And That's A Wrap!

That's it!  Dongdaewon is over for another year.  Thanks once again for your incredible support.
Here is a message from this year's Dongdaewon chair, Jo Thies:

What an honor it has been to work with so many caring, talented and generous individuals here at Seoul Foreign School and the greater community.  Our "official" efforts to help raise funds for Eugene Bell Foundation and the patients who suffer from Multiple Drug Resistant Tuberculosis has come to a close.  Most of the money raised has been collected, but funds are still trickling in as Silent Auction items are being delivered, and that envelope that was misplaced on a messy desk is turned in.  At this moment, our community has raised 49 Million Korean Won, inching closer to 50 Million.  These funds are used to purchase much needed medicine and medicine only. 

I would like to thank students, parents and staff for all their efforts in helping save lives.  It is overwhelming, all that is needed to reach the mark of 50 Million.  It takes a lot of song and dance, candy bars, t-shirts, kids in swim suits, pizza, carnival games, and administrative approval.  My prayer is that with all the smiles and love and laughter that was had here, will travel with the cranes to the patients that receive the gift of health. 

On behalf of the Tuberculosis Patients in Dongdaewon,

Thank you 

Jo Thies 

2016 

Dongdaewon Chair 

As we go to post, the Eugene Bell Team has just arrived in North Korea to deliver medicine and checkup on the patients.  Keep your thoughts and prayers with them ...

Until next year ...

Peace to you all.

Common Questions Asked About Dongdaewon

How do we know the North Koreans don't misuse the money?

Eugene Bell send NO money to North Korea.  The money raised buys medicine.  Each patient has sputum samples taken to find out which drugs they are resistant to.  A drug program is then tailor made for that specific patient, giving them the drugs that they will best respond to.

How do we know that the patients get their medicine?

Dr Seung and Dr Linton checking off medication supplies

Eugene Bell run a strict monitoring program and insist on visiting each centre that they work with.  They look at all patient records.  Each centre gets a list of the supplies coming and all supplies are checked.  Each patient knows what they should get as well.  Each patient is tested every six months - if they do not take their medicine, they will not get well.  Additionally, each patient is photographed which helps identify patients and provides a visual record of how they are doing.  The fact that patients are graduating from the MDR program, cured of TB shows that they are getting their medicine.

Why don't we send clothing and other supplies?

There are limits to what things can go into North Korea.  The North Koreans can get clothing. However, medicine is in extremely short supply and this is what there is a desperate need for.

Why don't we treat regular TB patients when they are so much cheaper 

and we could help more people?

Since 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) has committed to providing DOTs meds for North Korea.  MDR is a growing concern.  The WHO have a plan to pick up 50 MDR patients over a five year period.  Eugene Bell currently have over 500 MDR patients on their books, with many more people desperate for treatment.  This is currently where the need is greatest.

Aren't We Violating UN Sanctions and going against the SK Government helping North Korea?

UN Sanctions have a carve out for humanitarian causes.  In recent sanctions imposed, the UN stated 

the new measures are not intended to have "adverse humanitarian consequences" for civilians, the majority of whom face economic hardships and food shortages.

Ceasing support of medicine for our TB patients at Dongdaewon would directly counter the intent of the UN resolution, as it would have adverse humanitarian consequences for civilians.  Currently the UN is spending a little over 100 million annually on humanitarian aid (South Korean UN Ambassador Oh Joon), including releasing an additional 8 million just last month (UNOCHA, 2016).

EBF work closely with the South Korean government (who issue their export permits for the medicine) and the North Korean Ministry of Health to make their program happen. 

Eugene Bell have enough money.  Why do we still support them?

At every center Eugene Bell visits, people appear out of nowhere, desperate to get on a MDR treatment program because they have failed DOTs treatment multiple times.  For every patient that EB accepts, they have to guarantee coverage of medicine for the life of treatment, which takes around 18 months.   This can cost around $USD5000 per patient.  It is heartbreaking to have to take some patients and leave others because there are not the resources to provide for medication.  MDR continues to grow and EB is one of the few organizations successfully working with this problem in North Korea.  The more resources they have, the more patients that can be treated.  Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing to leave a clinic knowing that you could help all those who needed it?!  

Music For Medicine

The talented musicians in KS3 and MS are hosting their annual "Music For Medicine" concert March 23rd at 3.30pm.  Don't miss the chance to hear some incredible young musicians play - this concert is always a treat!

Live on the MainStage - We Will Rock You!

"Inner Souls" is hosting a family- friendly concert as the rock band, Queen!  Come and listen to Queen's greatest hits LIVE in concert.  Hear Mr Ryan Kuhl (MS) on vocals as Freddie Mercury, Mr. Paul Sanderson (ES) on lead guitar as Brian May, Mrs. Ruth Sanderson (HS) on bass guitar as John Deacon and Mr. John Black (SW) on drums as Roger Taylor.

Tickets are 10, 000 won and are available from sectional offices or from members of the band.  All money raised will go towards the Dongdaewon TB clinic fund.

Check Out The Silent Auction

This year we have some absolute TREASURES in the silent auction!  Stop by and take a look in the coffee shop.  There is something for everyone.  And remember ... there are only 286 shopping days left until Christmas!!

Art

As always, we have some fantastic pieces of art (not very well photographed - apologies for the cafeteria light reflection).

Textiles

We have some stunning textiles this year.  Again we have some beautiful quilts on offer from the James family, some gorgeous hand made Fair Trade artisan Ethiopian textiles, and some absolutely awesome cozy up-cycled mittens made by MS Art Teacher Jo Thies.

Food

Food items are always a huge hit!  We have many offerings ... check them out!

Several different Roddick cakes (if you have not had one you haven't lived!) are up for bidding.

The Swanson brunches are always hotly sought after and this year, Dale is also offering his famous Swedish cardamon bread!  This author can vouch for its goodness!  They are also offering a fun evening of dips and sips.

For the coffee lovers, we have some hand delivered delicious Ethiopian coffee bought by former staff member Sara Schmidt, who is visiting from Ethiopia this week.

There are pancake breakfasts on offer as well ... get in there and get a bid in!

A handmade silver Ethiopian Cross

There are other wonderful treasures to be had as well, including jewelry, bamboo bowls, and some great services.  Stop by, check it out and place a bid!

Bidding closes 21st of March at 3pm.

Spring 2015 North Korea Trip Report - Jo Bigwood

I had the privilege of going up to North Korea as the representative from Seoul Foreign School, with the Eugene Bell Foundation. Each year, our school has the opportunity to fundraise as part of our service component at school but also because it has been a long part of the history of SFS for North Korea. And of course they are our neighbors and for some -  our family. 

Since arriving at SFS, I have been part of the annual fundraising drive, selling t.shirts, food, participating in the fair, cooking schools, photography classes, swimathons, pantomimes, silent auctions, you name it we do it. Each year is different and apparently so are the biannual trips to North Korea, according to Father Gerard Hammond (a Catholic Priest, living in Korea and a regular delegate for Eugene Bell).

Each trip - although it has a fairly similar format,  a team (my case 15) meet for the first time at Gimpo, fly to Beijing. Overnights in Beijing whilst visas are processed, off to Pyongyang the next day hopefully with all 40 + bags intact and onboard. Arrive at hotel, meet hosts, rise the next day to check medicine has arrived by shipment, pack trucks and then the next 2 - 3 weeks are similar with visits off to each of the 12 clinics that Eugene Bell support, some as far as 4 - 5 hours away by van some 30 mins - 1 hr, admit new patients, weigh and track existing  patients and graduate patients after 18 months. Same routine but different, new faces, missing faces, healthier faces, graduating faces.

But for me, being my first time, everything was new. There were a lot of wow moments and connections which are not always easy to put into words … here are a couple of takeaways.

Small fish in a big pond …

I went with a certain amount of pride. I knew we worked hard every year to raise funds for the Eugene Bell foundation to purchase medicine and the fact that a person from SFS was able to go each year, made me think we were big fish. We contribute a lot ($55,000 - 70,000 annually, we must be one of their bigger donors). I hate to burst your bubble but NO, we are in fact a very small donor group. It costs $3 - 4 million US dollars to send up medicine twice a year.  We are small fish but in the bible ...

 Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of broken pieces that were left over. 

It’s not about how big or small the offering is, it is about the heart behind it. He will multiply what needs to be multiplied and we are a part of that. So we need to keep doing what we are doing and he will take care of the rest. We are one of the few donors that is made up mainly of a school community here in Seoul. I was humbled and felt honored, that we at SFS, can not only partner with Eugene Bell but that there is a space carved out for one of our SFS teachers to go each year. What a privilege. 

Ms Bigwood with some of our SFS graduating patients!  

Each year I watched the inspiring and heartfelt videos created by Sarah Carpenter and each year I would cry a little, and think I am doing my small part. I knew we were being agents of change, by bringing life through the medicine (if you haven’t watched any of the videos, check them out on this blog). I saw through the videos,  the patients we supported, I saw the places, I saw what life might be like but until you have been I am not sure you really SEE. I got to SEE lives, young and old, poor and rich. I got to SEE lives changed, young and old, poor and rich.  I got to SEE lives living! I got to SEE where all our hard work fundraising goes.  I got to SEE HOPE. And that was life changing and life living!

Was it hard work?- Yes!  Was it sad? - Yes. But through it all I got to see that here at SFS we are life changers. I realize that not all of us can go and SEE what life we are bringing through the medicine to the people in North Korea but hopefully through the eyes of some of our teachers that go, you will SEE that you bring: LIFE and HOPE.  Thank you for all that you do to help save a life. Keep going because there are people across the border that know you and thank you.

Paper crane garlands, made by SFS students, ready for patient graduation!

ES Fair Update

Marketing their wares ...

A stroll over to the elementary school on Friday afternoon revealed an excited buzz in the building and a hot bed of student activity on all floors.  Student stalls were in full swing with eager store keepers selling their wares ... students (and teachers) trying their luck at various games ... parents helping out and people buying up a storm!

Fifth graders react as Mrs Hoskin knocks out cans in a game of skill!

The Dongdaewon fairs have been running for a few years now.  Originally conceived by the British School, they are an amazing experience for our students, as much of the activity is student driven.  Students conceive ideas, work on their stalls, organise shifts and get to shop up a storm!  It's a perfect afternoon for a great cause!

The tattoo bar is always a huge hit!

This year, the ES fair raised an incredible 7, 046, 390 won!  WOW.  This is an amazing effort ... and the incredible thing is that an afternoon of fun saves patient lives.  Thanks to all who helped support this years fair.  The British School fair is coming up on Tuesday 8th of March.  Check it out!

ES Students enjoying some of the treats on sale ...

Dongdaewon Swim Meet A Huge Success!

3 schools ...

120 swimmers ...

1, 5080, 000 raised.

AMAZING!

Recently our swim staff hosted a swim meet for Dongdaewon.    It was open to other schools and swimmers from YISS, GSIS and SFS attended.  Thanks to our wonderful volunteers and aquatics staff - you are changing lives!

Faculty Panto A Roaring Success!

Robb Hall was filled was laughter and shouts of "behind you!" last weekend.  Last year's Panto played to 2 sold out shows, so this year faculty increased it to three.

We are thrilled to announce that with the massive support of the SFS community we raised over 9,000,000 won.  Thats medicine for multiple patients!  Thank you so much!

Special thanks to our cast (consisting of faculty and campus kids) who met for 3 intense weeks to rehearse and bring the show to our community.  Jo Bigwood was our capable producer and a huge thanks must go to her, Marion Statton (who was amazing with our props and costumes) and the many other volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this happen.

The story was special this year as one of our ex SFS parents created the script.  Thanks so much to Laleitha Shivaswamy for your hard work and generosity.  This could not have happened without you.

Shammograms on sale now!

2,000 won each

Delivered March 17th - St Patrick's Day!

On sale: Now – March 07
(Supported 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 section (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 07th.  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 sectional secretaries, so please do not make your own.

Thank you!

Go on … save a life!

Meet One Of Our Dongdaewon Caregivers

I am always in awe of our patient caregivers.  They put their own lives at risk of MDR-TB in order to help patients.  They have many reasons for what they do (I met a nurse who was an ex-patient and wanted to make a difference in the lives of others struggling), and they are all dedicated.  The most recent Eugene Bell Fall report included an interview with one of the caregivers at Dongdaewon clinic.  We thought you might like to meet her.

Dongdaewon Swim Meet

Swim for Dongdaewon is an invitational hosted by SFS which also serves as a fundraiser for Dongdaewon, a tuberculosis center in North Korea. Proceeds from the entry fees for the meet will be donated to the Eugene Bell Foundation which operates supplies the Dongdaewon clinic for treating patients living with tuberculosis.

Not only is this a great chance to get some official pre-season times to help with your goal setting, but you will also have the opportunity to take away this awesome swim cap!

Date:                   Saturday, February 27, 2015

Age Groups:       8 & Under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18

Entry Restrictions: Maximum of 6 individual events  (NO RELAYS) 

Entry Deadline: Wednesday, February 24 at 4:59 p.m. 

Entry Fees: 20,000 KRW flat fee 

Please note: All swimmers entered in the meet by the entry deadline are required to pay the entry fee. No-shows will still be responsible for entry fees. 

SFS Entries: Must make payment to pool office by entry deadline to be entered in the meet. 

Visiting Team Entries: Payment will be due upon arrival of the meet. 

Awards: Awards will be distributed 1st- 6th place, but no high point award will be given.

Sessions: The meet will consist of two sessions:

Session 1 

Warm-ups will begin at 8:30am

Meet will begin at 9:30am 

Break: 12:00 - 1:00pm 

Session 2

Open Warm-up will be from 12:30-1:20

Session 2 starts at 1:30pm 

Fall 2015 NK Visit Report - Jo Thies

NIne Priests, two doctors, one doctor’s wife and one art teacher go to North Korea. Sounds like the beginning of a joke, but it is no joke.  It is the beginning of a journey like no other. Prior to my departure, my nerves were like that of exposed wires. The thought of where I was about to go and what I was about to do, sent sparks of electricity through my soul.. The idea of going to North Korea and visit the TB clinics had been on my heart since my first year at Seoul Foreign School, six years ago. But it had just been on the surface, now it was really sinking in, and I was terrified.

My first impression of North Korea was gray. I guess that is the art teacher in me, assigning a color to an event. A color that drastically contrasted with my emotions. I was overwhelmed. The color of overwhelmed would be all the colors, but on a spin painter, spinning out of control.

Why was North Korea so gray and overwhelming?  Perhaps it was the four hour, bumpy, and mean bumpy van ride out into the countryside that began at 4:30 AM. Perhaps it was because of my first world luxurious of many morning cups of coffee and access to wayside rests had been denied. Perhaps it was the armed soldiers at the city limits of Pyongyang. Perhaps it was the piles of coal all along the roadside or the lines of people walking, riding bikes or guiding an animal. Where were they going? All this before the sun had even started to crest on the horizon. Gray and overwhelming at the same time. 

As we arrived at the clinic, two hundred people were waiting for us. They sat on rows of benches, all facing one direction, as if waiting to be entertained. Faces gray with illness. Even with the chill of the October air, cheeks were not even the slightest bit pink. They watched as we unloaded our vans with generators, scales, plastic vials, rubber gloves, masks, and most importantly, medicine. They weren’t waiting to be entertained, they were hoping to be cured of the Tuberculosis that was invading their lungs. The drill was the same at every clinic. Wait for your name to be called. Be weighed, measured, photographed, cough up a bit phlegm and then wait some more. Wait again for your name to be called. These people already knew they had TB. They were waiting to be offered one more chance to be healed. So many people. So many faces. Young and old. Men so weak, that their wives have to carry them on their backs. Others so weak that they could only walk a few steps and then have to squat to rest. I asked God to help me focus. To help me not be overwhelmed,  to give me my game face. I am one of those people that can be brought to tears over a dog food commercial. I needed some big time distraction. There she was. In the sea of gray, was the girl in the red sweater. She was wearing the color of strength and determination that was needed to be healed. She was wearing the color love. It was my job to love her and pray for her. I prayed for her all day and still do.

As my time in North Korea continued, the gray slowly starting to slip away. As I started to study the faces of the patients, I started to see other colors. Bright colors reflected in patient's faces who were being weighed and measured and photographed because they no longer needed medicine. They had been cured of Multiple Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.

For six years, I had been folding paper cranes alongside my students at Seoul Foreign School. I had been told that when a patient is cured of MDR, there is a graduation. Each patient is offered a garland of colorful paper cranes. The paper crane is a symbol of hope and healing during challenging times and also of peace. The perfect symbol in this situation, at this place and time. At the end of the day, as names were being called, all were being offered  the hope of being cured. Some were just beginning the journey, others were about to embark on another journey. A journey of health and hope. It was as if someone was adjusting the color saturation. Some of patients where just a tint of color, while others reflected the full spectrum of hope. I felt privileged to bestow these garland of colorful cranes on individuals who had endured the eighteen months of treatment. Eighteen months of being away from family, suffering debilitating side effects, and the “what if” this medicine does not provide a cure.  Dongdaewon is just one clinic of many that Eugene Bell provides medicine for. Seoul Foreign School provides medicine for just some of the patients there.The people at these clinics are the bravest and strongest people I have ever met. I feel honored to have met them and witness a small part of their journey.

Here We Go Again ... Dongdaewon 2016 is LIVE!

Welcome everyone

Today is our official kick off for Dongdaewon and we are off with a roar.

Here is the video from the Hearts To Serve assembly today.  Watch and see that YOU make a difference.


Dongdaewon 2016 from Sarah Carpenter on Vimeo.

Don't forget the Panto this weekend.  All the information you could want to know is here.

Thanks for all you do ... our patients truely appreciate it.

Back By Popular Demand - The Faculty Panto

This weekend we have an amazing opportunity for quality family entertainment.  You won't want to miss this.  Last year tickets sold out so get yours now!  They can be purchased in each section or at the door if they haven't sold out.