The principal of a school for Korean Students in New Malden, London, England is trying in her own way to bridge the gap between the North and South. The school was established in 2016 mostly by North Koreans. Although many of the parents are from North Korea the students play, learn, and grow together regardless of where they came from, they are all Koreans. The Catholic Times in the North/South Reconciliation column gives the readers the principal's dreams for the school.
The neighbors communicate in chat rooms. There are 70 people tied up in an alley with about 80 houses, so almost all of them are communicating with each other.
It happened in spring of 2020 when everyone was locked up at home due to COVID-19. It started with a young mother who handed out a message door to door asking: "If you are isolated and elderly or need help, let's take care of each other." Since neighbors are connected, there are many good things. They do grocery shopping for neighbors who are not able to move, exchange items that they don't use, and exchange necessary information and donate.
The principal's husband sent a message to the food bank in the winter of the first year. Items piled up in front of the house. It was full of Christmas gifts for children, canned food and cereal. Some neighbors collected winter clothes for Ukrainian refugees, and others collected and delivered household items and clothes sent to women's shelters for victims of domestic violence. When a suggestion was offered somebody was there to respond.
The school is having a Christmas festival soon. She was going to have a bazaar, but didn't have enough items to sell. Her husband posted to the alley community. "Christmas Donation Suggestion: We accept donations of unused toys. We'll send them to the Christmas bazaar at the New Malden Hangeul School. The school is where the South and North Korean communities in New Malden learn Korean culture and language together. It operates in the spirit of reconciliation and peace that connects two divided societies. In a time when division and inconsistency are prevalent, it is truly precious that there is such a space for harmony and unity. We accept donations until Friday." He posted in the morning, and 20 toys came in that morning.
She looked back on her disappointment on seeing the loose solidarity, lack of a warm interchange, and shallow practice of the alley community. She hoped that the school, where children from South and North Korean families study together, would become a community of inter-Korean reconciliation and peace. She dreamed of a strong solidarity or a family-like relationship. She kept trying to realize this dream but it never was to be.
Christmas feast. Children play cheerfully, and if there is a chance for the parents of the children to engage in conversation with each other even if awkwardly that is enough. She prays that the Lord will bless the time together.
