"Adoptees Have the Power to Change the World"

http://dc.koreatimes.com/article/20240731/1524164

“Adoptees Have the Power to Change the World”

The non-profit organization ASIA Families, which provides post-adoption services to Korean adoptees and their American adoptive parents, hosted the "Camp Rice" from July 25th to July 27th for a two- night, three-day event. Held under the theme "Sounds of Korea" at the Pearlstone Retreat Center in Reisterstown, Maryland, a total of 106 adoptees and their parents registered to learn about Korea. The keynote speaker, Beth Edgerton-Gabriele, delivered a message encouraging adoptive parents to practice self-care. Additionally, Amber Reed, a Korean adoptee activist in advocating for Asian American rights in New Jersey, emphasized in a special lecture that “Adoptees are the ones who have the superpower to change society.”

The organization’s advisor to the board, Mrs. Chansoo Holly, awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Carolyn Lapiana, a student at Carnegie Mellon University, from the fund established in memory of her husband, Dr. Norman Holly. Participants in the event engaged in various Korean cultural classes, including Korean cooking, Hanji crafts, and games inspired by "Squid Game." They also had hands-on experiences with Korean musical instruments like the Jang-Gu (hourglass drum) and Buk (barrel drum). Lunch included popular Korean dishes such as Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) and Bibim Guksu (spicy mixed noodles), allowing participants to experience Korean food culture. At the closing ceremony, Chung Hwan Kim, a newly appointed minister counselor for the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the Korean embassy, attended and encouraged the attendees, saying, “I will work hard to help adoptees grow healthily and become individuals who can change the world.”

During the closing ceremony, adoptive parents performed a traditional Korean fan dance, teenagers showcased a group drum performance, and children presented a Janggu performance. The event was supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea. (National Center for the Rights of the Child).