From the Field: Consistent Caring Through Changing Times in Korea

by Gary Gamer, President and CEO

Seoul, Korea—The lobby at Holt Children’s Services in Korea is one of my favorite rooms on earth.  But I am savoring it for one last time today. Holt Korea is about to move to a temporary location while a new building complex will rise in the old building’s place.  Holt’s headquarters will occupy a portion of that new building.

It’s not the room itself.  It is quite austere…consistent with Holt’s emphasis on services.  But what is in it never fails to move me.  Animated foster moms with babies wrapped up on their backs, children on laps being bottle-fed and a whole lot of fussing over children going on.  Most of these children come in for a check up at Holt Korea’s clinic, and today some were being prepared to travel to the United States.  The children are active, smiling and soaking up all of the love that permeates the room.

Holt’s move is consistent with the many changes occurring in Korea. The government determined Holt’s property needs to be more comprehensively developed for a city with expanding business, residential and community needs.

Significant changes are also occurring in child welfare. At Holt’s branch office in the city of Suwon, I visited a daycare program that assists some 80 children, many from families facing economic and/or other challenges. Holt’s Ilsan Center, not far from where Harry Holt started our work over 50 years ago, assists hundreds of children and families through a range of therapies, vocational training and special education.

These programs are part of the broad array of services for children in need of permanent and nurturing families that also includes helping vulnerable single young moms in making the best decision for their babies. An important recent change in Korea is providing far greater supports for moms who decide to parent their children. Growing domestic adoption is another priority of Holt’s in Korea today. In fact, domestic adoption in Korea exceeded international adoption for the first time since our work began.

Cultural, economic and social service changes benefiting children in Korea are indeed impressive with Holt playing a major role. For the well being of vulnerable children, such changes must be paced and not forced. International adoption is still a vital option for many Korean children.

This brings me back to the ground level floor at Holt Korea. Three children are in the final stages of preparation for a journey across the ocean to American adoptive families who can barely contain themselves with excitement and love. Documents are being double-checked, bags packed, and tears of endearment shed. I marvel at the fullness of life as this unfolds. I am so grateful to be working with such professional and committed staff at Holt Korea who keep the needs of children so strongly in focus as change sweeps through their country.