Expat Living: The Gift of Giving

The Gift of Giving

By Karina Prananto

It is a brand-new year, and for some of us, we plan to start things anew by cleaning up our storage spaces to make room for new stuff; however, we sometimes overlook that there are people who are less fortunate and are not able to have even one new item, let alone a whole room of leftover ones. What we think might be just an ordinary item to someone else can be something they have been longing to have but not have the means to get. While there are ways to turn these unwanted items into an income by selling them second hand, why not give them away and make someone else’s wish come true? There are several places in Gwangju that receive donations, so if this gift of giving interests you, try contacting the organizations listed below.

CHILDREN’S WELFARE CENTERS

Most children’s welfare centers in Gwangju house and nurture children who were abandoned by their guardians or parents due to death, divorce, or separation. Here are some of them: • Aeyukwon 애육원 062-513-0859 http://www.gjw.or.kr/ kjchild/ • Don Bosco Sharing House 광주돈보스코나눔의집 062-524-1207 • Ilmaek Boys’ Home 광주일맥원 062-222-2040 https:// cafe.daum.net/ilmac2040/_rec • MDream 무등육아원 062-222-3762 http://mdkids.org/ • Nazareth House 광주나자렛집 062-954-3009 https:// cafe.daum.net/knazare/_rec • Notre Dame Brothers House 노틀담형제의집 062 651-0788 http://www.gjw.or.kr/hjshome/ • Shinaewon 신애원 062-674-1551 http://www.shinaewon .org/ • Sungbin Girls’ Home 성빈여사 062-234-8278 • Yongjinwon 용진육아원 062-952-8040 https://www. gjw.or.kr/yongjinwon/ • Youngshin 광주영신원 062-234-2163 http://www.gjw. or.kr/youngshin/?gmcode=2 MY HOUSE 우리집 My House (featured in the Gwangju News, February 2019) houses single mothers of children of varying ages. My House: Eodeung-daero 563-beon-gil 30 (Unsu-dong), Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju 광주 광산구 어등대로 563번길 30 (운수동) Telephone: 062-232-1313 Website: http://www.myhouse.or.kr/

RECENT MOTHERS SHARING STORE

광주출산맘나눔가게 The Recent Mothers Sharing Store hands out items for free. Although they mostly accept items for babies and infants, they also accept items for kids of all ages. Call them in advance if you want to donate bulk items. Address: Hwasan-ro 30, Nam-gu, Gwangju (Gwangju Sharing Center No. 105, basement of International Tennis Courts) 광주 남구 화산로 30 (광주공유센터 국제테니스장 지하) Telephone: 062-714-3455

THE BEAUTIFUL STORE

아름다운가게 The Beautiful Store is a nationwide store with five branches in Gwangju (Cheomdan, Yangsan, Gwangju Station, Baekun, and Uncheon). The store receives donations and re-sells them at a very affordable price. They usually only receive small items that customers can easily carry home. The store can also pick up items of certain sizes based on the number of boxes to be donated. Telephone: 1577-1113 Website: www.beautifulstore.org

▲ Gwangju Global Volunteers helping to deliver coal briquettes on November 27.

DURUDORA 두루도라 Durudora receives and shares donations for mostly foreigners and immigrants in Gwangju. They also help create job opportunities by letting foreigners collect and sort the donated items. Telephone: 010-4680-7767 (Kim Chang-sik)

COAL BRIQUETTE DONATIONS VIA “WARM PEOPLE”

Many old-style houses where the elderly live in Gwangju still use coal briquettes to warm their houses in winter. “Warm People” receives donations of coal briquettes from many organizations and individuals and later distribute them to homes around Gwangju. They need volunteers to help deliver the briquettes. Most households need around eight briquettes per day to warm their house. Volunteering to deliver coal briquettes is fun and a good way to get to know the old neighborhoods in Gwangju. To volunteer, contact the sources below. Address: 2F, Sangmu-daero 1224-beon-gil 7, Seo-gu, Gwangju 광주광역시 서구 상무대로 1224번길 7 (2층), 따뜻한사람들 Telephone: 062-522-4020 Website: https://warmpeople.modoo.at/

OTHER WAYS TO DONATE

Opportunities to share are endless. If you enjoy being with other people, all the organizations above would love to have volunteers. Their websites usually have a form that you can fill out to apply for volunteering. If they don’t, you can always give them a call and inquire. Although being able to converse in Korean is an advantage, you can also donate your talents by teaching the children English, music, or art. However, since we are still in the midst of the pandemic, most welfare centers are not accepting volunteers, so you can make regular or onetime monetary donations or sponsor a specific child instead.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND 1. Commitment

If you would like to volunteer your time and talents, try aiming for at least three months of volunteering. The longer the better, as you might have the chance to get to know the people and the children. Leaving after just a couple of weeks will not only create sadness and disappointment, it will also make a minimal long-term impact. So, if you think you cannot make the time commitment, use other means of donating instead.

2. Responsibility and Respect

If you have decided to volunteer, be on time and be available when they call or contact you. Do not ignore calls or be late. Follow the rules of the organization and avoid asking questions about their past.

3. Donate Only Useable Goods

Children will appreciate receiving new items, but if you cannot donate new items, then make sure you donate items in good or like-new condition. Basically, no stained, dirty, or torn items, but also no undergarments, used swim wear, socks, or towels. If you are donating electrical items, make sure they still work well. If possible, you might have to send or deliver the donated goods yourself. Most of the places above have a limited number of hands who can help, so if you can, deliver your items directly.

4. Confirm First

Before going to donate, make sure you give them a call and ask whether they need certain items as donations, and if you are donating to a children welfare center, asking them how old the children are would be helpful. This helps make sure that your donations will be used effectively and immediately.

Photograph by Moon Jaegyeong.

The Author

Karina Prananto is from Indonesia and has been involved with the Gwangju News since 2007. She is a special needs mother who loves Harry Potter, watching vintage Disney movies, and true crime documentaries. www.gwangjunewsgic.com January 2022