Thank you!

Wow SFS ... its been another incredible year of fundraising.  You never cease to amaze us.  This year,  we raised an incredible ...

57 million won

Can you see the Dongdaewon committee dancing with delight!

Medicine for patients ... lives saved!  Hope for a new day!  You are awesome ... here is a note from the Dongdaewon Committee to you.

Thankyou parents, teachers and students for all your wonderful efforts with fundraising this year for Dongdaewon.  We made an incredible 57 million won.  On behalf of the Eugene Bell Foundation and SFS Dongdaewon committee, we would like to say a big thank you for bringing HOPE to our patients in North Korea.  Thank you for helping save lives by raising money to buy medicine for tuberculosis.   

Blessings to you:-  

Jo Bigwood and the Dongdaewon committee 

 

Swimathon For Dongdaewon

Monday March 16th

3:30 - 5:00pm

Source: SFS Aquatics Dept.  Photo Credit:  Geoff Odell

Swimmers have been busy collecting sponsorships for this event.  They have a maximum 90 minute period in which they can attempt to swim up to 150 lengths (3.75km) of the SFS pool.

The swim-a-thon is open to all ages, but the student must be able to complete continuous lengths of the pool.  If you are interested, see the swim coaches!

Come and cheer them on in the pool on Monday ... watch them swim their hearts out for our patients!

Eugene Bell Foundation - Making A Vital Difference in North Korea

We partner with the Eugene Bell Foundation (EBF) in the fight against MDR-TB in North Korea.  Our community in partnership with EBF - Unity in Action - has made a powerful difference in the lives of countless families over the past 15 years.  It is a legacy that we at Seoul Foreign School need to be incredibly proud of.

Olivia and Sophia Han in the High School have made an excellent video about TB and the work of Eugene Bell making that difference in North Korea.  Check it out!

Thoughts From High School Student Interns!

Recently Jenny (bottom right) and Emily (bottom left), some of our HS students, interned for the Eugene Bell Foundation.  Eugene Bell is who we partner with in our Dongdaewon fundraising.  They share their experiences below:

From Jenny:
Interning at the Eugene Bell Foundation was a privilege, an opportunity that I would recommend other high school students to try.  During the experience I learned more about how and what the non-government organization does to help cure North Korean tuberculosis patients. Although the Eugene Bell Foundation has doubled the number of treatment centers in the past two years, there are still so many people who have to be turned away from treatment. Most travel hours away from home in hopes to become tuberculosis-free; they choose to take the long journey for life. But to be turned away from a second chance to live solely because of a lack of space in the treatment center is extremely disheartening – and this is the reality of the country. Yet, I can still honestly say that I am hopeful for the future of the people there. While working as an intern at the Eugene Bell Foundation, I learned their ways of giving aid to patients. Their work and effort accumulated over years resulted in one of the highest cure rates in the world. Their relationship built on trust with the government and being able to physically work in the country are indications of the long-term successful efforts of the
organization.

And as I looked through the thousands of pictures taken on the most recent trip of the delegation members, I found myself smiling along with the patients who have graduated from the treatment program and are healthy to go back home. I fell in love with the pictures that captured the vibrant colors of the origami necklaces hung that around their necks and their smiles that covered half their faces. It was then that I realized that through the internship I was witnessing the work of God; He was bringing love into a broken community and giving life through His people.

From Emily:
Before my internship with the Eugene Bell Foundation, I looked at North Korea as a very hopeless nation. It’s so easy to focus on the oppression, to categorize the DPRK as ‘untouchable.’ As an intern at EBF, I learned about how immensely this organization has grown throughout the years, largely due to support from SFS. I have been challenged to shift my previous perceptions about North Korea,
because greater than the medical aid itself, this fundraiser is inspiring hope in a nation that desperately needs it.

I believe that the most powerful form of aid is not in simply giving materialistically to those in need, but in working alongside these individuals and treating them in a way that recognizes their value and abilities. The Eugene Bell Foundation does just that, by recognizing the value of the lives of North Korean tuberculosis patients and utilizing the abilities of the North Korean medical staff through their integral roles at the treatment centers. Eugene Bell’s work is empowering countless lives in the DPRK, and we have the blessing to be a part of that!

My time working with EBF reignited my passion for peace and justice and opened my eyes to look at North Korea in a whole new light. Seoul Foreign School’s involvement with the Eugene Bell Foundation is so much more meaningful to me now. I no longer see hopelessness, but rather the joy on the faces of graduates, cured from tuberculosis. I see trust growing between these two nations in conflict. I see small steps being taken in an effort to bridge the gap between North and South Korea. Yes, these are small steps, but for TB patients fighting for their lives, I can only imagine that to them, this is the biggest miracle. To get another chance at life is beautiful. That is no small feat.  I would encourage anyone involved in ‘Unity in Action’ to look at this fundraiser as more than just another yearly event, but rather an opportunity to love our North Korea neighbors from afar. God is moving in North Korea!

 ‘But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.’ Psalm 33:11

Christina Farley to Visit SFS!

This coming week we are fortunate to have Christina Farley visiting us at SFS.  Christina used to teach at SFS.  Since leaving, she has continued to focus on her writing and is now the published author of two absolutely fabulous young adult books - Gilded and Silvern.  If you haven't read these ... buy them!  They are an exciting series of fantasy novels, set in Seoul.  I can't wait for the third one to release in September.

Christina has a heart for the Korean people and our Dongdaewon patients in particular.  She donates a portion of all her book sales to our Unity In Action fundraising.  Check out her video message and make sure to get reading!  Once you start, you won't want to put it down!

North Korea Trip Update From Mrs Simpson

Mrs Simpson with SFS patient medicine boxes at Dongdaewon, North Korea

Before going to North Korea, it was hard not to have expectations. Despite it being the most closed country on the planet, I had read enough articles, watched enough Ted Talks, and heard enough stories to have a certain picture of what this place was going to be. I expected a barren landscape, a tragic hollow-eyed populace, and an air of oppression and desperation to hang like a thick fog everywhere we went. 

As is true with most situations of expectations vs. reality, some of my experiences upheld the image I had created in my mind and some of what I saw changed my perspective of North Korea.

I found the landscape to be quite beautiful. The rolling hills were carpeted with trees and bushes, fish swam in the rivers and lakes, and, as I was there in April, flower buds were appearing all over the countryside.  

Cars, while not abundant, were present on the streets of Pyongyang. Our “minders” were our constant company but typically quite pleasant in their interactions with us. I expected to be afraid while I was up there but truthfully, I felt safe.

In the same way, the population both confirmed my expectations and surprised me. The hollow eyes that I saw belonged to people who were waiting. They had been sick for a long time, years for most of them. They had taken several rounds of tuberculosis medication only to be told each time what their continually worsening health had already told them. The regular medicine wasn’t working. 

And so these people made the difficult decision to leave their families behind and make their way to one of the Eugene Bell multiple drug resistant tuberculosis clinics to find out if they had MDR-TB and to see if they could be treated there. And so there they sat. Waiting to find out if they had a future.

I also saw eyes full of hope. The eyes of the patients who had successfully completed the 18-month treatment and were finally cured of MDR-TB looked into my eyes as I placed colorful crane necklaces on their necks. 

Tuberculosis had nearly taken everything from them but they were given a new chance at life. They were headed home to see sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and loved ones that they hadn’t seen in months as they stayed at the clinic in an attempt to keep from spreading the disease. And for the first time in literally years, they were actually healthy. Hope shone from their eyes as the reality set in that they had been given a future.

This is why we do what we do.  Every effort, big and small, helps to change a life. It helps to change eyes from hollow to hopeful. It gives people a chance at a future. Thanks for everything that you do to make this difference. Thanks for doing something that matters. 

Silent Auction

Get yourself down to the SFS coffeeshop and check out the silent auction … we have some awesome things up for grabs this year … art, food, quilts … something for everyone.  Bids can be placed in the book under the flat screen TV.

Art:
We have some stunning art pieces, including a fabulous pencil work by Melissa Enderle.  You even have the opportunity for a commissioned portrait - your child ... your pets ... your family - you choose!

Accommodation:

Need a little R and R?!?  Looking for somewhere beautiful to stay in Bali?  Bid on Villa Padi and enjoy an amazing luxury retreat in Bali.  You can check out their website here.

Food
Something for everyone - from a pancake breakfast , to a couple of Swanson brunches (these went lightning fast last year - Patti is a trained chef and her brunches are not to be missed), stunning cakes from the Roddicks … if you are a food lover, we have just the things for you!



Jewellery
We have some fabulous handmade jewellery pieces - come in, check them out and make a bid!

Coffee
Are you addicted to your morning coffee?  Have you seen those nifty little Nespresso machines?  We have one up for auction … but wait!  There's more!  Not only will you get a fabulous Nespresso machine, but also an extra 50 pods to feed it with and a lovely travel mug to enjoy it in!  Get in fast … this one won't last!

Quilts
Quilts have become part of our Dongdaewon tradition - each year for the past few years, we have been incredibly blessed to have donated handmade quilts to auction.  This year, we have several beautiful quilts from two different quilters.  They are stunning - check them out and put in a bid!

So there you have it … lots on offer - all proceeds buy medicine for our TB patients and you get something wonderful in return.  Please come by and support the auction.  We wish to thank our very generous parents, faculty and students for their donations.

In 2013 the Dongdaewon Silent Auction raised 4, 688, 000 won.  Last year we raised a whopping, 7, 399, 000 won.  Please help us beat that record!  Get to the coffee shop and place your bids!

THE AUCTION CLOSES at 3pm MARCH 17TH

Many thanks to all our generous donors.  Without you, this auction would not be possible.

Get Your Shamograms NOW!

2,000 won each

Delivered March 17th - St Patrick's Day!

On sale: Now – March 10

(Chocolate generously donated by:  Nestle' Korea)



Click the play button above for a special message direct from our Leprechaun!

What is a Sham O’ Gram?  An Irish message of luck and love! The Sham O’ Gram includes a delicious chocolate treat and a personalized message from YOU!

Why should I send one?  To spread ‘Luck O’ the Irish’ and raise money to buy medicine to save the lives of patients in the SFS sponsored TB Care Center in Dongdaewon, North Korea.  

To whom should I send one?  Anyone at SFS! Family, brothers, sisters, friends, teachers, staff …….

How do I order?  Please use the green coupons (brought home by BS, ES, MS, NIK and DCC students; available from homeroom teachers in the HS).  Fill in the blanks for "to", "from", "class", and circle which division (MS use advisory and HS use homeroom class).  Parents, please help younger children write clearly so that we can read it!

Please cut each out each coupon - the leprechauns are too busy to do this!

Place completed Sham o' grams (with 2000 won for each coupon) into an envelope (feel free to reuse/recycle old envelopes) and send to school with your child by March 10th.  Please address envelopes to:

BS:  Mrs Gray      ES: Mrs Neff     MS:  Ms Root     HS:  Ms. Drummond     

NIK:  Mrs Myong      DCC (Day Care Centre) - Mrs Han

NB:  You can get extra coupons from your child's class teacher or the divisional secretaries, so please do not make your own.

Thank you!

Go on … save a life!

Dongdaewon 2015 Has Begun!

Welcome to Dongdaewon 2015!  This week is the official launch of our fundraising period, which lasts until Spring break.  We are already off to an amazing start with the return of the faculty pantomime which played two sell-out shows and raised just over 6.5 million won!

Today at Hearts to Serve we showed the students our Dongdaewon video.

Dongdaewon 2015 from Sarah Carpenter on Vimeo.

Our theme this year is HOPE.  Ms Bigwood, along with Grade 5 helpers and Mrs Simpson talked with the students about how the many different things they do to fundraise turns into medicine, which saves lives.  Their service and the resulting medicine provide a huge gift of hope to our patients in the North.  Never underestimate the power of hope ... it can change the world.

There will be a lot happening over the next few weeks.  We have tshirts on sale in all divisions, ES and BS are planning their fairs, a swimathon is in process, an amazing silent auction is coming.  We will also have patient updates, a North Korea trip report from Mrs Simpson (she was our staff representative on the Eugene Bell delegation to North Korea last April).  Check back here each week to see what is happening.  For now ... on with the dance!

The Faculty Pantomime is Back!

Panto Update!
Words are inadequate to describe our gratitude for your amazing support of the faculty pantomime.  From those who gave up their time to participate and help out, to our amazing parents who cooked us beautiful Indian food for the staff, to all of you that came to enjoy the fun.  We had two sellout shows!  Even more amazing was that between ticket donations and concession sales, we raised a grand total of 6,595,000 won - thats enough to support several patients for their treatment.  Wow ... thank you so much SFS community.  You are truly amazing.

Hi everyone

Just a few short weeks to go until we kick off our 2015 fundraising campaign.  However, we get one early, exciting event this year:- the faculty pantomime is back!

Pantomime has a long tradition at SFS - it has been around as long as our partnership with Eugene Bell (about 15 years) and has always been linked to fundraising for our TB patients.  It has been on Hiatus for a few years, but tonight, we are thrilled to be presenting a sell-out show:  "Once Upon A Time" in Robb Hall.  Its a fabulous show, full of the typical pantomime shennagins!  If you haven't got your tickets yet, there are still a few left for tomorrow's performance, but not many.

Traditionally, we cast the show before Christmas and then faculty get two weeks to rehearse it and bring it all together, before presenting to you, our community!  This year, staff have had three weeks!

We hope you enjoy the show.

If you want to know a little more about Dongdaewon and commonly asked questions/concerns, feel free to click here.

Check back here in the middle of February to keep up to date with what is happening once our fundaising kicks off!  We will have patient updates, a trip report from Mrs Simpson, and much, MUCH more.  Don't forget that as part of our fundraising, we offer a wonderful variety of classes for anyone, and an excellent silent auction.  If you are interested in donating items or skills for classes, let us know!