HOPE runs clothing drive to help defectors

HOPE is running a fund-raiser this weekend in aid of two centers for North Korean defectors.

The nonprofit will hold clothing drives to give to Durihana Missionary and Mulmangcho Adolescent Center, both adjustment centers for North Korean defectors who have recently arrived in South Korea.

Mulmangcho shelters school-aged children, while Durihana is for all ages.

HOPE will also be auctioning off artwork and other items, including Arthur dolls, Beatles memorabilia, African masks, bracelets and T-shirts.

HOPE project director Edward Robinson said that some money had already been raised in a previous auction at Prudential Insurance’s Asian international conference.

HOPE is a non-profit organization set up five years ago to teach underprivileged children in the Seoul area, but recent years have seen the group branch out into other charitable activities.

The organizers are hoping to use the money raised to help buy sports equipment for the adolescent center. Robinson said he saw the potential for this when he visited Mulmangcho for a ceremony last week.

“One of the areas, a fitness center, is in need of some equipment.” he said.

“They had some exercise equipment, some free weights, and things of that type. But they had limited sports equipment.”

HOPE is looking to provide some badminton and volleyball equipment, as well as a basketball hoop to the center.

“We are always trying to add a new page to what we do to help others,” said Robinson, who added that he and others have also begun washing clothes for the homeless in cooperation with a local pastor.

The clothing drive will be held Saturday at two locations, firstly at Sam Ryan’s bar in Itaewon from noon till 3 p.m. and then at Bottoms Up in Doldari, Guri, Gyeonggi Province, from 7-10 p.m.

Those who donate a bag of free clothing will get a free drink.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)