A Joyful Feast and Moment of Challenge for a New Periphery

By Bro. Hilario Seo, SDB

Seoul, Korea, 25 September 2016 -- Nanum House's (Nanum which means sharing) 30th anniversary celebration was opened in a joyful atmosphere with 300 people (Salesian Family members, benefactors, youngsters of Nanum houses, collaborators, and volunteers) in Shinwoldong Salesian Education Center in Seoul. The event of the day  comprised of a Holy Mass and  performance academia from the children of Nanum House and an abundant lunch. “It is a happy and joyful day that we have been able to share God’s love through the provision of  home and protection for the last 30 years.” Fr. Peter Kim, rector of Nanum House, said in his homily. As he mentioned, the 30 years history of Nanum House is a great witness of how the Mercy of God has cared us.

Nanum House was established in the 1980s when the nuclear family phenomenon were rapidly forming in dismantling the large family system and aimed to provide the children who are at risk with family nurturing environment. In January 1988, Salesians in Korea concerned that Nanum House system was a typical initiative with effective solution to help youth in needed due to broken families and designated a full time confrere to develop this new service. In the Nanum House, one or two adult leaders (salesian or lay collaborator) become the head of the household, and under them, 4-5 youngsters who have lost their families come together to create a new family. It was a very new type of youth care system in the society. 

“I’ve started to see my future image here. I found my dream of becoming a chef, and this place, the Nanum House, has nurtured me to achieve that dream. I am very sad that it is time to leave now. I thank everyone that has been part of my upbringing and I promise that I will be earnest, kind, and helpful to the children like me that need help.” As a young bird leaves its nest and flies in the sky with poor flapping wings, Park Jihoon’s words of thanks as he leave the Sinwoldong Nanum House gave a very deep touch to everyone at the 30th anniversary celebration. He lived six years in  Nanum House and graduated high school there and is now employed to the food service team of a large corporation. 

We have started this Nanum House 30 years ago as result of an accurate discernment on the  youth and family situation in that era and on what was the most effective solution for the children who are the most poor and in needed situations. In order to respond to these situations, Nanum House was built and developed in comprehensive caring for the lives of many children. “The 30 years of the Salesian Nanum House is not only a youth care facility but is a true oratory in which the preventive system of Don Bosco is alive. 30 years is a  good enough term for growing a generation and  creating the next generation. When we think of the meaning of Nanum House and its 30 years, the answer comes out by itself when you ask, ‘What is the real meaning of  experience and practice of Mercy of God that Pope Francesco always urged us?’ ” Fr. Marcello Baek, Vice Provincial of Korea in his speech, not only thanked and congratulated the 30 years of Nanum House but also showed the determination of the Korea Salesian is as it approaches the new periphery.

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