Little Travellers Korea

WeAJa Charity Flea Market November 2008

Little Travellers Korea joined the hundreds of vendors at the fourth annual WeAJa charity flea market, which over 100,000 people attended on Sunday, Oct. 12. Beginning just after noon, Little Travellers volunteers sold over 60 handmade pins from the women of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre, including two Travellers purchased by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-Hoon..

The flea market was organized by the JoongAng Media Network and the Beautiful Store, and vendors donated roughly 50 percent of their revenue to charity. Thousands of Koreans and foreigners shopped their way through hundreds of vendors outside of the World Cup Stadium in west Seoul. At the Little Travellers booth, customers could purchase one of the handmade pins for 5,000 won, as well as receive information about the organization and HIV/AIDS from the Korean UNAIDS Information Support Center. The Travellers were joined by Jo Woo Hyung, a Seoul high school student who has been selling pins in her school for the last few months. Jo also sold items from Cambodia, where she had previously volunteered at an AIDS Centre.

At the days end, Little Travellers raised over 350,000 won over the course of four hours for the Hillcrest AIDS Centre and the women of the Woza Maya project.

LT Korea Back in Action September 2008

After a quiet summer, as our volunteers took vacations and time to rest, we are charged up and ready for an even more successful year than the last! Several event ideas are in the works, and we could use some help! Interested volunteers can email korea@littletravellers.net. Both Koreans and Foreigners are more than welcome of course!

Our first fall event was held at Sogang University’s Fall International Festival. On a sunny September day the Little Travellers sat amongst stalls of delicious ethnic food until joyful students seized their favourites. It is our hope this year to continue to involve more University students by visiting such festivals throughout the country. If your University has a festival we can be part of, please get in touch!

May biggest month for Little Travellers Korea yet! May 2008

The month of May was host to two of LT Korea’s most successful events. The first event, a Bake-Off was held Sunday, May 18 at Wien Cake House in Itaewon. Over a dozen bakers entered their delicious treats from homemade pies to saccharine cakes. Even guests with the sweetest tooth had to contain themselves from all the delight. Despite the rain, Wien was packed full of hungry bellies and support of the Little Travellers. As a result over 100 Little Travellers were carried to new homes, generating over 500,000 won for Hillcrest AIDS Center and the crafters. Special thanks to Wein Cake House and the South African Embassy for their support of the venue, juices and wine respectively. Photos of the day’s event can be viewed here.

Only a few weeks after the successful bake-off, the Little Travellers hosted its largest event to date titled ‘A Common Cause’. Three venues- Rocky Mountain Tavern, The Wolfhound, and B1 played host to an overwhelming turnout of well over a thousand guests. Musical performances by Sotto Gamba, The Bellows and EV Boys pleased the masses. Mandatory cover charge was not in effect, yet nearly 700 Little Travellers left with a new friend. KHAP provided information about HIV/AIDS in Korea to attendees and curious passers-by. A raffle was held with prizes donated several local businesses. The supporters were as follows: Istanbul, Quizno’s Itaweon, Well Being Shop, Smoky Saloon, Taco Taco, Orange Tree, New Phillies, Healing Hands Massage, and Marrakech Nights. A huge thanks goes out to the 15 volunteers who donated their time, energy and support. Also, an extended thank you to the three venues that not only hosted the event and offered great drink specials, but assisted in paying for its marketing costs. The enjoyment of the night is well documented as can be seen in our online photo album.

As per the founding principles of our organization, we ensure that of the 5000 won we charge for Little Travellers, 100% of it goes back to South Africa to assist the AIDS center and the crafters who make the pins. For the special events in May we charged 10,000 won due to the added value of the event. A small portion of that money will help pay for operating expenses we incurred, while the rest will be sent to Hillcrest AIDS Center as an additional donation. Thank you to everyone who supported us during this historic month for our chapter in Korea!

Finding friends all over March 2008

Here in Korea, the Little Travellers are finding friends all over, from the bustling capital of Seoul to the calm of subtropical Jeju Island. Over the past few months we have fostered some additional partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

The Little Travellers can now be purchased at the Bagdad Indian Restaurant and Café in Jeju Island, as well as Indigo Restaurant, Healing Hands Massage, and KHAP in Seoul.

KHAP, or the Korean HIV/AIDS Prevention and Support Center is a local foundation which provides free anonymous HIV testing for foreigners and Koreans. Results are rapid, given about 20 minutes after the test. Little Travellers Korea hopes to forward our relationship with KHAP to create awareness and education about HIV here in Korea- home to about 5000 cases, while providing support for some families affected by the 6 million cases in South Africa.

On March 15-16, the Travellers attended Seoul’s hilarity filled Vagina Monologues put on by V-Day Seoul. The show was a huge success raising well over 10 million won for the Dasi Hamkke Center (Support Center for Victims and Survivors of Sex Trafficking). At the same time, 125 Little Travellers found new homes!

To date we have sold over 900 pins, raising over 4.5 million won ($4400 Cdn - the exchange rate is not working in our favour right now!) Plans are underway for a few more fundraisers over the next couple of months, stay tuned for details.

We are also in need of volunteers who would like to help continue this project in Korea. Please email korea@littletravellers.net to get involved.

Anyung Haseyo! December 2007

The Little Travellers have made their way across the Pacific Ocean to the Land of the Morning Calm. Both Koreans and expatriates living in Korea have shown a keen interest in the uniqueness of the dolls along with the goodwill they inspire.

Little Travellers Korea successfully hosted its first event on December 1^st to coincide with World AIDS Day. The Benefit was held at Mike’s Cabin in the Shinchon area of Seoul. Several local musicians donated their time and talent with original melodies to the delight of all attendees. It was a great success in both creating awareness about the project and finding new homes for the dolls. More than 250 dolls were sold raising over 1.3 million won ($1440 Cdn) for families in South Africa. A further 316 000 won ($350 Cdn) was raised through a raffle. These funds will be used to help pay for marketing and operating expenses of the chapter here in Korea.

In addition to the event, several volunteers have been spreading the Little Travellers by selling them to friends, co-workers and family. To date we have sold over 600 dolls, raising more than 3 million won ($3300 Cdn).

Dolls are available at Indigo Restaurant and Cafe in the Haebangchon area of Seoul. To get there; take subway line number 6 to Neoksapyeong Station. Walk straight out of Exit 2 and walk along the wall of the U.S Army Base. At the first traffic light, veer left and continue walking up the road for 150 meters. On the right side you will see Indigo.

For larger orders (ten or more), or mail orders please contact korea@littletravellers.net

Moreover, we are always looking for help to enhance the project. If you would like to get involved please contact korea@littletravellers.net.