10/18/10 — T.H.A.N.K (Taking Humanitarian Action for North Korea) is a club that was chartered this month at Peninsula High School. Responding to the need for action to provide humanitarian aid for North Koreans, T.H.A.N.K will hold fundraisers to increase student awareness of the crisis within North Korea. With more than 180 students who expressed in joining, the club will donate 100% of its proceeds to an organization that provides financial aid, food, and supplies to hundreds of children living in impoverished conditions.
While its main goal is to ameliorate the poor humanitarian situation within North Korea, T.H.A.N.K invites people of all races to unite in its efforts and will share Korean culture with Peninsula students by selling Kim Bap (Korean rice rolls) and Korean BBQ at upcoming school events.
“A major problem is that many people aren’t aware of the situation that these Koreans face. But that’s where we come in. We hope to make these voices heard and to create a joint effort to make a difference in this world,” Heechang Yang, the co-president of T.H.A.N.K, said. “This club enables high school students to improve communities outside of the U.S. and to reach out to the North Korean children who are really struggling right now.”
The North Korean humanitarian crisis is a problem that is often overlooked. The World Food Programme (WFP) stated in a 2009 report that more than 1/3 of the North Korean population is malnourished, as more than 9 million civilians are in need of urgent food assistance. Due to droughts, flash floods, and the lack of stable infrastructure, food production has dwindled, leaving many without basic provisions. They have been forced to cut down the number of meals per day, and many adults skip meals so as to have enough food for their children.
“Whenever people think of North Korea, they usually think of communism, nuclear weapons, or Kim Jong Il. They aren’t really aware of the terrible living conditions that many North Koreans face today. It’s really heartwarming, and this club highlights a growing problem that needs to be addressed,” Neda Dai, a junior at Peninsula High School, stated. “Not only do we help the North Koreans, but we also get to learn a lot about the Korean culture as well. Korean food is amazing!”
Though the club may start with humble means, participants hope that this club with spark interest and concern among their peers, leading to a full-fledged, unified effort.
