Nadia C. Ramirez

Hello everyone and thank you so much for checking out my fundraising page.

As many of you know, the most rewarding aspect of my experience as a Fulbright ETA has been volunteering with North Korean defectors in the city of Busan. The past year I've had the pleasure of serving as program coordinator and have witnessed firsthand the perseverance, drive, and positivity with which they pursue their goals and a better life. It's been extremely inspiring and has definitely made me a better person.

Today the only thing I can do for this cause is to be the best teacher I can be. Right now, however, I have the opportunity to go above and beyond by raising funds to help other defectors reach safety in South Korea.

Currently, North Koreans hoping to reach South Korea must do so by crossing into China where they must live in hiding or face repatriation to North Korea. Repatriation comes with a sleuth of terrible punishments such as torture, forced labor, imprisonment, or even execution. This isn't the only danger. While in China, defectors have been known to be subjected to sex trafficking or labor abuses in exchange for not being outed as North Koreans. With all of this in mind and wanting to do all I can to help, I have decided to join this fundraiser and take part in the Kim Dae-Jung Peace Marathon in Seoul where I will be running my first ever 5k!

The Marathon will take place on June 12th and all funds will be donated to the Citizen's Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR) Rescue Fund. The Rescue Fund was created by volunteers within NKHR to host fundraising events that will aid in rescuing defectors and setting up resettlement programs.

Rescuing a single defector by bringing them safely to South Korea costs about 2500 USD. Last year participants in this fundraiser were able to raise about 17,000 USD for this wonderful cause. This year everyone would like to see us either match or exceed this amount! Let's do our best and please remember that every cent helps. : )

Thank you so much for checking out my page and remember, every cent helps!

Runners for R4R register to run in the Kim Dae-Jung Peace Marathon in Seoul on June 12, while committing to fundraise for Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR) Rescue Fund. Our goal is to raise $20,000 total to help 8 North Koreans safely reach South Korea from China, where they face human rights abuses. To learn more about their struggle, visit: http://www.nkhrrescuefund.org/refugees-journey.html

R4R 주자들은 6월 12일에 서울에서 열릴 김대중 평화 마라톤에 참가 신청을 하는 동시에 북한인권시민연합 (NKHR)의 구호 기금 모금에 참여하게 됩니다. 저희의 목표는 24,000,000원을 모아 중국에서 인권 침해로 고통을 받는 8명의 북한 사람들을 안전하게 한국으로 데려오는 것입니다. 더 많은 정보를 알고 싶으시면 이 사이트를 방문하세요: http://nkhrrescuefundkr.weebly.com/494574455251008-510604711144172-50416510774576845796.html