Serving Multicultural and Immigrant Families in Korea

Pearl S. Buck Foundation Korea (PSBFK) was founded as the first South Korean institution specializing in caring for Korean American biracial children born as a result of the Korean War.

Outreach to Multicultural Families

Pearl S. Buck Foundation Korea continues to focus its outreach on multicultural families living in Korea. Since children from multicultural families have a lower rate of enrolling in higher educational institutions and parents from multicultural families have a higher unemployment rate and are more likely to work in simple labor jobs, all of which have been affected adversely by Covid-19, PSBFK made various efforts to secure and improve the lives of multicultural families.

Working with Immigrants and the Elderly

PSBFK implemented a Well-Living Campaign to support elderly Amerasians and improve their living conditions and livelihood. Amid changes in society, attention and support are urgently needed for Amerasians in old age who are living in neglect with minimal government support. The most successful project of the year was a special Motherland Tour–Discovering Korea’s Treasures. The goal was to contribute to the positive relationship-building between immigrant mothers and their children and help immigrant women to experience emotional stability and strengthen the family support system.

Toy Drive for Pearl Buck’s Birthday

As income and childcare difficulties from the pandemic got serious, active support for health care and
protection of children from multicultural families has been needed. One way PSBFK reached out last year was to celebrate Pearl Buck’s 130th birthday and her spirit of protecting children from discrimination by hosting a toy support project. It provided 1,144 children from infants to elementary school age containing a box of Korean animated character toys and teaching aids.

For families whose financial conditions have deteriorated due to COVID-19, the toys and teaching aids were helpful for parents who had to work while their children were home; the project also eased the burden of household spending on children’s toys.