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“Create quality education by creating choices for people.”
– Casey Lartigue
Teach North Korean Refugees (TNKR) is a non-profit organization based in Seoul, South Korea that is dedicated to assisting North Korean refugees in transitioning into life outside of North Korea. Co-founders Casey Lartigue and Eunkoo Lee started the organization all the way back in 2013. Since then, TNKR has helped over 400 refugee learners in English, public speaking, career development and other skills needed for them to prepare for their futures. Some learners have even moved onto becoming global leaders and have written books and given TedTalks.
TNKR was chosen to highlight Sustainable Development Goal #4, Quality Education. The goal is to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” As you listen to this episode, you will hear Eunkoo and Casey talk about the hardships many North Korean refugees face when adjusting to life outside of North Korea. It is important that we have organizations like TNKR to advocate and empower them directly with these educational opportunities so that they can gain skills and confidence as students to live a normal life like everyone else.
In this episode you will learn about:
- The importance of respecting the choices and individual autonomy of North Korean refugee learners
- How TNKR upholds their educational philosophy of listening to and centering their students
- Co-founders Eunkoo Lee and Casey Lartigue’s founder journeys and how rewarding it is for them to see TNKR’s direct impact on the refugees
- What to think about when considering a top-down vs. bottom-up approach when structuring and organization to make an impact
- The historical and contemporary context of the Korean peninsula
“You are students. You don’t need to talk about your background. You focus on studying. Please get what you want. Education. Please don’t look back… Look forward and prepare for your future.” – Eunkoo Lee
When it comes to education, every student matters. TNKR is an exemplary organization that highlights why it is so important to listen to students’ needs directly so that they have a voice. The positivity and growth Casey and Eunkoo see in the refugees are a testament of the quality education they receive through TNKR. It takes all of us working collectively to accomplish SDG #4 and when we place the students at the center we can change lives, one student at a time.
“Think Global. Act Local.” – Eunkoo Lee
Do you want to be a part of creating a world where quality education is accessible to everyone? Are you interested in contributing to TNKR’s great work and mission? Even if you are not in Korea, you can help TNKR grow through donations, business partnerships, fundraisers, publicity, tutoring, etc. Just visit their website at lovetnkr.org or you can also find TNKR on Facebook and Twitter.
