[KKOOM] Early education for Korean toddlers

We have all reached a season of waiting. Waiting to hear from that dream job. Waiting to have our own family. Waiting for our dreams and desires to come to fruition. During these seasons, it is difficult at times to see the hope at the end of the tunnel. 

We are currently embracing the waiting season as we hope to fund tuition for KKOOM’s next preschool scholar. Earlier this year, we funded the necessary funds for Harmony to attend preschool. Now, she is receiving government funding to attend preschool because she is four-years-old. 

In September, an eight-month-old baby arrived at a KKOOM-supported children’s home. The house mother said the baby needed new clothing and new toys. KKOOM provided a Welcome Boost Fund, approximately $150, to purchase the necessary supplies so the newly arrived child could have a fresh start. 

Thanks to the generosity of the KKOOM community, the Welcome Boosts are always funded immediately when we share the need on social media. While the toddler is too young to attend school, we asked the children’s home when the baby girl will start preschool. She will start next fall in 2023. 

The toddler is now ten-months-old and is the youngest child at the children’s home. During the holiday season, we will be sponsoring a gift of 50,000 won or approximately $40 so the precious baby can enjoy her very first Christmas. 

In the seasons of waiting, it is a time to keep hope alive and to prepare when the harvest will come. Your one-time donation or monthly giving helps us be prepared for the unexpected. It helps us provide emergency funds so the children’s home staff can buy basic supplies for a newly arrived child. It helps boost a child’s future to achieve success by funding an education that they would not have otherwise. 

We never know the exact needs or asks that will come from the children’s home. What we do know is this - we can always count on providing a preschool scholarship for any toddler who arrives at a KKOOM-supported children’s home, thanks to your unwavering love and support. 

In 2019 and 2020, we funded a preschool scholarship for a young girl named Gabby. She is now five-years-old. When KKOOM first funded her preschool scholarship in fall 2019, she was three. At that time, she could not receive government funding to attend school. Four is the age that the government supports a preschool education for those living in the social welfare system. The additional 1.5 years of preschool before government funding was instrumental in growing Gabby’s social and emotional skills.  

When Gabby arrived at a KKOOM-supported children’s home in 2019, she was a shy, little girl who barely spoke and had a hard time allowing people to hug her. Over time her confidence has grown. After a few months of being at the children’s home, she started articulating herself better and enjoyed being around others. In December 2019, she even performed the “Three Bear’s Song '' in Korean at KKOOM’s Inaugural Christmas Talent Show.

Gabby is now in kindergarten. We recently reached out to her house mother to get more information on how Gabby is doing in school. Her favorite thing to do in kindergarten is playing in the water. She also loves playing house with her friends, even giving herself the responsibilities of being mom or dad during the role play. The biggest improvement is her emotional stability and having stronger social skills. Gabby does a really good job of making friends easily. 

Here are some words shared by Gabby’s house mother in appreciation to the KKOOM community. “I would like to express my gratitude to KKOOM for running a preschool scholarship program. With your support, many children can grow up to be bright and healthy. By always helping and supporting the children at Emmanuel, the children can live happily ever after. Thank you always!” 

Oprah Winfrey said, “education is the key to unlocking the world. It is the passport to freedom.” Through your generosity, you have unlocked a world of possibilities for this young toddler by providing a truly impactful education. The best is yet to come for Gabby, thanks to your steadfast love and support to KKOOM's Preschool Scholarship Program.