TNKR - 1,000,000 Challenge

For many North Korean refugees, successfully escaping the despotic Kim regime is only the first of many challenges they face. Some of these challenges include: overcoming immense culture shock; getting a quality education at university; and, attempting to adapt to the modern world.

An extremely important and effective way in which they can overcome these challenges is by learning English. With the English language, North Korean refugees have far greater chances to attend and excel in university, and to assimilate into South Korean and Western culture. TNKR is a non-profit organization that seeks to help North Korean refugees achieve these goals. TNKR matches volunteer native-speaking English tutors with North Korean refugees to provide private tutoring sessions.

Your donations will go a long way in ensuring that these refugees will have the learning materials and teaching help they need to pursue a better future, and most importantly, live a more fruitful and successful life in South Korea.

Thank you,
Marco

P.S., To my friends and family from the USA: 1000 Korean Won (₩1000) is equivalent to roughly 1 US dollar ($1.00)!

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.