We are so grateful for the incredible support of the Friends of Dulwich (FoD), a volunteer parent association at Dulwich College Seoul, an international school based in Seoul. This year, KKOOM was honored to be their philanthropic recipient at their annual FoD Gala, which also celebrated the school’s 15th anniversary.
FoD raised 4,500,000 KRW (~$3,280 USD) for KKOOM, a truly generous gift that will make a real difference in the lives of the children we serve. Part of the funds came through a ticket raffle, with half going directly to KKOOM and the other half awarded to a lucky winner. In a beautiful moment of generosity, the winner was so moved by our director’s speech that they chose to donate their winnings back to KKOOM. We are deeply touched by their kindness.
These funds will go directly toward KKOOM programming, including STEAM and English lessons, our upcoming summer camp, and water activities for children from two children’s homes.
Read Leah’s full speech below.
Leah’s Dulwich Gala Speech
꿈. In Korean, this word means dream. This word is the literal heartbeat of our organization.
Hello, my name is Leah Garlock and I’m the Executive Director of KKOOM.
Tonight, I want to invite you on a quick trip down memory lane. Think back to when you were young, maybe the same age as your kids.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
For me it changed constantly, veterinarian, Egyptologist, fashion designer, journalist. The dreams kept changing, but something stayed the same: I always believed another dream was possible, because I had the support to keep imagining.
That’s what KKOOM gives to over 200 children in Korea’s social welfare system.
While working with KKOOM, one moment early on deeply changed how I understand this work.
A few years ago, we took a group of girls to a STEM Camp we designed in Seoul as part of our Girls’ Empowerment and Mentorship, or GEM Program. At the very beginning of the camp, during a presentation on U.S. colleges and scholarships, I noticed the girls had almost completely checked out.
Later, they told us honestly that an opportunity like this felt impossible. They couldn’t picture themselves abroad, let alone studying on a college campus. Hearing this hit me hard. We had provided something we thought was powerful and inspiring, but instead we had overlooked a vital step. You can’t reach for a dream you can’t yet see yourself in.
Yet the camp continued, and we kept showing up. Day after day, we learned from women CEOs and STEM panelists, visited companies and took tours, and created our own STEM experiments.
By the end of the week, something noticeable had shifted. Back at the Airbnb on one of the last few days, the girls started playing pretend. Completely on their own. Each one had a role in an imaginary company, the CEO, intern, office worker.
They were acting out the careers they’d spent the week learning about, and for the first time, we saw them placing themselves inside those futures. It was one of the most magical moments I’ve ever encountered.
"They were acting out the careers they'd spent the week learning about, and for the first time, we saw them placing themselves inside those futures."
That’s what KKOOM does. We don’t just fund programs, we create the sparks that make dreaming feel possible. Working directly with the children’s homes we fill the gaps that exist between a child’s circumstances and their potential.
And tonight, you are helping us bridge these gaps. Your support, in any amount, helps make dreams possible.
On behalf of our board, our team, and every child we work with, thank you to Dulwich College Seoul, Friends of Dulwich, and each of you for choosing to invest in the dreams of the children we serve.
꿈. It started with a word. And with your support, it becomes their future.
