Skip to main content

2017-02-07 "TNKR gave me my name"

 


I used to say, "Today was a special day," but these days, it seems that every day is special. Super special North Korean refugee Eunhee Park had class with one of her tutors. Then we talked about TNKR's upcoming activities and ways that she can be involved.

When we mentioned our new fundraising site, she immediately set one up before she left the office. I have been twisting the arms of our volunteers to set up fundraisers, but Eunhee didn't hesitate at all once she heard about what we were trying.

She is a thoughtful lady, we can be talking about something really simple, then suddenly she will hit you upside the head with a profound thought.


* * *


Eunhee studied with Kaina using the Korea Times. It is the first time she has been reading an English-language newspaper on a regular basis. She is one of the TNKR students who received a free subscription to the Korea Times after competing in TNKR's 4th English speech contest August 2016. (Update: Eunhee later won TNKR's 9th English speech contest and gave a TEDx Talk)




* * *


What could make a great day even better? Cherie Yang also came to the office! She had class with Jennifer Bowman. It turns out that they celebrate the same birthday!



Update: Cherie won TNKR's 5th English speech contest and later gave a TEDx Talk.

* * *

I know that some of the volunteers think it is strange that I want to take photos with them. Years ago, I read about a football player who always wanted to be photographed with his teammates. when I was a sports reporter, one of the basketball players I interviewed told me that he felt uncomfortable with profiles being done on him, that he wanted his teammates to be mentioned by name. I always try to remember to thank volunteers.

This is Jennifer Bowman, an active volunteer with us--tutor, coach, fundraiser and donor!


* * *
Cherie calls me an angel. She doesn't just say this directly to me--she will say it with other people around to witness it. 

I don't argue the point, because there are many other things that North Koreans still in North Korea might call me.



Update: It was a fantastic day. Who would have ever guessed that the two students studying with us that day would later become TEDx speakers and that both would win a TNKR English speech contest?

Popular posts from this blog

Mentoring while Black (Korea Times 2/16/2023)

  Mentoring while Black by Casey Lartigue Jr. February 16, 2023 www.patreon.com/caseylartigue

Radio, Harvard

I'll be a guest on XM 169 The Power this morning from 10:15 a.m. EST. I'll be talking about teaching English abroad. I'll be interviewed by Brian Higgins of MYB Talk . I sang last night for about five hours with friends but I'm sure my voice will be fine. Tuesday, I'll be interviewed by a Harvard University representative who wants my input on a new doctoral program for education leaders . It is a collaboration between the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School. Some folks at the Booker Rising site are (again) reminding me that I'm not as smart as I think I am. CJL

Still writing (Korea Times, 2023-12-19)

Still writing by Casey Lartigue Jr. The Korea Times December 19, 2023 https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2023/12/626_365284.html

Park Jin welcoming remarks to FSI (and Casey Lartigue)

  National Assembly member Park Jin makes the welcoming remarks at FSI's conference featuring North Korean diplomats. Park Jin | Greeting message to FSI and Casey Lartigue mention - YouTube

North Korean defector seeks justice (Korea Times)

  It was international news when 12 North Korean waitresses and a male manager who worked at a restaurant operated by the North Korean regime in China arrived in South Korea in 2016.  The waitresses have mostly maintained a low profile. There have been numerous accusations and assertions, with some saying the waitresses didn't want to escape, some accused the Park Geun-hye administration of playing politics by releasing details of the case, etc., etc., etc. My blog at the Korea Times today features an exclusive interview with one of the former North Korean waitresses who filed a criminal case against the former manager. You can read about it here on the Korea Times website. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2023/02/728_345165.html   Keep in mind that there are many more facts to the case and that it is much deeper than this brief excerpt of her comments. She also shared legal documents that I shared with the Korea Times well in advance to give them time to review t...