Community Leaders: Sarah Hale

This month we interviewed Sarah Hale, who is a Assistant Professor at Dongshin University, Naju City. Rumor has it she likes to “help out” around Gwangju.

When did the Adopt-a-Child start as a Christmas program?

I have been involved with Adopt-a-Child for about four years now. I am the current president of the organization. It was founded in 2010 by Al Barnum and originally only included one orphanage- Sungbin Home for Girls. We are now trying to branch out a bit and have been working each year to include the other 11 orphanages. In total, there are about 700 kids staying at the orphanages throughout the city ranging from infants to young adults in their early twenties.

Who do you work with on the program?

There is a small group of both Koreans and ex-pats who help with the work on this project each year. We mostly work to fund-raise, shop for gifts, wrap them all (this part is tough), have the gifts delivered and throw Christmas parties at the orphanages with our own resident Santa Claus, too!

What is your background?

I grew up in the state of Maine, the most Northeast state in the U.S. It is famous for lobsters and beautiful scenery.

What led you to Gwangju?

I have always enjoyed living in foreign countries much more than my own. I guess I like the constant state of uncertainty that a new environment provides. I do not think anyone can completely know a culture that is not his/her own, so the surprises and learning of new things tends to be a weekly if not a daily part of my life, and I enjoy that very much. I lived in Romania for a year when I was 18, Bulgaria for a year when I was 21, and have currently been living here in Gwangju for the past five years. I was placed here by happenstance and could not be happier about it.

What do you find most rewarding in your work?

I just like to help. It gives me a sense of purpose. I feel a bit self-involved saying this – but I hate taking the work I do (especially with kids) and turning it into something that is about me, because it is not for me, it is for them.

Tell me about a time your work made a difference in Gwangju/Korea.

I am continuously helping out with different projects in and around Gwangju, so while I cannot think of a specific time I made a huge difference, I sure hope I have contributed something.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Having a drink and chatting with the people I love or anyone that happens by is one of my favorite things to do in my free time. I also adore listening to podcasts and cooking on the weekdays after work.

Do you have any more things you would like to accomplish?

I would like to start getting a better handle on the Korean language. I am pretty ashamed of where I am, juxtaposed with how long I have lived here. I would also like to be able to remember jokes or stories properly.

 

Tell me about your work at the orphanage in Gwangju.

Since my first year here, I have volunteered at Sungbin Home for Girls every other Saturday. It is a one-hour slot they open for us to come in and just get to know and play with the girls. I was very reluctant to get involved with things [back then], but my good friend Lily made me wake up one Saturday to go visit the orphanage and the rest is history. From there, I got involved with Adopt-a-Child but I do continue to visit Sungbin as well. I love helping out at the other homes, but Sungbin is where my heart lies.

Is there anything else you would like to mention?

We will begin our gift drive this month. If you would like to buy a present for one of the kids, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/adoptachildchristmasgwangju or http://www.adoptachildgwangju.org/.

Additionally, if you have any interest in volunteering with us, please do not hesitate to message me on Facebook or the page!