What is the Story Behind Seodaemun-gu's 100 Families Care Project Bearing Fruit for 600 Households?

Published 06 Jan.2020 09:31(KST)

In January 2011, Seodaemun-gu launched a unique welfare project inspired by Mother Teresa's words, the special "100 Families Care" initiative; Yonsei University Medical Center supports 600 families, with total donations reaching 3.4 billion KRW.

Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun District

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] "I never try to save the masses. I can only embrace one person at a time. You can start, and I can start too."

In January 2011, Seodaemun-gu focused on the spirit of this phrase left by Mother Teresa when starting a new welfare project.

What began here is Seodaemun-gu's unique sharing project called the ‘Embracing 100 Families’ initiative.

Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) announced on the 6th that this project, which connects families in welfare blind spots who desperately need help but do not meet legal requirements for public support with individual sponsors, businesses, and religious organizations, reached the milestone of 600 family sponsorships as of December 31 last year.

So far, the cumulative sponsorship funds for the Embracing 100 Families project have reached 3.4 billion KRW. This project was proposed and initiated by Mayor Moon Seok-jin of Seodaemun-gu, who said, “Since there are limits to handling increasing welfare demands with limited welfare budgets, let us establish an advanced donation culture through the discovery of private resources.”

The sponsor for the 600th sponsorship is Yonsei University Medical Center. They donated 5 million KRW and plan to support low-income families with 200,000 KRW monthly for two years.

Yoon Do-heum, Director of Yonsei University Medical Center, expressed his thoughts, saying, “I hope this small sharing will help spread donations within the local community and contribute to the development of Seodaemun-gu’s unique sharing culture.”

The Embracing 100 Families project not only provides financial support such as living expenses, medical expenses, and education costs but also helps solve complex problems inherent in sponsored families and supports their independence through systematic management by professional case managers.

Sponsorship funds are transferred directly to the beneficiary families via automatic payment through the Community Chest of Korea, ensuring a very transparent process.

When Seodaemun-gu’s community service centers, welfare institutions, schools, or residents recommend neighbors in need, after review, they can become beneficiaries of the ‘Embracing 100 Families’ project.

Mayor Moon Seok-jin of Seodaemun-gu stated, “We will steadily continue this project in the new year, providing donors with opportunities for social contribution and giving sponsored families hope for independence.”