Carmel Gajjar's call for funding for the TNKR

I am a volunteer at Teach North Korean Refugee (TNKR). It is a volunteer organisation where individuals, such as myself, are able to volunteer their time to assist North Korean refugees as English language tutors. The organisation does require funding in order to effectively rollout its programmes and ensure that office space is available for tutoring purposes. A donation would be greatly appreciated to assist in the continuation of such a programme in future.

In November 2016, the Ministry of Unification in South Korea reported that the number of North Korean refugees escaping to South Korea had surpassed 30,000. Various media report various challenges that refugees face in adjusting to South Korea. An estimated 35 percent of refugees are unemployed, 80 percent work in menial jobs, and refugees who are employed earn 50% of what South Koreans earn.

Escaping North Korea is the first battle many refugees face. Many report that English is a major barrier for many of them, as they struggle with "Konglish" words that have seeped into the South Korean language. TNKR helps refugees by connecting them with volunteer tutors. Since its founding in March 2013, TNKR has connected 315 refugees with more than 650 volunteer tutors and coaches.