Today the Korean adoption community learned of the passing of one of it's great shining lights. Dr Kim, the founder of Easter Social Welfare Society, the agency Gabe was adopted from in Korea, passed today at the age of 96. Eastern was started in 1970 by Dr Kim when he was 60 years old. At that time there were very places for unwed mothers, abandoned and disabled children to go. Eastern started as an adoption agency but grew into social services for the people of Korea. It truly is a wonderful agency.
Unfortunately we did not get the chance to meet him as his health had started to decline when we were there and he had handed over running Eastern and doing his ritual of blessing all the children as they left Korea, to his daughter. I find myself sobbing for a man I never met but had such a huge impact not only on my (and my husband's) life, my child's life but on hundreds of thousands of children who were given a better chance at life and of the lives who those children have touched. The world truly is a better place for Dr Kim having been in it.
Read more about Dr Kim and Eastern:
Obituary
Bio about Dr Kim
Eastern's Home Page
(Click on 'English' at the top)
10 comments:
He was a special man and I am so glad that his daughter is continuing his legacy.
I agree, JoJo, he was an amazing man. We are all forever grateful to him.
I've been teary-eyed all day thinking of him. What an incredible man with a beautiful heart. Giving thanks for all that he did {and continues to do through his daughter and many others} for so many children and families.
Thank you for posting this tribute to Dr. Kim. I wasn't aware of his passing, but he no doubt changed hundreds, if not thousands, of lives for the better. There are so many people that he blessed, and he will be truly missed.
As you know, our second loss in the Korean adoption community this year. So sad yet so blessed that this man stood on the forefront for Korean children.
What an amazing person. Thank you for this post, Joanna. I plan to do one too so Max will know about this special man some day.
He sounds like such an amazing man, and it's so very special that he had a part in forming your family.
what a beautiful tribute...so many lives were changed for the better because of him, and for that i am forever grateful.
This is such a beautiful tribute to an amazing man.
This is a beautiful post, Joanna. We're in awe of everything he's done and we're so very thankful.
Post a Comment