By J.R. Breen
Contributing Writer
For most teenagers in Korea, acceptance into university is payback for years of grueling study.
Not everyone gets to enjoy it, though. For the girls of Sung Bin orphanage, Gwangju, higher education is just a dream. Without financial and family support it is one they cannot have.
But things are changing, thanks to a group of expatriates.
"While they live at Sung Bin, the girls' basic needs are met rather well, but upon graduating from high school the girls are forced to leave and begin supporting themselves," Elton Laclare, treasurer and six-year member of the Sung Bin Volunteers said. "To survive without family support at such a young age is certainly a cause of severe hardship for them."
The Sung Bin Volunteers, as they unofficially call themselves, consists of English teachers and Korean university students. Originally established nine years ago to help the girls at the orphanage -- primarily through free English lessons, the group decided to take their efforts to the next stage.
Although they collect and distribute donations and volunteer at the orphanage, acts that would characterize them as a charity, the Volunteers are not officially registered.
"The bureaucracy related to becoming a charitable foundation is excessive and all but impossible for foreigners to navigate," the Canadian said.
"I can say that we've made almost no meaningful progress in three years of trying."
They began fundraising some three years ago, but admit they lacked direction. Starting this year the Volunteers have decided to help girls graduating from the orphanage with financial aid and material assistance.
"Using donations from Gwangju's community of foreign teachers, we have secured an apartment for one girl in need," Laclare said. "Donations have taken many forms, including money and furnishings.
"We first approached Sung Bin several months ago with the idea of helping girls to secure accommodation and part-time work in order to set them on the path to independence."
Laclare feels that the nature of the cause has encouraged charity.
"Many are eager to contribute to a cause such as this, where the results of a donation are so immediately apparent," he said.
The first recipient, Lee, who requested to be referred to by only her family name, graduated from high school this year.
She will be attending Dongkang University in Gwangju from next month. Lee has been provided with rent-free accommodation for one-year -- fitted with both first and second hand donated furniture.
Although the Volunteers wish to find work for the orphan girls, they say it is extremely difficult because it relies a lot on personal connections.
"Personal connections seem to be very important, and outside the expat community we don't have much of a network," Laclare said. "A local expat business owner with a long connection to Sung Bin Girls' Orphange has agreed to provide part time work to help (Lee) pay bills and start up a savings account.
"In addition to providing a place to live, we are offering mentorship which, we hope, will equip the girls with the life skills needed to survive on their own."
Although the Volunteers are currently only supporting one girl, Laclare says that if the level of donations continues they should be able to support more.
"If this level of enthusiasm and support continues, I see no reason why we couldn't assist two or perhaps three girls each year," he said.
"Our primary interest is in helping the girls' transition to a state of self-sufficiency. Along with a place to stay, we also intend to provide mentoring that prepares them for dealing with the reality of an independent life.
"Gathering the money for an apartment is easy; nurturing independence is where the work really starts."