In a heartwarming display of community spirit, civil servants from the Environmental Bureau of Siheung City have donated their performance-based prize money to the "Siheung Multicultural Mom School," a local educational initiative for multicultural families.
The donation ceremony took place at Siheung City Hall on July 3, 2026. Attendees included Kim Hyung-soo, Board Chair of the Siheung Multicultural Mom School; Yang Soon-pil, Director of the Siheung City Environmental Bureau; Cheon Sook-hyang, Secretary-General of the Siheung 1% Welfare Foundation; and Kim Han-na, Director of the Siheung Family Center.
The idea for this donation originated when the Environmental Bureau staff sought a meaningful way to utilize the prize money they received for their outstanding work performance. The employees were inspired after reading “Lim Byeong-taek’s Administrative Diary” (a book by the Mayor of Siheung), where they learned about the impactful activities of the Siheung Multicultural Mom School. Resonating with the school’s mission to empower immigrant women, they unanimously decided to contribute their funds to support the cause.
The donated funds are designated to support the education of marriage immigrant women and the operation of learning programs for their children.
"We are deeply grateful for the generous donation from the Environmental Bureau officials," said Kim Hyung-soo, Board Chair of the Siheung Multicultural Mom School. "This act of sharing goes beyond a simple donation; it is a warm gift that brings hope and courage to mothers and children in multicultural families."
Yang Soon-pil, Director of the Environmental Bureau, added, "I am delighted that we could gather our hearts and contribute to such a meaningful cause. I hope this will serve as a small boost to help these mothers provide better educational support for their children's healthy growth."
About the Siheung Multicultural Mom School
Established in 2018, the Siheung Multicultural Mom School provides specialized education for immigrant women, including preparation for elementary school equivalency exams, Korean language and culture courses, and programs to strengthen parenting and child-tutoring skills.
The school operates entirely on volunteer work and charitable donations, ensuring that every cent of funding is directed toward educational costs. Currently in its 14th cohort, the program has become a vital pillar in helping multicultural families settle stably into the local community. By equipping mothers with the tools to communicate effectively with their children's schools and support their academic journey, the school plays a crucial role in bridging the gap for families who may face linguistic or cultural barriers in the traditional school system.
This collaborative effort highlights the growing commitment of local government agencies in Siheung to foster an inclusive, multicultural-friendly city. As the number of multicultural families continues to rise in South Korea, such community-driven support systems are increasingly essential in ensuring the healthy growth of global talents and the long-term integration of immigrant communities.
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