Korean women shop for public cause at Mela

For Hera Young, Lisa, Lee Evn Young and other Korean women the weekend shopping began on Friday on a special note.

These women did not shop for themselves but for a noble cause.

And the cause was charity and donation. The occasion was the Mela (fair) organised at the Gurgaon office of the Korean Association in India on November 30.

And on the sale were used and fresh garments, shoes, puppy food, toys, kitchen accessories, stationery, books, oxygen masks, carriage bags, cosmetics, paintings and other household items, all donated by the members of Missy India – group of vibrant, active and young Korean women.

The Mela aimed at raising funds for the poor children to help them get education and welfare activities being undertaken by the Korean women.

Hera Young – a Korean beauty expert working at South Point Mall on Golf Course Road made a purchase of about Rs. 3000.

“I bought one red-coloured suitcase, dog food, costume, cosmetic items, and some other accessories for daily usage. Mela offered me an opportunity to serve the poor children as I cannot go to them directly. Mela gave me an opportunity to help them,” Hera said.

Likewise, Lisa bought a painting made by a Missy India member and other household products including dining table coasters.

“I also bought bowties for my 8-year old son. I also happened to donate some items such as books, shoes, and toys here for the Mela,” Lisa added.

Other Missy India members who donated their household items for the Mela included Kyong Hwa Moon, Huijin Jeong, Song-ee Shin, Che-Hwan Shin, Moyeon Chung, Eunjoo Park. Nanjung Jung, Heejung Park, Hyojin Jeong, Jung Mi Lee, Erica Jung and Eunyoung Jung.

Special efforts came from members like Moyeon Chung and Song-ee Shin as Chung created paintings for the Mela while Song stitched hand-made cotton carry bags.

According to Eunyoung Jung, the president of Missy India group, the Mela which was organized by them for the first time as an experiment was a great success.

“Going by the huge response from the Korean community, we have decided to make Mela an annual affair and organize it every year. This also offers the women to interact, socialize and plan better for the philanthropic projects,” she said.

Su Mi Woo, the director of the Korean Association in India said that the entire office of the association was converted into a marketplace that had on display the items donated by the Korean women. She said that the Mela attracted a huge number of people and it was a great success. Entire proceeds from the sales of items would be used for the charity purpose.