2010년 10월 28일 목요일

Experience Program for Equal Partnership in Future Marital Life of College Students

Only Women are Responsible for Housework?


On August 21st, the Experience Program for Equal Partnership in Future Marital Life of College Students was provided by Seoul YWCA as part of its effort to make a society that job can be compatible with housework. This program is to let participants know how difficult it could be compatible between job and housework and give them opportunity to think about what is equal partnership in marital life.


At first session, Lee Youngja, a guest lecturer, told about gender equality under the title of "Our Home". Before the lecture, participants enjoyed a variety of recreation activities and watched several movies relating gender equality including 'At Her House'. Then, Lee asked for participants' opinions about how they should understand and consider each other in marriage and what they would do if they were in the shoes of person in the movies. One participant said, "I am going to work after graduation. But if I were forced retirement because I was pregnant like the woman in the movie, I would not know what to do. Besides, even if I could work after giving birth, who could care for my baby instead of me?" "Like a couple in the movie, I remember my parent used to fight with each other because of doing housework. I think every wife need to be respected as a individual human being by her husband. They showed hope and blueprint on equal partnership between husband and wife.


Following Lee's lecture, Jin Sungil, who is writing a series of baby book on a webzine called 'Online If', told them his real experience. With his wife and son, he came to tell his know-how on caring for baby and doing housework together with his wife. He said, "Most husbands say they can fully understand about wives' difficulty in doing housekeeping and bringing up their baby. But child-caring and housework are not about understanding but doing. As we have to cook by ourselves to learn how to cook, we have to do housework and care for children by ourselves to fully understand how tough they are."


After all lectures ended, participants gave their thoughts about the gender equality. "Actually, I thought negatively about gender equality and women's organizations before. But I could broaden my view of gender issues after taking this program." "It was really good chance to think again about marriage and child care, which I am going to go through." Through this program, all participants will be able to respect spouse's opinion in their future marriage and make a society where housework and job can be compatible.

Knock! Knock! Seoul YWCA's Club Activities

'So Nyeo Ji Mong'


Youth Club for promoting health of girls living in developing countries


Three years ago, for women's health in the third world countries, some girls from middle and high schools have started volunteer club called 'So Nyeo Ji Mong'.


To make a direct translation of this name, it means 'girls' dream', but they wanted to show their will to let the girls suffering from war and poverty have dreams and hope.

In every second and forth Saturday morning, 12 members from forth group gather to make cotton sanitary napkins. Wonder why they make cotton sanitary napkin? They started to make it to help girls living in developing countries, who couldn't go to school for want of sanitary pads. Since 2008, they have made the napkins and sent those to girls in Thailand, Cambodia, and Uganda. Particularly, it is worthwhile to protect Ugandan orphan girls from secondary HIV infection by using sanitary napkins. In addition, at the youth festival called 'Club Day', they inform other students that using disposable sanitary napkins damages women's health and pollutes the environment as well.


To be honestly, it felt awkward and ashamed to make sanitary pads at first. But for now, they take great pride in protecting women's lives and health with the sanitary napkins that they made themselves. Sometimes they were hard to keep sewing, and sometimes they were not sure whether they could really help out somebody by making sanitary napkins. However, they now put their love and wish into every stitch with belief that they could support those in need.


After completion of making sanitary napkin, they wrap it with a card they wrote. Although they have never met the girls in person but in the picture that a missionary sent, they always started writing a card by saying 'My Friend' because they have been thinking of them as real friends. They said, "It is a bit hard to write a card in English, but we really hope that they would be happy to read these." Now they are looking for more club members. If interested, please contact Gangnam Youth Center at 02-544-9835.

2010년 7월 20일 화요일

大学Y共同体项目 我们是首尔Y会员

“下列几项中符合YWCA的意义的是哪个?1 Young Women’s Culture Association,2 Young Women’s Christian Association,…… 5 Young Women’s Christian Area.”


6月的第一个周六,大学Y会员们相聚在一起的地方是举行大学Y共同体项目的教室。大学Y共同体项目是为理解首尔Y,确立作为大学Y会员的正体性,并鼓励会员们树立使命感在首尔Y中积极地活动的一个机会。


走进教室,大家正在观看介绍首尔Y和大学Y的影像和PPT。“首尔YWCA是 Young Women’s Christian Association的缩写,是由1922年当时的新女性创立的。”从首尔Y的历史到组织和进行中的项目,通过知识问答为对YWCA仍不理解的会员进行介绍。特别是向会员们介绍了2010年重点进行的3项重点项目(尊重女性人权的知识社会,拯救儿童和青少年的教育环境,拯救土地和生命的地区社会)以及每年举行的会员活动(特别活动,家庭庆典,赶集日,会员日),并且作为女性基督教市民团体理解首尔Y的角色,同时作为大学Y的一员能够感受到自豪感和责任心。


介绍完首尔Y之后,通过娱乐时间拉进了生疏的朋友之间的距离。用‘key word’轮流做自我介绍,之后接受其他朋友的提问。“我想用‘青蛙’作为我的‘key word’来介绍自己,因为我的名字‘白雨林’快点读的话听起来像‘青蛙’。”“都说我像笑星金荣哲,真的吗?”想掩盖的缺点也毫无顾忌地说出来,有什么好奇的问题也不在乎对方的眼色活跃地提问来,这让我们感受到了才华横溢的大学生们的热情和葱翠的首尔Y的未来。自我介绍之后展开了寻找未来的教育。正确地制定目标并按照目标合理地分配时间,为了实现自己梦寐以求的目标,听取各种意见和百万富翁们的成功秘诀(自我管理,政治,亲密的交往)并写下了自己的未来和梦想。


虽然是为准备就业积累经验而竞争激烈的大学生,为了自己的梦想和首尔Y的未来聚在一起增强意志的大学Y的会员,他们能够展望另一种未来。他们的活动希望能实现大学Y追求的和平和分享,转达温暖的爱迈出第一步。

College Y Community Program "We Are Members of Seoul YWCA"

“Which of the following is the meaning of YWCA? 1. Young Women’s Culture Association, 2. Young Women’s Christian Association, …, 5. Young Women’s Christian Area.”


On the first Saturday of June, young and fresh college Y members gathered in a lecture room for the College Y Community Program. The College Y Community Program encouraged members to have a vocation and actively participate in Seoul YWCA. Participants were able to understand Seoul YWCA and establish their identity as College Y members.

Everyone in the lecture room was watching a PowerPoint presentation on the introduction of Seoul YWCA and College Y. “Seoul YWCA is an abbreviation for Young Women’s Christian Association and it was founded by the "new women" in 1922.” For the members who do not know about YWCA, a program instructor introduced the history of Seoul YWCA, its organization, and ongoing projects, giving fun quizzes. When the instructor explained the three focused projects in 2010 and the annual events, the participants could not only understand the role of Seoul YWCA as a Christian advocacy group but also feel confident and responsible as College Y members.

After the introduction of Seoul YWCA, the participants had recreational activities to become friends. One by one, they introduced themselves using a ‘key word’ and answered questions. “A ‘frog’ would be my ‘keyword.’ My name is Baek, Woo-Lim, and it sounds like ‘Gaegoori (a frog in Korean)’ when you talk fast.” “People tell me that I look like Kim, Yeong-Chul, the comedian. Do I really?” Students who talk about weaknesses and actively ask questions portrayed their passion and the positive future of Seoul YWCA.

Then, there was a training session for finding one’s vision. Participants wrote down their vision and dream, set goals, divided time, and listened to the advice and millionaires’ key to success (self-discipline, honesty, and intimate friendship).

Although they are basically same with other college students who live competitively to build up career and social experience, College Y members are the future of Seoul YWCA trying to realize not only their own dreams but also Seoul YWCA's vision. Seoul YWCA expects them to put their love and sharing into action.

2010년 7월 11일 일요일

Congratulations on the 500th Volume of Seoul YWCA Newsletter!!!

• Contributors to Seoul YWCA Newsletter



Seoul YWCA Newsletter, conveying various stories of people, has been accomplished by people’s effort and devotion. In celebration of the 500th volume, we had interviews with the contributors to the newsletter, from a founding assistant administrator to a volunteer leader who has worked for the longest time.



‣ Shin, Hee-Woon

Founding Assistant Administrator, Department of PR & Publication (1965-1976)

- Memorable Event

“Almost everything was done by hand back then. Whenever a newspaper or a Christmas newsletter was published, all the staff gathered, folded the paper, and colored the pictures of Santa Claus. It was laborious but still remains in my memory.”

- Celebration and Aspiration

“Vol. 500! It calls for a celebration. However, Seoul YWCA Newsletter should not only raise its competitiveness in various mediums but also listen to the criticisms from its members and other people. I hope that Seoul Y makes programs that interact with society and deliver them through the newsletter and website.”



‣ Cho, Nam-Jin

Former Committee Member, Department of PR & Publication, Seoul Y Correspondent (1985-2004)

 - Memorable Event

“At that time Y had young spirit and was ahead of any other organizations. The consumer movement was awesome. I remember that I unrolled a roll of toilet paper and measured the length, in order to write an article about toilet paper.”

 ‣ Chung, JI-Won

Former Assistant Administrator, Department of PR & Publication (1995-1996, 1999-2002)



- Memorable Moment

“I was always busy making a newsletter. I worked overtime at night, even on holidays. I was deeply moved by my coworkers’ notes with consolation and encouragement.”

 ‣ Kim, Nam-Soon
Current Committee Member, Department of PR & Publication (1992-2010)

 - Celebration and Aspiration“I am so happy to share the publication of the vol.500. I hope it becomes a newsletter that is read by the Seoul Y members as well as the readers outside the association. I also hope it lasts forever as a refreshing and substantial newsletter.”

 

• History of Seoul YWCA Newsletter

Up to vol.500, Seoul YWCA Newsletter has been changed and advanced in many ways. Let’s trace back from the first to the current issue.

 
‣ March 1966, first issue

-Used a tabloid form with pure Korean words in horizontal writing, (at the time vertical writing was norm) going ahead of the stream of times






 

‣ December 2002

 
-From black-and-white to color; four out of eight pages were printed in two colors





‣ March 2004


-Changed into a journal style that made it easier to read








‣ May 2004


-Printed the cover page in color, raising interest and participation of members




 


‣ March 2010

-Printed every page in color, delivering a variety of news much more effectively

 



2010년 7월 8일 목요일

Y Stories in May

May 5

The Athletic meeting
(Bongcheon Nooribom Shelter)

Seventy people from Nooribom Shelter participated in the athletic meeting, under the theme of "Run toward a New Day." They had an enjoyable day by playing a treasure-hunt game and tug-of-war as well as jumping rope in a group.



May 6

「Yeo-Haeng」 Project
* Yeo-haeng is the acronym of a Korean phrase meaning "make women happy."
(Geumcheon Women Resources Development Center)

Geumcheon Women Resources Center hosted the cooking program that helps women start side dish store or get a job in it.



May 8

Playground Festival “Hey friends, Let’s have fun”
(Garak Social Welfare Center)

Garak Social Welfare Center held a festival at Songpa Pine Town in Jangji-dong. Children made soap bubbles and pinwheels, and played with mud.



May 8

Korean Traditional Culture Experience“A Different Kind of
Nan Jang Pan” (Let's play havoc)
(Sungdong Youth Center)

Sungdong Youth Center hosted a Korean Traditional Culture Experience Program for the first time. Teens were able to experience Korean culture by crafting “Hwamunseok” (straw mat) of Ganghwa Island.



May 8, 15

Basic Education for Consumer Reporters (2nd term)
(Seoul YWCA Headquater, the Department of Consumer & Environment)

The Department of Consumer & Environment selected 27 university students as the second term consumer reporters and educated them with lectures. Newly selected students learned about the consumer law and strengthened their capabilities as reporters.



May 11

Training Course for Multiculturalism Activist
(Bongcheon Social Welfare Center)

With 26 international marriage migrant women, Bongcheon Social Welfare Center began a education course“Da-ol”to train them as multiculturalism activists, who will teach their culture to Koreans and make them understand what the real multiculturalism is.



May 15

Helpers Association Member's Picnic
(Seoul YWCA Headquater, the Department of Women's Capacity Building)

The Department of Women's Capacity Building had a spring picnic in Seoul Forest with 800 members of association who babysit, help housework, or do post-natal care.





May 19

Campaign for High Voter Turnout in the Local Election
(Seoul YWCA Headquater, the Department of Planning)

Under the motto of “Your vote makes a world that fulfills your hope”,

the Department of Planning conducted a campaign before the local elections on June 2nd.


2010년 5월 12일 수요일

Y Stories in April






April 9
Praise Worship on Easter at Friday Service for Office Workers
Many office workers got together to celebrate Easter and attended the praise worship led by Rev. Minho Lee.





April 9~10
Annual Spiritual Training for Y Staff
Staff of the Seoul YWCA spent meaningful time during its annual spiritual training on 9-10 April. Rev. Sunghwan Cho preached a sermon entitled 'Spirit, Creativity, and Communication'.





April 10
Gangnam Youth Center: Science Experience Program: Spiders like water?
Many children and youths visited the Spider Museum and Hangang Ecological Park for science experience program.




April 13~14
Charity Bazaar for Raising Social Welfare Fund
The Seoul Branch of the Social Welfare Foundation of the National YWCA held the charity bazaar sponsored by Heonyoung Lee's Fashion. Seoul YWCA appreciated to those joined bazaar.



April 15
Bongcheon Welfare Center: Mobile Dental Clinic for the Elderly
In cooperation with the Seoul Clinic, Bongcheon Welfare Center offered the free dental service for 44 poor elderly.





April 17
Approval Ceremony for Y-Teen and Y-Youth Groups
The Youth Department hold the approval ceremony for Y-Teen and Y-Youth groups and rendered certificates to 283 youth members of Seoul YWCA.

[Seoul YWCA Forum] Multiculture Education. What can we do for it?

On April 5, Seoul YWCA held the first forum on Multiculture Education to look into the current realities and seek alternative teaching methods to make children as global citizens. Here is the abstract of the paper presented at the forum.


The Current Realities in Multicultural Education in Schools
Yoonkyung Park, Professor, Cheongju National University of Education

Despite of fast spreading of multicultural education, it is not yet provided with good-quality and at a meaningful level. According to analysis, the schools give priority to culture education and language education among 6 components of multicultural education; multicultural understanding, culture education, language education, community sense, self-identity, and adoptability. Generally, it is organized as a part of the irregular curriculum so that only 8.9% of multicultural curriculum could be continued. In other words, multicultural education is provided restrictively and partially.

As a result of interview with teachers about how they understand multicultural education, most of them think students from multicultural families should basically learn Korean culture and language. This means students' assimilation into Korean society. The teachers' main problems are lack of overall understanding on multicultural education and educational materials.

In fact, however, the real problems of multicultural education in Korea are reverse discrimination against Korean students and drawing the line between students from multicultural families and Korean students. Nevertheless the school doesn't really support Korean students in need of help, it is supportive for students from multicultural families just because of their different faces. This is the reason why multiciultural education is criticized as a reverse discrimination. Besides, students from multicultural families are forced to participate in after-school program, even though they already adopted their school life.

For better multicultural education, the schools should set right directions and goals for meaningful multicultural education. Guideline can let the schools implement coherent multicutural education policy. The supporting system and evaluation process should be made for systematic and stable multicultural education. For example, Index of Multicultural Education Environment in School should be developed to check problems on multicultural education. This index should not be used for criticizing the schools but consulting educational policy and system.


2010년 4월 29일 목요일

Mr. Y questions, "What is CMS?"

Mr. Y casually glances at YWCA’s brochure and sees the acronym, “CMS”. Like most people, he wonders what it stands for and goes to his computer to Naver’s homepage. He performs a quick search for “Seoul’s YWCA” and clicks on the link for the organization’s homepage: http://www.seoulywca.or.kr.

It turns out that CMA is a way to donate, and he peruses the step-by-step directions:
1. Set aside an amount of money.
2. Apply for a monthly donation to the Seoul Branch of the Social Welfare Foundation of the National YWCA of Korea.
3. Sit back as the donated funds goes to people in financial difficulty through automatic transfer by the Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute.

But wait! He thinks to himself and questions how his hard earned money will be spent. Even though he is familiar with the organization, how will they use his money? His fingers clumsily look for the digits of YWCA’s number on the touch screen of his mobile and finally he manages to dial 02-3705-6041, the number for the Seoul Branch of the Social Welfare Foundation in National YWCA of Korea.

The line rings. A friendly representative answers the phone.
The following is a transcript of the conversation between him and the rep.

Seoul YWCA rep: Good morning! Seoul YWCA, how may I help you?

Mr. Y: Hello, I was wondering if you could give me some more information about CMA and where the money will be spent. I would like to donate, but I’d first like to know where my money is going.

Seoul YWCA rep: Sure thing sir. If you don’t mind may I ask who I’m speaking with?

Mr. Y: This is Mr. Y.

Seoul YWCA rep: Well Mr. Y, the Seoul YWCA has been using CMS funds for the following programs: 'Women's rights', 'Children and Youth', and the 'Environment'. We also help and support poor countries with the CMS fund; for example, to improve the living and studying environments of Cambodian orphans, to give sponsorships to Cambodian orphans, and to support the education of Burmese refugee women. In addition, your donation goes to various volunteer groups such as emergency aid volunteers, overseas youth volunteers, culture volunteers, and aged women volunteers.

Mr. Y: So, it sounds like my donations mostly support people outside of Korea?

Seoul YWCA rep: Actually, that is just a small part of where the CMS funds go, please allow me to explain how they will be used domestically. Your donation will be used both nationally and internationally. Seoul YWCA is composed of a headquarters and six outreach centers. The funds also support feeding children who may not have enough food, the elderly who live alone, low income single parent families, the handicapped, soup kitchens and food delivery services for the elderly, and multicultural families. Moreover, you can help a shelter called 'Nooribom' where women who suffer from domestic violence have nowhere to go turn to. You may be familiar with You, Ji-tae, an actor who has shown continued support for this cause. You can also sponsor scholarships for teenagers in low income families.

Mr. Y: How do I know whether my donation is being used well or not?

Seoul YWCA rep: The Social Welfare Foundation for the National YWCA of Korea has been audited by Certified Public Accountants and the district office. You can check a breakdown of Seoul YWCA's CMS use in both our homepage and our monthly magazine. An added benefit is that your donation is tax deductible.
Mr. Y: Hmmm…okay thanks for answering the questions I have for now, I will call back with any further ones.

Seoul YWCA rep: Sure thing sir, please don’t hesitate to call us.

After the conversation, Mr. Y thought of a million other ways he could use the money. To him, donating was reserved for those who could afford the luxuries of life, not for a salaryman like him. The answers from the phone call may not have convinced him. He is still not sure to this day, but it may have been the countless people he pictured assisting from a small generous gesture. Hesitant at first, he makes a monthly donation and each successive month is easier and easier as the joy of helping others grows inside of him with each payment. Now when he rushes up the steps from the subway he doesn’t ignore the homeless person, but wonders if just maybe his small payment fed that person or gave him a warm bed for one night. No longer is the annoying “ahjooma’s” push felt in front of entrance 2-2, but the warm rush in his heart reminding him just how frail humanity is and that he is making difference.

[April's News] New Start Project: Finding yourself by getting the right job

Sungdong Youth Center’s “New Start Project” started with 80 teenagers. A job consulting program for those between 15 to 29 years old having trouble finding employment, it offers one-on-one employment counseling so that one can determine his/her vocation and eventually get a job in that field.

Meet Keon-ah Kim, a 24 year old young man at his fourth counseling session. The results of the assessment are in: “According to result of the MBTI* assessment, Kim is an ENTP (extrovertive, intuitive, thinker, and perceiver). This implies that he would excel as an artist or an inventor. He can truly excel in either of these fields when he lands the right job through this program.” reported his counselor. Like most in the program, Keon-ah is surprised at the results as he discovers new things about himself.

Now that we know Keon-ah’s aptitude, both he and his counselor can begin the search for the right job. Dozens of cards with job descriptions are placed in front of him, and he meticulously picks fourteen of them. It may seem that fourteen is too many, but Keon-ah took great care and effort to select each of the cards by reading the jobs described on them. The time invested is well spent for it is his future. He then investigates each of the fourteen and narrows his search down to five jobs: an interior designer a landscape architect, an appraiser, a floriculturist, and a hairstylist

He is familiar with some, but with others he is clueless. His fourth session is over, and in closing, the counselor tells him to research what certificates are needed and how to prepare for each job.

According to Min-jeong Bang, the program coordinator of the Sungdong Youth Center (SYC),
"Kim sets a good example to other participants of this program, but it is not easy for at risk teenagers to let them take part in this New Start Project and to find the most suitable job. Nevertheless, I feel great when they return to school and discover their vocation. Hopefully many teenagers (through this program) can find themselves and the field they truly want to work in leading to an exciting new beginning with the New Start Program."



* The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a psychometric questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.

Y Stories in March

March 2River DanceA special annual event sponsored by Seoul’s YWCA. River Dance was held on March 2nd at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and is a traditional Irish show where dancers step dance to Irish tunes with rapid leg movements.


March 8
Campaign for International Women's DayCampaign for International Women's Day was held on March 8th on the crowded streets of Myeongdong. Fair trade coffee and handcrafts from Burmese refugee camps were sold to raise funds for refugee women.


March 13Experience Science Program, Gangnam Youth CenterElementary school students through a hands-on experience learn about science. "Play at the Science Complex" held at the National Central Science Center and the Expo Science Park.





March 13Training for Y-Teen LeadersTraining for Y-Teen Leaders held to enhance leadership, to foster community spirit, and to teach Seoul YWCA's history and role in society.




March 19
Mentoring for International Migrant Women, Bongcheon Welfare Center
International migrant women were paired up with Korean volunteers at the Mentoring Program for International Migrant Women to learn each other’s culture.



March 19Poom-Ah-Si Child-caring, Garak Welfare CenterFamily time to bond while baking a cake. Taught that child rearing is a team effort between the mother and father as both felt the joy of working together for one goal.







March 26~27Training Leaders to become Babysitters, Housekeepers, and Postnatal CaregiversThe Women Empowerment Department gave 140 leaders of Helpers an opportunity to get training at An-myeon island.


2010년 4월 21일 수요일

What is YWCA?


What is YWCA?




Young


Young movement proceeding to a vision with open mind and passion




Women


Women's movement developing women's leadership for the sake of their social participation and status improvement




Christian


Christian movement establishing social justice and peace through the practice of the love of Christ




Association


Member's movement making healthy community by their voluntary participation




International movement working for workd peace with about 25 million members all around the world