Posted by Clay Powers
on August 4, 2009, 1:46 pm
75.28.153.106
To the Profesh Community,
I just came across this network through Ode Magazine's website and am intrigued and encouraged by the goals mentioned in the brief description. I am not sure what this message board is typically used for, but I hope that investors and others whose minds are constantly working toward making an impact around the world will find our work encouraging.
My name is Clay and I work with a humanitarian organization based in Los Angeles called Liberty in North Korea, or LiNK. We are dedicated to aiding North Korean refugees where they can be found and mobilizing grassroots awareness campaigns to raise the profile of the human rights and refugee crisis of North Korea. If you are not too familiar with North Korea, please take a look at our website: http://linkglobal.org/learn/nk101.html
Two of our primary projects are the operation of overseas shelters which harbor refugees until they can be granted asylum in a welcoming nation, and our Liberty House campaign where we help NK refugees transition into a new life.
North Koreans are leaving their homes because there is not enough food, healthcare, or economic opportunity. It is a crime, however, to leave North Korea without government consent whatever the reason, so the minute they cross the border, they are deemed criminals. The only country directly accessible to North Koreans is China. However, China does not recognize North Koreans as refugees and pursues them to send them back to NK where they are imprisoned or even executed for leaving the country.
In our underground shelters in China and southeast Asia, refugees are kept safe and out of compromising situations such as repatriation, sex trafficking and manipulative labor agreements. Through the Liberty House program, after refugees have been resettled in South Korea, the U.S., or other nation, LiNK maintains relationships with them to ensure that they are acclimating to their new home as well as possible.
For those of you in this group who have expressed the desire to help affect positive change, we at LiNK are always open to potential partnerships that will empower people to respond to the crisis facing North Korea. If you have ideas or interest in partnering with us for funding or awareness campaigns, please don't hesitate to email me with questions or comments you might have. Another major event coming up very soon is our 2009 benefit gala in New York city on September 12th. We will be hosting business leaders and influential moguls at The Times Center to celebrate work that has been done on behalf of North Korea, as well as to look ahead and envision what we can do next to increase our impact. Visit our gala webpage to learn more: http://linkglobal.org/gala
Thank you so much for taking the time to read over this. I am so thankful that a network like this exists.
Gratefully,
Clay Powers
Liberty in North Korea
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