Global Community

Musicians Support Cambodian Children’s Painting Program

“Fundraver” promises to be a massive night at Club Ta in Hongdae, Seoul. Musicians and performers are hosting the event to support the Cambodian Children’s Painting Program (CCPP). The night kicks off at 9 p.m. Saturday, with a documentary and short film screening, and music from Marie Conniffe. The bill also includes the spoken word/folk-country rock of the Dharma Club; Solitaire Love Affair’s electronic rock; DJs Pijin, Fast Eddie and Breakaleg; and performance artists. The 10,000 won cover charge entails a free drink, great entertainment and, more importantly, a donation to a good cause. The CCPP is a project that works with underprivileged children in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, and relies on donors, sponsors and volunteers. The program was recognized as an NGO in April 2006 but arose from interest local children showed in Roger Dixon, a professional artist, when he went to paint the beaches of Sihanoukville in the 1990s. He returned the next year with more materials to allow the children to paint too. As Dixon returned year after year, the popular activity e

Is NK Activist Following 1st Protestant Martyr?

By J.R. Breen Contributing Writer Was Robert Park, the American Christian activist, who crossed into North Korea on Christmas Day shouting ``God loves you’’ consciously walking in the footsteps of the first protestant martyr in Korea? When Park entered North Korea, he made it clear he was fully accepting the possible dangers that lay ahead. ``I do not want President Obama to come and pay to get me out,’’ said Park in an interview with Reuters, before his crossing into North Korea. ``Until the concentration camps are liberated, I do not want to come out. If I have to die with them, I will.’’ A British friend of Park’s, who wished to stay anonymous due to the sensitivity of his work with North Korean refugees, has confirmed that Park told him he had been inspired by reading the story of Robert Jermain Thomas, a Welsh protestant missionary killed in Pyongyang. One week before his Christmas Day crossing, Park wrote a letter to the husband of the author of a book about Thomas, Stella Price, saying how he had been ``very moved’’ by the ``amazing biography.’’ Robert

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Teaching the Poor to Fish: a Call for Help

By Young Jin Kim Contributing Writer Choi Jin-young, a volunteer with the organization Gawad Kalinga (GK), once asked a group of mothers how much they were earning through their work making rugs. One replied $2.50 a day, which was barely enough to provide a meal for her family of six. When Choi first heard about GK's goals of building communities by providing shelters, pre-school services, clinics, job training and community activities, she decided to travel to Manila to spend five weeks volunteering with the organization. She soon learned all about GK's mission to increase the dignity and confidence of the poor through a holistic process of transformation. During her stay, Choi visited villages whose colorfully painted houses presented a striking contrast to the slums surrounding them. And certainly, the financial difficulties of GK's clients weren't nearly as rosy as the vibrant colors of the buildings. ``Beneficiaries of GK may now live in better houses, but they are as poor as ever.'' Jessica Yu, a GK volunteer, explained to Choi. ``It is easy to find dono

English-Language Theater Group to Perform in 6 Cities

By Alan Green Contributing Writer Korea's only professional English-language performance company, Latt Children's Theater (LATTCT), has just kicked off its latest tour. Their new production, ``Strange Soup,'' performed in English with some Korean, is an exciting science fiction musical that takes children on an incredible journey through space as the crew of the Spaceship Imagination try to save the planet Earth by making the soup of imagination, Strange Soup. The piece is a recipe book of ``musically rich and eloquent'' stories drawn from ancient Korean and Celtic traditions. Some of these stories are ``endangered tales'' with an unknown future and others have centuries of popularity to give them strength. Together these stories intertwine to illustrate the Strange Soup narrative. The story begins as the Spaceship Imagination takes to the stars. The captain of the ship is a magical woman who makes the soup of imagination. If this soup ever runs dry so too will the imaginations of all the people of the world. The crew of the Spaceship Imagination includes Navee,

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Exploring Seoul’s Buddhist Offerings

By Kim Young-jin Contributing Writer The Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn once wrote, ``We have more possibilities in each moment than we realize.'' For English speakers seeking to unlock the potential of the present moment through Buddhism, Seoul offers a richer variety of possibilities than one might think. Whether you're an experienced practitioner looking for community or your New Year's resolution involves creating more space for contemplation in 2010, the city may have just what you're looking for. Here are three resources to get you started. Hwagye-sa International Zen Center, located at the foot of Mt. Samgak in northern Seoul and accessible from Suyu Station, offers a meditation session and English-language dharma talk on Sundays from 1 p.m. The weekly gathering begins with 30-minute periods of sitting meditation interspersed with walking meditation and short breaks. First-time participants can receive instruction at 12:30 p.m. The Dharma talks begin at 3 p.m. and may be attended independently of the meditation, though the center encourages participants to gai