Sandhill students feel good about KKOOM
Contributed by Sandhills School

Students at Sandhill School exchange Christmas cheer with Korean children.

The students of Sandhills School participated in a demonstration of international friendship and charitable giving this past holiday season. The students, families, and faculty of Sandhills School raised over $1,200 dollars and sent 25 care packages to children at Samsungwon orphanage in South Korea.

The care packages contained English dictionaries, educational toys, school supplies, hats, gloves, and American snacks. "I'm glad I got to donate gifts to a Korean girl so she could have a nice Christmas. It was a long and hard project, but I loved doing it because it gave me a good feeling inside of me," said ten- year- old Kayla.

The American students each received a picture of their Korean friend. They went to WalMart to pick out items for Korean children close to their age group. Along the way, Sandhills students learned about Korean culture and the everyday lives of the 89 children living at the orphanage. "The kids were dropped off at the orphanage because their mom and dad couldn't take care of them." explained Sydney.

After winter break, Aimee Jachym, director of Korean Kids Orphanage Outreach Mission (KKOOM), came to Sandhills and showed the students video footage of the Christmas party where their Korean buddies opened their care packages.

This is part of KKOOM's 360 degree giving vision, where both gift giver and receiver benefit from the process. The students were able to ask questions about the Korean children and if they liked the presents they had picked out. "It was a great experience. I had a great time, and I bet my Korean buddy is having a great time with all of the stuff I got for him," said Jamison.

The Samsungwon children sent their American friends handmade Christmas ornaments, traditional Korean treats, and a picture of themselves opening their packages. "We got chocolate sticks and a Chocopie from our buddy. But the best part was we raised the money in a record of two weeks! That was the best Christmas ever!" exclaimed Sydney.

Sandhills School is an independent school in Columbia, S.C. for children who learn differently. For more information, please go to www.sandhillsschool.org

To become involved in similar projects throughout the year, please contact Korean Kids and Orphanage Outreach Mission at www.kkoom.org