There are many reasons that children — no matter their background — deserve respect and encouragement as they grow.
But when it comes to kids from impoverished households or children who are orphaned, it is especially important to show them respect and encouragement. For these children — like the ones who live at the So Jun Children’s Home in South Korea— having adults motivate them and treat them with dignity helps their self-esteem and provides them with the drive they need to achieve their goals.
Thanks to their Children Incorporated sponsors, children in our program receive basic needs throughout the year.
So Jun Children’s Home
Located in the South Korean province of Jeollanam, the So Jun Children’s Home cares for children from ages 5 to 19 years old. The facility itself is made up of a complex of brick buildings —35 classrooms in total — with a kitchen, dining room and auditorium. The grounds include a playground and a large garden.
During the school year, children attend local public schools. After school, they participate in a variety of daily, assigned chores. They help raise ducks, chickens, doves and geese on the property. For recreation, the children play popular sports such as volleyball, soccer and baseball.
Thanks to their Children Incorporated sponsors, children in our program receive basic needs throughout the year. According to our Director of International Programs, Luis Bourdet, sponsorship support also helps sponsored kids to feel respected and encouraged.
“When — thanks to their sponsors — they receive food, clothing and school supplies the children know that someone cares about them and they feel better about themselves,” said Luis.
“Along with the encouragement and respect the administrators show them while living at the home, the children at the So Jun Children’s Home are well taken care of.”
Helping kids develop
Why are respect and encouragement so crucial for children in need? Because respect helps build a feeling of trust, safety and well-being — feelings kids might not otherwise have in their home environment or have ever had in their lives.
When children are shown respect, they learn how to treat others with respect. Kids who are encouraged to be confident in their abilities will find that their efforts can result in achievement — and that is a valuable step in helping them break the cycle of poverty.
How do I sponsor a child in South Korea?
You can sponsor a child in South Korea in one of three ways: call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members; email us at firstname.lastname@example.org; or go online to our sponsorship portal, create an account, and search for a child in South Korea that is available for sponsorship.