A different kind of project:
Would
you like a bear or a car? " North Korean children do not know how
to answer this question. The looked at all the toys with wide-eyed
excitement, and received their gifts with a polite "komapsumnida" (Thank
you in Korean) and a bow.
After the toys had been
passed out, the children were allowed to play in the schoolyard, and I
could see just how happy they were to receive these small gifts from Switzerland.
I had the privilege of distributing five boxes with stuffed animals, dolls,
children's books, toy cars, wooden toys and clothing at the kindergarten
in Namsang. These items had been collected nearly a year ago in Switzerland
for this purpose. Thanks to all the donors!
On the day of the distribution,
all the children (3-5 year-olds) and kindergarten staff got dressed up
fort he occasion. They greeted us with a song and bouquets of flowers.
It is fascinating to watch such young child perform complex dances so well.
Afterward they played a competitive ball game for us. We were able to observe
how the North Korean children learn – standing in perfect formation and
marching in step.
This kindergarten is different
from any I have ever seen in Switzerland! That is why I was so happy to
have the opportunity to visit and hand out the toys. I wanted to
give the children a small token of joy and a chance to simply play."
Katja Schaffer, Pyongyang 
Not
our main mission, but certainly a joyful activity… |
Dear
Reader
Can you help us?It has been almost ten years
since we began our work in North Korea. Out of our small beginnings, a
widely known and respected project has developed. We appreciate the positive
working relationships with all our North Korean partners – and with supporters
like you , who have been with us throughout this journey! Numerous people like you
have helped us in various ways as we have sought to provide the people
of North Korea with additional sources of nutritional food as well as give
them hope and courage fort he future. Your trust in us and our work is
a great gift. Thank you! Many things have begun to
change since we first got started; however, the progress often comes in
small steps. The time has not yet come for us to turn things over to local
leaders. We still see a great need for training, and food distribution
remains difficult. We see our role in North Korea continuing – as
long as the political situation allows. Our goal is to serve those
who need our help most. Anita Burckhardt
Fundraising, North
Korea Project |  |
| +++ NEWS +++ NEWS +++ NEWS
+++ NEWS +++ NEWS +++ NEWS +++ |
Knowhow-Transfer
All our project locations
were regularly visited throughout the summer. Our cheese-making expert
and the animal husbandry specialist did training and consulting in animal
health, fodder storage and milk processing as necessary. | New Milk-processing Facilities
Two new locations, one in
Bubang on the eastern coast and one in the far north in Daehongdan, were
outfitted with new milk-processing equipment and the first workers were
trained in the procedure. | Trainees in Switzerland
10 North Korean Trainees
took part in a four-month educational program on Alpine farms in
Lugnez and the Bernese Oberland. |
The Cheese-making expert,
Géraldine Schüpbach, spent three exhausting weeks in the northern
regions of North Korea, without communication with the Swiss office, without
any "night-life", a three-days journey from Pyong Yang – but close to some
of the most impressive natural scenery North Korea had to offer: Mount
Pakdu. Her impressions after returnin to Switzerland:
I
am so thankful for the amazing experience in North Korea! Yes,
the nineteen days in Daehongdan were very successful – both professionally
and personally. Of course, there were difficulties: when I arrived on Saturday
in the Milk-processing, nothing for the installation was prepared… no pedestal
for the cheese kettle, nothing! They said they were waiting for my call
to get things started – although we had made a different agreement! This
situation was very frustrating. But the end result is what counts,
so I am happy to report that we were able to do four productions of cheese
and yoghurt before I left. I am hopeful that things will continue
to run smoothly there. The workers are very motivated as well as
the local municipal leaders. “
Dieses
Mädchen kommt nun in den Genuss von Joghurt! |
In April, our new Agronome
Katja Schaffer arrived in North Korea, shortly before the Cheese-making
expert Géraldine Schüpbach. They share their first impressions:
Katja Schaffer: On
the way from the airport to my new home in Pyong Yang, I was amazed: I
saw at least 15 living-room suites being pushed or pulled by North Koreans
on small trailers through the streets. Little did I know at that point
that transport difficulties are one of North Korea's biggest problems,
but this soon became clear. Efficient transportation opportunities are
lacking in all sectors and limit amount of potential economic growth significantly.
What did you notice most
of all on your first day in North Korea, Géraldine?
Géraldine Schüpbach:
I was surprised by the level of comfort in our apartment. The shower worked
– most of the time. Also, I had imagined the city to be much different
– much poorer. Of course, I know that the people here are poor, but the
poverty is not obvious at first sight. One reason could be that the people
are quite well-dressed and well-groomed.
Katja: Yes, exactly!
I was certainly happy that I had bought a couple of blouses before I left
home! I always try to dress according to the customs of the country
I am in. It was really hard to do this time, because it was so hot during
the summer; however, North Korean women do not wear shorts or sleeves tops.
I quickly realized, though, that foreigners could get away with dressing
more or less how they wanted. Any "faux pas" will simply be attributed
to the "foreigner" category. No matter what we do, we are clearly foreigners
here, and we often felt like it. How did you experience making contact
with local people?
Géraldine:
The North Koreans in our team are very friendly and helpful. I realize
that they have to hide a lot of things from us. They never speak about
their feelings. Somehow, there is always a wall between us, even though
we spend a lot of time together. Conversations simply stop as soon as the
subject becomes more personal. The fact that North Koreans are absolutely
not punctual was also rather difficult for me at first.
Katja: I had difficulty
with Korean hospitality: Guests have to eat A LOT! At our project locations
the women prepared a feast three times per day. The village leader constantly
offered me more and more food during every meal. I felt like I was just
repeating myself, saying how good the food was, but that I simply could
not eat any more because I had had enough. Sometimes it was really hard
to eat anything at all when I thought about how many people in this country
did not have enough food on their tables at home. Hospitality in this country
means having more than enough food and the best to offer guests.
Géraldine: Yes, I had the same problems. Nevertheless, the time in North Korea
was very valuable for me. It was so good to sense God's presence
in such a clear way. This gave me strength and hope.
Muscles
and Sushi for a change – mmh! |
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