Though I’m sure that the reasons for children ending up in an orphanage are all across the board in all different countries. I would never say that in more culturally…..open minded countries that children don’t end up in orphanages unless something terrible happens to their family. After working at the Children’s Home, I know this is definitely not true.
I have often wondered how it is possible that there are no, or at least there doesn’t seem to be–any single mothers in Korea. Koreans generally like to say that they do not have sex out of wedlock, or one night stands, but one look around–at the love motels on every corner–you would quickly figure out that it isn’t true. Additionally, I have heard that the use of contraceptives is far less then in the United States. So the question is, if people are having sex, not using protection….how are they so ?lucky??
This question was answered for me on saturday, after spending the day volunteering at the Emmanuel Children’s Orphanage in Gimcheon. The day was obviously rewarding, and interesting all the same. It is always nice to spend a day not thinking about yourself, acting like a child, and just spending time with kids that don’t have a lot. Many of my students asked me how its possible to work at an orphanage here when I don’t speak Korean. After spending 5 minutes with the kids at the orphanage, you will understand that the fact that you are caring, and generally interested in the children there can cross any language barriers. It was easy to play, hug, and entertain the children without words.
One of the most surprising things was that we found children walking around the carnivals with parents. Which was confusing obviously—if they are in an orphanage, why do they have parents, or vice versa? When I asked one of the seasoned veterans of the orphanage, they explained to me that most of these kids had parents. Their moms visited them almost once a week, but had brought them to the orphanage after a divorce, so that they could get remarried. Their new husbands knew nothing about their past children, and never will. If they knew that they children weren’t part of their bloodline, they wouldn’t accept them. So the women drop them off at the orphanage, and secretly visit them. I asked if that meant that the kids would never be adopted, because their moms’ never actually give up rights to them she said yes…they can’t be adopted, but will grow up in the orphanage having their mom visit them when they can.
The kids seemed to have fun and had many people around them that loved for them, and cared for them… but that is one of the hardest cultural differences for me to accept… I’m pretty sure I won’t.
On a lighter note–it was nice to spend time with the children at the orphanage, and be reminded of what it’s like to play with kids, when they aren’t your students 
(not that I don’t love my students).
this post should be printed out and put on every school in london