Yeongdeungpo-gu Operates Customized Self-Growth Group Counseling 'Banbyeol★Dream' Project

Support for Customized Group Counseling Program Kit Production Amid Prolonged COVID-19... Group Counseling for Over 700 Multicultural Children at Two Local Schools

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) has expanded the existing Happy Danuri Classroom project and launched the visiting customized self-growth group counseling ‘Banbyeol★Dream’ project.

With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, frontline schools are conducting online openings and classes, highlighting the need for psychological and emotional activity support due to limitations in social interaction.

In particular, the number of multicultural youth in the region is increasing annually, and many are found to have difficulties adapting to the local community due to cultural differences, language barriers, and social prejudice.

Accordingly, the district planned the ‘Banbyeol Dream’ project to promote social integration by embracing multicultural children through support for group counseling programs.

With the full-scale launch of the ‘Banbyeol Dream’ project, the district discussed methods for conducting group counseling programs considering the COVID-19 situation and produced group counseling program kits containing activity materials and manuals so that teachers can autonomously conduct sessions in after-school classrooms.

Subsequently, the district distributed the produced kits to two elementary schools in the region with the highest proportion of multicultural students (Daedong Elementary School, Yeongnim Elementary School). Approximately 700 children from multicultural families are enrolled in these elementary schools.

The kit consists of a total of six sessions, including ▲making wooden keychains ▲making emotion cards ▲self-understanding dolls ▲mask decorating, among others.

Additionally, videos to help understand the program operation can be viewed on the Yeongdeungpo-gu Youth Counseling Welfare Center website.

The district expects that through the specially designed group counseling program, naturally occurring interactions will improve strained relationships with peers and teachers, and activities to understand oneself and others will enhance cooperation and social skills.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “This will help multicultural children and youth who are struggling due to COVID-19 to establish a foundation for healthy peer relationships,” and added, “We hope the Banbyeol Dream project will also improve awareness of multiculturalism.”

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