Many things can be said about North Korea. Yet, its struggling population of 23 million are not to be feared and we should focus more on the unique humanitarian opportunity we have before us. We believe in the way of uncompromising compassion rather than rhetoric and through a 10 year journey of being with the people we celebrate a mutually enriching relationship.

The Uniting Church in Australia is supporting people in North Korea through various caring for children and health initiatives. Though a unique network, through the generosity of many supporters, dedicated staff and at the invitation of the North Korean authorities, we are at this moment reaching out with compassion to ordinary people who are doing it tough. Right Now in North Korea, our way is the way of uncompromising compassion. We invite you and your community to join us.

The Rason Humanitarian Program consists of:

• Hostel for orphaned children. Since 2002 some 350 orphaned children have received care, nutrition, education and health care, and this vital work continues.
• Tuberculosis Clinic and Hospital. 1100 TB patients are treated and 40 cared for at the hospital each year.
• Computer School which so far has enabled 500 community members to be equipped in computer skills.
• and a newly finished Nursing School aims to train 50 new nurses.

Please consider giving NOW to partner in this life-giving work. DONATE NOW

“Jesus in his solidarity with the marginal ones is ‘moved to compassion’. Compassion constitutes a radical form of criticism, for it announces that the hurt is to be taken seriously, that the hurt is not to be accepted as normal and natural, but is an abnormal and unacceptable condition for humanness.”

The Prophetic Imagination, by Walter Brueggemann

Appreciation for Uncompromising Compassion

Chung-Ho* was 14 when he came to the Rason Hostel. His parents had tragically passed away and with no family or community networks able to support him the hostel was the only place he could turn to.

At the hostel, Chung-Ho did not find a cold unloving temporary accommodation centre but a home where the staff and other students became his family. The opportunity to learn, receive health care, eat nutritious food and to interact in a healthy way with others, enabled Chung-Ho to grow into a confident, capable and caring young man.

At 18 years of age he moved to another town as he was able to secure employment in the construction industry. Local employees are quick to recruit students of the hostel once they have finished their studies as they have a superb reputation for the quality of their work and their integrity.

On the receipt of his first pay packet Chung–Ho made the ultimate gesture. He walked for one and half days to the hostel and there he gave his entire first pay packet to other children and to the hostel staff.

It was an act of extreme generosity. But it also pointed to the love and care of the centre and his thankfulness to those who practiced uncompromising compassion at the Rason Humanitarian Program.

To download a full brochure, click here.

To download a Korean translation of brochure, click here.

Reflections on North Korea can be found on John Barr’s blog. to view, click here.

Prayer for North and South Korea

How to donate

To Donate Online – important at Step 2 – head to the blue Church Solidarity Projects

• Click here to make a secure online donation
  

• Donate by phone by calling us on 1800 000 331
  

• Download brochure and print donation form, then return by post to:

  UnitingWorld – Church Solidarity
  Reply Paid A2266
  Sydney South NSW 1235

  Please make cheques or money orders payable to UnitingWorld.

Thank you for your support!

Please note that gifts to to this appeal are not tax-deductible.

Should the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the needs of these projects, UnitingWorld will use the excess funds to support similar humanitarian projects.

North Korea Picture Gallery

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