Dongdaewon 2012 ... And So We Begin!

Hi!  Welcome to Unity In Action.  It's 2012 and our annual fundraising for Dongdaewon is about to begin.  If you are new to Dongdaewon, click here to see what it is all about.  Briefly, for approximately the past 12 years, SFS has partnered with the Eugene Bell Foundation to fundraise for TB patients in North Korea.  In previous years we have been primarily working with regular TB patients, but Multiple Drug Resistant (MDR) tuberculosis is a growing issue and since 2009 Eugene Bell have exclusively been focusing on the treatment of MDR patients.  More information about this serious health problem will be posted in the days coming.

For now, a quick summary of what you will find in this years blog.  We will endeavour to keep you updated with fundraising efforts in our SFS community and each division.  Ms Carpenter will share some pictures, thoughts and observations from her visit with Eugene Bell last year and we will update you on some of our patients and what is happening with them.  If you are wondering what life is like up North, Ms Carpenter shared some reflections from her trip in 2009 here.  She noticed quite a few changes when visiting in April.

While on sabbatical from SFS last year, Eugene Bell asked me to go with them to North Korea on their Spring visit as the team photographer.  It was my joy and privilege to visit our patients at Dongdaewon.  Many are doing well and wanted to convey their gratitude for your incredible support.  All of them commented on how appreciative they were to you - our school community for giving them a chance at life.


















There are some great fundraisers in the process of being developed.  Take a look at what we have coming up for you.  Many more are coming ... so stay tuned to this space.

Flute Lessons

Have you ever wanted to learn the flute?

Are you a flute player who would like to brush up on your techniques?!

Ms Hartroppe is offering a great deal on flute lessons.  For 140,000 won you can get four 1-hour lessons.  You can contact Ms Hartroppe in the elementary school or by emailing her at miriam.hartroppe at the normal school email.  (Participants must have their own flutes).

Silent Auctions

We have some great silent auctions starting in the next few weeks.  Included in those will be some beautiful handmade quilts (one very similar to the one above, but with burgundy edging) generously donated by an SFS parent.  

Other auctions will include:-

• a fantastic sailing experience on the Han
• a photographic exhibition with all works for sale

Watch this space!!

Slumber Tickets

Here is a great new idea ... sorry, this one is for campus residents only!!

As a service to our families, perhaps you might consider a new-this-year Dongdaewon Fundraiser. Buy an hour, or two, or three for the privilege of sitting in someone’s apartment while their children are sleeping. Do you know parents who might relish the opportunity to go grocery shopping together, or have a chance to eat out, catch a movie, or simply take a walk or visit friends WHILE their children are sleeping? I bet you do! Here is your opportunity to offer them your presence safeguarding their sleeping tots so they can enjoy just such a moment.

Purchase a SLUMBER TICKET and present it to a couple. Include your phone number on the ticket and they call you sometime to arrange for you to sit in their home (when their children are sleeping), so they can escape. 

10,000 for each hour. You determine the gift!

You decide the expiration date.

You decide whom you would like to serve!

You can purchase Slumber tickets from Gail and Greg Neff, Leslie Horne or Colleen James.

Give the Gift of Child Care!

The Annual Dongdaewon T-Shirt is Out!

Yes, it's here.  Mrs Corben has done a stunning job on this year's design and our t-shirts are in a lovely soft dove gray.  Fashion says gray is the new black!  These t-shirts are literally running out the door.  Get yours now.  See your divisional t-shirt rep TODAY!!!


Many more fundraisers are coming ... watch this space and Edline for regular updates ...


Coming Up This Week 
Hearts to Serve!
Yes, we will be sharing at Hearts to Serve Assemblies on the 15th of February.  Look out for us ... wear your t-shirt and show some support.


Dongdaewon Update from North Korea 
- right here on the blog!


Questions and Answers About MDR-TB 
If you have something you really want to know ... drop a comment in the comments box and we will endeavour to answer your questions ...