COVID-19 Delays School Opening... DIY Toy Support for Low-Income Children

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) is promoting the 'D.I.Y. Home Playground Support Project with Parents' for children who are spending more time at home due to the global spread of COVID-19.

This project is part of emotional and behavioral service support measures for low-income children who must stay at home due to the postponement of elementary school openings and the closure of child and childcare facilities.

To this end, the district selected about 150 legally low-income children from Dream Start case-managed children who belong to basic livelihood security and near-poverty classes.

From the 16th, various toy sets such as age-appropriate 'sound books,' 'children's Jenga,' 'jigsaw puzzles,' and 'assembly toys' will be delivered to these children to support them in having fun at home.

In addition, to prevent COVID-19 infection, case managers check the children's health status daily by phone and convey infection prevention guidelines, closely responding to any emergency situations that may arise unexpectedly.

SGI Seoul Guarantee Insurance (CEO Kim Sang-taek), which donated funds for this project, is the largest guarantee institution in Korea, established in 1998 through the merger of Daehan Guarantee Insurance and Korea Guarantee Insurance. Since 2012, it has continuously shared and supported underprivileged residents in the region every year.

Under the sponsorship of SGI Seoul Guarantee Insurance, Dream Start children in Jongno-gu have participated in the 'Exciting Saturday Weekend Program,' engaging in various cultural activities, and last fall, they also experienced a 1-night, 2-day healing camp to realize the importance of family.

Furthermore, earlier this year, they played a strong supporting role for local children by providing children's masks, hand sanitizers, and disinfectants to prevent COVID-19 infection.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong expressed, "I extend my deep gratitude to SGI Seoul Guarantee Insurance for their generous sharing for residents in difficult circumstances," adding, "As a child-friendly city, Jongno-gu will continue to steadily promote the Dream Start project to support the healthy growth and development of vulnerable children and implement solid policies to prepare for the spread of COVID-19."

Since 2012, Jongno-gu has been conducting the Dream Start project to help children's healthy growth and development and provide equal starting opportunities.

It offers customized integrated services tailored to individuals, including health checkups, reading guidance, and family counseling, targeting basic livelihood recipients, near-poverty classes, and single-parent families.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.