A seed of giving will grow into a thriving tree of philanthropy.

What is Philanthropy Education?

Launched in 2003, Philanthropy Education aims to nurture philanthropic impulses in upcoming generations. The program aims to teach our children -who are growing used to doing everything, even playing, alone- the joys of sharing and companionship. Philanthropy education seeks to develop new generations of children who will turn away from self-centeredness to build a more compassionate society. Philanthropy education is based on the belief that open hearts, not physical power or material things, are what truly make a difference.

Philanthropy education is based on the belief that open hearts, not physical power or material things, are what truly make a difference.

 

 

Philanthropy education...

...helps children feel connected to other members of society.
...hopes to raise children to be able to reach out in solidarity to their neighbors.
...encourages children to help others purely for the joy of giving, rather than out of sympathy.
...helps children acquire the habit of giving so that they practice 365 days a year, not just on special occasions.
...is not monolithic. The Center pursues pedagogy in which all participants work together to identify and develop improved methods of philanthropy education.

Four Messages of Giving

1. Giving can change the world!
2. Giving means empathy and solidarity!
3. Giving is fun!
4. Giving is an easy and natural habit.

What are the Apples in a Seed Center for Philanthropy?

"You can count the seeds in an apple, but you can’t count the apples in a seed."
-   from The Company We Keep: Reinventing Small Business for People, Community, and Place by John Abrams

The Apples in a Seed Center for Philanthropy was named to promote our efforts to plant seeds of giving among children, who have limitless potential like the future apples waiting within a seed. The Apples in a Seed Center for Philanthropy believes home and school environments can have significant impact on children’s philanthropic experience. Therefore, we strive to plant seeds of giving among children and provide water and sunlight through working with parents and teachers.
The Center for Philanthropy also works with the Advisory Committee, Assistance Committee, and Teachers Group in an effort to maximize the efficacy of philanthropy education.

Advisory Committee

- Chun Sook-ja, Professor, Department of Social Studies, Ewha Womens University
- Hong Soon-hae, Professor, Department of Social Work, Seoul Women’s University
- Won Gi-joon, Director, The Roots Centre, The Hope Institute
- Chun Kuk-jai, Executive Director, Institute of Light Finders
- Jeong Sun-hee, Director, Giving Info & Guide

Assistance Committee

- Yeo Hee-sook, Former elementary school teacher, Author of Reading Class: Guiding Reading and Debates in Class
- Lee Sang-hee, Poet and picture book writer
- Lee Kyu-chul, Teacher, Sung Moon High School
- Jeong Yu-jin, Teacher, Wooi Elementary School

Teachers Group

15 elementary school teachers come together to study philanthropy education and practice philanthropy in the classroom.

What does the Center for Philanthropy do?

-Philanthropy Camp for Children

Every summer, the Center holds a philanthropy camp for 4-6th grade elementary school students. Through group activities with new friends, children can have fun experiencing philanthropy and learn that giving is a powerful means to bring about beautiful changes.
Any 4-6th graders who are interested in learning about giving can participate.

-Youth Philanthropy Club 

Adolescence is a critical period in the development of identity. The members hope to learn the true meaning of giving over the course of planning and practicing philanthropy. Any teenagers who seek to get more actively engaged in philanthropic activities are welcome. 

-Teacher Training Program

The Center for Philanthropy hosts a teacher training program every summer for elementary school teachers who are interested in philanthropy education. This program helps teachers to understand philanthropy as well as to learn how to integrate philanthropy education into classroom activities. Teachers can also learn a number of fun ways to practice philanthropy with children. All educators who aspire to teach altruism are invited.

-Uh-keh-dong-mu(어깨동무) Teacher Training Program

Uh-keh-dong-mu is Korean for “arms around each other’s shoulders.” The Uh-keh-dong-mu Teacher Training, started in 2006, is a program for teachers who provide care and education to children at community child centers or non-profit after-school programs. It is recommended for teachers working outside the public school system who are looking for effective programs for after-school environments.

-Parental Education 

The Center for Philanthropy provides special lectures on philanthropy for parents. Parents come with their children to learn about the meaning and practice of philanthropy. It is recommended for parents who hope to raise compassionate children.


-Overseas Partnership

Learning to Give in the United States is a collaboration of the Council of Michigan Foundation with a number of organizations, all striving to pass on the philanthropic tradition to future generations. This group develops educational programs which include the theory and history of giving and volunteering as well as the importance of the non-profit sector. It also develops lessons and materials about philanthropy. The Apples in a Seed Center for Philanthropy has a cooperative partnership with LTG as part of an effort to further develop philanthropy education.


★Giving Diary and Giving Piggybank

Children who participate in the Center’s philanthropic programs are given a Giving Diary and Piggybank. Inside the Giving Diary are diary pages and interesting stories about philanthropy, along with content that can help children plan and practice giving. Children also love the stickers included to decorate their diary and piggybank. Teachers and parents are advised to read the Giving Diary carefully before helping children use these simple and fun materials. Children who return full piggybanks to the Center are given a Certificate of Donation.

Korean Website: www.nanumedu.org

Example of philanthropy education that can be done in class:

“Find the Tti-at” Game
'Ttiat' (띠앗) in Korean refers to the bond between siblings, or the sibling-like bond between close friends. The Ttiat Game originates from a Korean TV show where participants search for an anonymous benefactor. The game allows children to have fun and while providing a lesson in philanthropy education.

To play the Game
The objective of the Tti-at game is to find out who the mysterious benefactor is. Once the students are divided into two teams, cards are distributed to everyone (with one labeled tti-at). The student who picks the tti-at is the anonymous benefactor. The benefactor e-mails a list of ten missions he or she will complete during the next two weeks. Once the teacher approves the missions, the benefactor begins his or her secret missions and the two teams try to guess who the benefactor is. Guesses are posted on notes in the back of the classroom. An example of a note: “I, Seo-Yeon, think Hye-Rin is the tti-at because I saw her cleaning up the milk spilled at lunch. When the two weeks are up, the teams nominate their guesses and the benefactor is revealed. The team who guesses correctly wins, and the tti-at writes a note describing his or her experience as a mysterious benefactor.

Da-Hoon’s Ten Missions:

1. Explain to Soo-Woong when he has hard time understanding class.
2. Help Soon-Ryung with history.
3. Play with every classmate.
4. Help clean up after lunch.
5. Compliment Jin-Wook.
6. Clean up after Art class (recycle).
7. Help Chi-Min, the transfer student, to settle in.
8. Protect girl classmates from the teasing boys.
9. Help police officers