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| Youngsters from the Soyang Rainbow Children's Home and the Radcliffe Choral Society take part in the Seoul International Women's Association's "Coming Together," a volunteering and community-building initiative through music, at Heyground Sky Lounge in Seongdong District, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of SIWA |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
The Seoul International Women's Association (SIWA) launched a joint volunteering and community-building initiative "Coming Together," Tuesday, with a joyous musical event.
Han Sung-hwa, president of SIWA, said "Coming Together" was born from their belief that effective collaborative partnerships can ignite transformational and beneficial change beyond borders.
"Today's event is a true celebration of diversity, cultural inclusivity, collective impact, sharing and giving, and music ― a universal language," Han said during Tuesday's event at Heyground Sky Lounge in Seongdong District, Seoul.
"It is our kick-off event to start a long-term philanthropic project to create unique opportunities for marginalized youth to experience and learn about different cultures, build self-esteem and benefit marginalized youth and establish a scholarship fund for them."
The project is held in partnership with the Soyang Rainbow Children's Home, a refuge for orphaned and abandoned children since 1946, and the Radcliffe Choral Society (RCS), a Harvard University student ensemble established in 1899 that promotes excellence in women's choral music.
Youths from Soyang collaborated with volunteers from RCS, using music and games to build stronger bonds. The young individuals from Soyang taught RCS students in singing "Arirang," a famous Korean folk song recognized on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
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| Michela Linda Magri, director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul, speaks during the inaugural event of the Seoul International Women's Association's "Coming Together," a volunteering and community-building initiative through music, at Heyground Sky Lounge in Seongdong District, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of SIWA |
Michela Linda Magri, director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul, joined as guest speaker and delivered a speech on the shared mission and vision of the power of unity, inclusivity and collaboration as drivers for social change.
The second event of the project, slated for mid-July, will be held in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Korea. Hosted by Surabhi Kumar, spouse of Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar, to support vulnerable youngsters at the Seongnam Youth Support Center and Youth Share House.
Kumar expressed great enthusiasm for the forthcoming activities, noting that involvement in such events proved highly rewarding for the diplomatic community.
"Father Vincenzo's Seongnam Youth Support Center has been working tirelessly towards motivating children and youth from underprivileged backgrounds to aspire for more and introducing them to different cultures. The Embassy of India is delighted to support them in this endeavor. My husband and I look forward to welcoming them to come and explore India with us," Kumar said.
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