Introducing the WINGS Desk Campaign program!
Launched in 2019, the WINGS grant fund supports families across Korea, with a special focus on single parents. Grants have been provided for everything from medical care, to assisting families with moves to independent living, to educational opportunities for parents and children alike.
Since the start of the program, Me & Korea noticed a unique number of requests for in-home desk sets, so that children could more easily study and complete their schoolwork.
The impacts of donated desk sets have been so positive and successful, that a separate campaign to raise funds specifically for desk donation requests has been established to support families with school-age children. We are excited to introduce the WINGS Desk Campaign program!
Below, read just a few of our recent desk set request applications, as well as impact letters from grantees. Me & Korea and WINGS are thrilled to launch this program, and hope you will join us in donating a desk set to a family!
Read a recent desk set application
Letter from H’s mom:
“After visiting his friend's house, H seemed very envious about their bed and desk. Although getting a bed may be hard, I at least wanted to get him a desk, but now we have to pay a lot of bills. His small dining table became his desk. Since we have to change from a working environment with books and notes to a table used for eating, it is hard for H to focus on his school work.
It has been 5 years since we started living in the community home, and in a couple of months we have to leave. We cannot sleep. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family planned to grant mothers and their children a 3 year extension to their stay at the single parents community home; however, with our leaving date approaching and no news of the extension being put into effect, it looks like we will have to leave.
When the community staff came and inspected our community home, they noticed my kids did not have a desk. When the staff members told us they would look for a sponsor for desks, all of the mothers rejoiced. When I told my children to study on a long and old desk, they had many complaints. My sensitive daughter was especially bothered by these desks. There would be no space for studying since there was a laptop and desktop taking up all the space. It may be an excuse, but she said she could study well if she got a new desk. Even if her grades do not improve, as a mother I am always sorry since I cannot get her something as essential as a desk for studying. But I just say that I am not getting her a new desk because her grades are not improving. My middle schooler son has a big heart and understands, so he does not complain about a new desk. Even if I do get him a new desk, he will study harder. He likes to read books and says he wants to be a lawyer. “
“H is still using the same table he got before entering kindergarten. If you put one laptop on it, there is no more space. But he never complains and attends online classes. Even to me it is incredible. Although it is a very small desk without a bookshelf, he never asks to buy a new one. He doesn’t know how to complain. He first asked for something in middle school, he asked me to buy him clothes. If I give him secondhand clothes, he does not complain and wears it.
As unmarried mothers that delivered a child without being prepared to raise a child, or mothers who have lived a rough life due to a divorce, the mothers of our communities have a heavy burden on their shoulders. Although something like desks are essential to the students/children, the kids in our communities do not have them at all. Even the few children who have desks are using old desks that need to be replaced. When children with both parents get new desks, it is a symbol encouraging the child to study harder. But for our community’s children, a desk is a symbol that fills the empty space like a guardian. Nevertheless, we do not have any desks. Our hearts are broken.”
Read recent impact letters
Letter from Mom 1:
“Hello, I am a single mother with three children. In March, my eldest daughter is becoming 10 years old, and my twins will be 8 years old. I have felt four times harder than others, while raising my three children as a single mother.
Still, as the years passed, I was able to endure, and now, I am happy that my twin children will be elementary school students. The structure of our house is a rental apartment consisting of two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. It is a small place to live together for three children and one adult. This time, thanks to a generous donation for desks and chairs, I was able to create a more comfortable study environment for my children.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, online classes are now how school works, so my children’s desks are splendid due to their usability, storage, and functionality. In the past, in the case of low-priced desks, the material was cheap and so lasted less than a year. I could not afford to buy all three of this furniture due to the high price, so my children normally did homework and drawings on the floor. They frequently said that it hurt the neck and the back when leaning, and thus I was very sad and heartbroken to hear this.
The first child likes to read and draw, one of my younger twins likes to draw pictures with her sister, and my third child enjoys making handmade origami. So, I was looking for the perfect desks for my kids.
On the morning when the furniture was being installed, the children woke up and were so excited. It was a surprise for them and due to their excitement, they bothered the installers by asking questions.
Seeing their eager reactions, I felt sorry for not being able to do this for them early enough. I am so grateful for your support so that my children and I can live more comfortably and happily, and I am just sorry for only writing a thank you message in order to convey my gratitude.
In these difficult times, laughter and happiness are found in our house every day. I think children will be happier and more comfortable this year because of your love and donation. Thank you very much for your support. I will raise my three children to be healthy and good. Thank you again.”