Orphanage Origins' Attempt to Stand on One's Own
What discourages and pushes orphanage origins to the brink?
Reporter Kim Han-deul
sswante88@naver.com
In the past, when institutionalized children turned eighteen, they were sent into society to start independent lives, regardless of whether or not they were prepared. However, starting on 22 June, 2022, enforcement of some amendments to the Children's Welfare Law let the children in welfare centers choose to stay protected up to the age of 24. Before this law came into force children had to enter society during their senior year of high school with nowhere to go. Until this newly revised law was put into action their discharge was inevitable and only 7,000,000KRW of aid was allocated to each orphan. Without any connections or family in society, it is almost impossible for these young adults to settle with only 7,000,000KRW. Growing up with no parents or someone there to love and support them makes them emotionally confused and miserable. Quite a few children have to move around to different provinces which challenges them to adapt to new environments. Many of these adults suffer from anxiety and loneliness, having nowhere to rest their mind and bodies.
The beginning of welfare starts with saving these people. Orphans should only be given challenges that they can overcome, not overwhelming challenges that cannot be overcome. The assignment given to institutionalized children on independence is not something that they can overcome. The treatment of orphans needs careful attention from the government and people. Brother's Keeper, run by Kim Seong-min, is a fine example of a social enterprise. Seong-min himself was left behind at age of three. Around twenty years ago, from age three to eighteen he was raised in an orphanage and suffered from starvation and violence. He worked as a part-timer in a restaurant after leaving the institution. He was satisfied to get rewarded for what he did with both words and money. He had hard times in the beginning. He lived on the streets for six months picking up food from food waste bins. Thanks to his own experience, he fully understands the struggle of young people trying to make it on their own and trying to settle into society. He wanted to help them and so established a social enterprise 'Brother's Keeper'. This company is a great example of how society should help the institutionalized children and what keeps them in hope that they too could live life in hope and give hope to those in need.