Gwangju has several agencies that would love to have extra volunteer help. Keep in mind though, for individuals with an E2 visa, you need to gain permission from your employer and register with immigration in order to volunteer legally.

The following are short profiles of five volunteer opportunities in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do.

Gwangju International Center (GIC) 광주국제교류센터

Get Involved! GIC is a non-profit organization that provide services to international residents in Gwangju, promotes cultural exchange in the community, and trains local Korean youth in an intercultural environment. GIC is always looking for volunteers to join and help the community.

Areas of Volunteering: Gwangju News(writers, proofreaders), GIC Talk, GIC Library, Gwangju Guidebook, and More!

For more information, please contact GIC.

• Address: 5th Floor, Jeonil building, Geumnam-no 1(il)-ga, Gwangju 501-758
• Website: www.gic.or.kr
• E-mail: gic@gic.or.kr
• Tel: 062) 226-2732~4

Sung Bin Orphanage for Girls 성빈 애육원

Sung Bin Orphanage for Girls is home to roughly 50 girls aged 1 to 18. This facility gives food, lodging, and clothing. Also it provides basic school supplies and instruction. Sung Bin Orphanage is looking for long-term volunteers, available at least twice a month (saturdays) to be both a friend and an English teacher to girls aged 7 to 14.

Meet every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in front of downtown Starbucks.

For more information, please contact Al Barnum at al_barnum@yahoo.com

Mudeung Dream Garden 무등 육아원 (http://www.mdkids.org)

Mudeung Dream Garden is home to children aged 2 to 18. Its mission is to nurture the children spiritually as well as physically and to help them become independent and contributing members of their community. Mudeung Dream Garden is looking for volunteers to share their talents and time with children.

For more information, please contact Eunkang Chung at silverkang@hotmail.com, 010-4744-3762

UNESCO KONA Volunteers 유네스코 코나 자원봉사자 (http://cafe.daum.net/konavolunteers)

UNESCO KONA Volunteers is an organization that helps underprivilged kids by teaching English through storybooks.  They constantly seek long term volunteers to help orphans and children from low income families on Sunday afternoons. Volunteers who are interested in pracicing their Korean are welcome to stay with the children at the center for a short cultural exchange.

For more information, please contact Youngim Kim at konastorybookcenter@gmail.com, 062-434-9887