Judith Runs for Resettlement

One of the most rewarding parts of my Fulbright grant year has been volunteering with North Korean defector students. Last semester, I taught college students; this semester I'm working with elementary school kids.

My students are sweet, hilarious, sometimes wild, and always inspiring. Some of them remember life under the North Korean regime and their subsequent escape; others, especially the youngest children, have spent nearly their entire lives as refugees shuttling from country to country until finally arriving in South Korea. Even after braving untold horrors to arrive here, many of them struggle to assimilate into South Korean society.

Next month, I'm running a 5k (I know: Judith, running?! Stick with me here) to raise money for the North Korean Human Rights Rescue Fund. After successfully escaping from North Korea into a third country from which they then try to enter South Korea, many defectors - including my own students - are in constant danger of being reported and repatriated back to the North, where they face political prison, torture, and even execution. Because of this, refugees in third countries are forced to live in hiding, without access to basic human rights such as adequate food, safe housing, medical care, or education. This means that many fall victim to human trafficking; women especially are vulnerable to sex trafficking

All the money raised from this race goes towards rescuing North Korean refugees and helping them adjust to life in South Korea. It costs approximately $2,000-2500 USD to bring **one** refugee to South Korea and give them the hope of a new life. Please, please consider donating to this incredibly important, life-giving cause, and please reach out to me with any questions you may have about the donation process or just to talk about the issues at hand.

Love,
Judith