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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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ajuma
Joined: 18 Feb 2003
Location: Anywere but Seoul!!
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 Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 5:46 am Post subject: |
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This is a really gray area. I've heard (3rd and 4th hand) of people being deported for it, but most people I know who have done it (and this includes orphanages AND churches) haven't had a problem.
Speaking of churches (and I don't want to derail this thread, but I'm curious!) what kind of visa to the Mormon missionaries come on? Tourist? |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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kimchikowboy
Joined: 24 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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Alas its 4.30 am and i'm in a PC Bang it the armpit of Korea, I mean Itaewon....
No chance I'm gonna be in any fit state to be dealing with kids tomorrow, at least not in the morning. |
Before you decide to volunteer time at an orphanage, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be sure that you are willing to follow through on your commitment.
I volunteered for about a year and a half, and for about a year or so I was the contact person for placing foreigners in orphanages in my city through an organization here that does that (I won't name names, but most of you probably know it). I got the job through default; the person who was supposed to be doing it before me had disappeared without notice, and there was no one else here with contacts to the organization, so I was asked to do it.
During that time, occasionally I would get a request for placement forwarded from the main organization's website. I would send an e-mail asking for more information: for example, where do you live, what do you want to do exactly, what age groups do you want to work with, etc. Usually, there would be no response. One individual, however, was adament about his desire to volunteer. However, he lived in a neighboring city. After many phone calls finding a place for him and setting up times for him to visit, he quit after one visit. He said it just wasn't his cup of tea. Other volunteers showed up drunk or didn't show up for scheduled classes without notice. One guy wanted to teach guitar. The orphanage bought three guitars, screened students and set up a schedule. The first class went great, and the kids were really excited. When he didn't show up for the second class, we called him. He was at the beach with his girlfriend, and wasn't sure he could make any more classes.
Personnel at these places have much more valuable uses for their time and money than coddling white wannabe-do-gooder deadbeats. So if you are really not going to commit your time, please just cut a check (I worked for a place sponsored by the Salvation Army, and they did FANTASTIC work).
That said, if you are willing to commit the time, it can be a very rewarding experience. I drew volunteers from my university classes to come with me, and they, too, gained a lot from the experience.
A final benefit (perhaps that should be left unmentioned) is that I found, "Could you help me pick out Christmas presents for my students at the orphanage" to be the best pick-up line in the history of mankind. Ask my wife if you don't believe me  .
Good luck, and again, please consider carefully before you commit. It is unfair to the kids if you come into their lives and then disappear a couple of weeks later. They have had enough of that already. Except for a move by my department, I would probably still be doing it (though without the added responsibilities of placing other foreigners -- and they have someone much better than I was now, anyway).
As for the visa thing, the only stories I've heard were probably apocryphal, and on this board. The person running the volunteer program has been doing so openly and for several years, without being deported. Their website contains testimonials from others volunteering without problems. It was pointed out to me (and take this with a grain of salt) that if you are caught doing privates, you could use your prphanage work to gain a bit of leverage and sympathy ("Before you deport me, could you let me go by the orphanage and say goodbye to the children?) That is not my sentiment, just passing it on.
I think the logic behind the law is the same as that of giving away booze in dry counties in the US. It is technically illegal to sell alcohol in some places in the US (dry counties). It is also illegal to give it away, the logic being that bootleggers could say, " I didn't sell it, I gave it to him." Here, you could try to get out of being pinched for privates by saying, "I'm just doing a favor for a friend. They're not paying me." So you have the law against volunteering.
Just a thought. |
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blunder1983
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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Well its a bit different at the place I'm at, there is no "signing up" perse its turn up and muck in.
I wasnt expected on Saturday so I didnt let anybody down. I'm fully aware that this a commitment rather than something which I can just drop when the novelty wears off, and I'd like to do something constructive with some of my time here, so I'm sticking to it. |
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tomato
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: I get so little foreign language experience, I must be in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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A good legal strategy is to spend the time teaching the kids something besides English.
That way, you can argue that you're not competing with any English hagweons.
After teaching English for five days a week, I'd rather spend the time doing else anyway, wouldn't you? |
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Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:03 am Post subject: |
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| Nothing brings tears to my eyes like my son running towards me with his arms wide open, ready for a big hug. I don't know if I could deal with a dozen kids in need of love and attention doing that to me because they don't have a daddy to hug. |
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freebeerandchicken
Joined: 02 May 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 7:01 am Post subject: |
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| blunder1983 wrote: |
Well I visited the place today.
First up "teaching" is not what you'd be doing. Assisting the ajumma's looking after the kids is what its all about.
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Well thats reassuring.. I was gonna say, I don't know if taking up a new foreign language is among the top priorities of a poverty-stricken Korean kid living in an orphanage.
edit: ok ok, i followed the link above and saw the pictures... the kids aren't poverty stricken. |
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taobenli
Joined: 26 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 12:56 am Post subject: |
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I'm planning on going to volunteer at Hwasung tomorrow...but I'm worried about this since I'll be leaving Seoul on Aug. 25th. I can come in at least a couple of times a week until then, but it still won't be that many times. As long as I explain this to the orphanage director is this okay? Or is too short a time damaging and better not to go at all?
taobenli |
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blunder1983
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 1:18 am Post subject: |
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THey have loads of helpers, lots who come up once and never return. I'm unable to go this weekend as my bank balance is low and i cant justify a trip into seoul, but I'm going in during the week, so its not too bad.
Just go in and have fun! The kids will just be pleased to see u!
Oh and english comprehension might be a problem, I dunno who is there tomorrow.
Good luck! |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 1:25 am Post subject: |
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Can no one link to a site that says this is legal?
Seriously, i have no doubt it is a good cause, but English or not, i'd be willing to guess it is illegal. |
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Swiss James
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 1:57 am Post subject: |
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| Kimchikowboy's post should be compulsory reading for anyone thinking of volunteering. Wise words |
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