11-11-11 concert saw live acts perform at three Hongdae venues on Friday night to raise cash for SOS Children’s Villages in Korea. The Save our Souls Children’s Villages NGO provides family-based care for abandoned, destitute and orphaned kids.The benefit was organized by students of the Sejong-Syracuse Global MBA Program as p

Nov. 16, 2011

JeongNamJin Group Home gives gifts

The JeongNamJin Group Home in Jangheung county, South Jeolla Province, is accepting Christmas gifts for the children under its care. The home takes care of 11 children aged 9-17 whose parents have died, were abusive or can no longer provide for them. John Wurth, who teaches English in Jangheung, volunteers for the home in his spare time and is organizing a Christmas party for the children. This year, he has made a list of each of the kids the home takes care of and the gifts on their wish lists.

Nov. 16, 2011

One Heart Festival seeks international talent

An international festival is to give people a chance to share cultures from all around the world in Ulsan on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The Ulsan International Volunteer Center is to hold its annual One Heart Festival in the gymnasium at the community center in Ulsan Grand Park from 3-6 p.m.The center is seeking presenters to share their cultures through singing, dancing or any other way they wish, with prizes for the best performances. Last year, people from the area’s Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Vietnam

Nov. 16, 2011

One Heart Festival seeks international talent

Lee Hyo-ri to meet animal lovers

The Korean Animal Welfare Association is to hold a star-studded party for its supporters on Nov. 25. The event at ThinkCoffee in the Jongno area of Seoul will be attended by celebrities including Korean pop-star Lee Hyo-ri. The former Fin.K.L singer turned solo artist has supported several KAWA campaigns to improve living conditions for animals both in Korea and abroad. The animal rights organization will also be holding an awareness day on seal hunting this weekend. Campaigners will be handing

Nov. 16, 2011

Climbers strengthen safety on peaks

A group of dedicated mountaineers is set to improve a Korean mountain for other climbers. Expats from Korea on the Rocks initiatives are teaming up with people from the Korean climbing community to replace aging mountaineering hardware on Munsusan in South Gyeongsan Province. KOTRi founder Bryan Hylenski is to lead the group of volunteers along with Choi Byeong-ho of Ulsan’s Climbing Gym and Choi Jeong-ho of Daegu’s Challenger Gym to repair climbing gear fitted on the rocks this weekend. A mixer

Nov. 16, 2011

Volunteers help N. Korean defectors cross over to new world in the South

This is the second in a two-part series about how PSCORE helps North Korean defectors. See the Sharing page for Nov. 10 for an overview of PSCORE’s services. ― Ed.For many North Koreans the Tumen River, east of Mount Baekdu, is a natural border not only with China, but the rest of the world. Unlike the swift, deep Yalu River to the west, the Tumen is relatively shallow and narrow, making it a preferred means for discontented North Koreans to escape despite the regular patrolling of border guards

Nov. 16, 2011

Volunteers help N. Korean defectors cross over to new world in the South

Walk for disaster awareness

A walk to help people put themselves in disaster victims’ shoes is to be held in a Seoul park this Saturday. The 10 kilometer walk at Seoul Land Park has been organized as part of Mannam’s Global Awareness Campaign. “Although we cannot do a lot in terms of funding due to the nature of our organization, Mannam members want to provide moral support and raise awareness,” a Mannam spokesperson said. “We aim to encourage Korea to wake up and reach out, across borders and cultural constraints, to aid

Nov. 9, 2011

Raising funds with folk music

A folk music night is to raise cash to mark Remembrance Day at a Seoul bar.Proceeds from the fund-raiser at Roofers in Itaewon will be split between Korean, Commonwealth and U.S. charities to support war veterans and orphans. Dutch singer ‘Sterre will perform a folk and jazz set followed by L.A. vocalist Thomas Shim, then folk rockers The Dirty 30s. The gig night is to start at 9 p.m. with a cover charge of 5,000 won.The money raised will be split between U.S. charity, the National Military Fami

Nov. 9, 2011

PSCORE: Uniting Koreans through teaching

This is part one in a two-part series about how PSCORE helps North Korean defectors. Read next week’s Sharing page for a look into the lives of defectors in South Korea. ― Ed.Outside of the Korean Peninsula ― and often within it ― North Korea receives little attention aside from the provocative, sometimes deadly behavior of its government and military. Less thought of are the oppressed people within North Korea and their troubles often remain overlooked even if they make the dangerous journey ou

Nov. 9, 2011

PSCORE: Uniting Koreans through teaching

Walk for awareness

A walk to help people put themselves in disaster victims’ shoes is to be held in a Seoul park this Saturday. The 10 kilometer walk at Seoul Land Park has been organized as part of Mannam’s Global Awareness Campaign. “Although we cannot do a lot in terms of funding due to the nature of our organization, Mannam members want to provide moral support and raise awareness,” a Mannam spokesperson said. “We aim to encourage Korea to wake up and reach out, across borders and cultural constraints, to aid

Nov. 9, 2011

Making Kimchi for Charity

Volunteers from Seoul Global Center are to help make kimchi for charity on Thursday. The event organized by The Korea National Foodbank will be held in the square in front of the Korea Stock Exchange Building near Yeouido Subway Station. The kimchi produced will go to help provide food to the less fortunate this winter. Seoul Global Center volunteers are to help out with preparing and packaging of the kimchi from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. A short musical performance called “Bibap” will be held before

Nov. 9, 2011

Raising funds through folk music

A folk music night is to raise cash to mark Remembrance Day at a Seoul bar.Proceeds from the fund-raiser at Roofers in Itaewon will be split between Korean, Commonwealth and U.S. charities to support war veterans and orphans. Dutch singer ‘Sterre will perform a folk and jazz set followed by L.A. vocalist Thomas Shim, then folk rockers The Dirty 30s. The gig night is to start at 9 p.m. with a cover charge of 5,000 won.The money raised will be split between U.S. charity, the National Military Fami

Nov. 9, 2011