15th Anniversary Community Service Day: Kimchi Making for the Elderly

Monday was an action-packed and kimchi-filled day, where over 700 students made more than 600 kg of kimchi for the elderly in need. 

As we continue to celebrate our 15th anniversary, we held our Community Service Day by making kimchi together. Each student came together to make 200 heads of cabbage worth of kimchi for elderly members of the community, with the generous support from Friends of Dulwich and helping hands of parents and staff.  

“It was fun and very different from what I usually make at home. I hope the elderly feel happy and heart warmed because they have someone who knows will take care of them and that we’re trying to help them out,” said Harper R from Year 7 in her black apron.  

“It was fun and made me feel happy. I feel grateful for what I’ve done and what other people have done. I hope they enjoy it and have a good time when they eat it,” said Emma M, a Year 2 student with her hairnet and apron still neatly in place.  

“It was interesting and fun. I liked taking the sauce and putting it on the layers, and it smelled pretty good too. It was also with my friends, so it was very fun.” said Reyaansh R, a Year 6 student. 

“We believe it is important for students to participate in community service throughout the year, and what better way to celebrate our 15th anniversary than by bringing the entire student body come together around a common purpose – to help our elderly community in need?  It's especially meaningful for us because making a difference together reflects not only our 15th anniversary theme, but also two of the College’s core values: kindness and community,” said Alison Derbyshire, Head of College at Dulwich College Seoul. 

“We were proud to partner with Korea Legacy to bring this event to the school. We thought it was a great idea, especially targeting the elderly community because there is a great need there and it felt like a perfect match for the students and us,” shared Tracey Lincoln, Friends of Dulwich Chair. [Korea Legacy Committee recently renamed itself to Korea Legacy.] 

Students lined up in the dining hall, buzzing with excitement as they prepared to get their hands messy with garlicky red pepper paste. At their designated tables, some confidently coated radish and fillings like pros, while others carefully flipped and massaged each cabbage leaf, patiently waiting for the sauce to seep in. 

Kailey K, our Head Student, Community, and a Year 12 student, said this was a fun break from her studying as an IB student and shared her thoughts on the importance and impact of helping others.  

“Community service is important because it allows students to learn, connect with others at a deeper level, and become more empathetic as global citizens. And that is a very valuable life skill for everyone. I hope the students had fun and that this experience brought them closer to community service, helping them understand how their small actions can create a big impact and meaningful change in others’ lives,” 

In fact, helping others benefits everyone. Year 6 student Reyaansh R shared how acts of care and kindness can come full circle, even instilling a sense of confidence within. “I feel community service is a good thing to do so other people feel good and you can feel good too.”

The elderly citizens who received the kimchi are among those who are vulnerable in our community. Our partner, Korea Legacy, a non-profit organisation supporting the elderly, works to bridge the gap between the wider communities by raising awareness and supporting those in need.  

“Korea has the highest rate of elderly poverty among OECD countries, with over 40 per cent of the elderly population living in poverty. Elderly poverty is a shared responsibility, and our hope is that by working together to address this issue, it can be alleviated over time,” said Jeena Ko, CEO of Korea Legacy.

600 kg of kimchi was delivered to elderly care homes, accompanied by lovely handwritten cards made by students.  

“We really hope that our students remember this day for many years to come. When they came together as a community, they rolled up their sleeves. They made kimchi, but most importantly, they've made a difference in the lives of others,” said Ms Derbyshire. 
 
A huge thank you to Friends of Dulwich for their generous support, to Korea Legacy for making this possible and to everyone who helped make this event a success. Gamsahamnida!