“SDC students stand proud as global leaders embracing the world...dedicating themselves to the next generation who have lost hope through service and sharing.”

May 15, 2023, 12:36 pm

SDC raises scholarship fund of over 230 million won through the bazaar event.

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The 11th Angel's Day Chance Bazaar was held on the 29th of April. On this day, Director Seo Dae-cheon, along with students and parents, can be seen shouting words of encouragement. / Photo=SDC International School Academy.

Students from SDC International School in Seoul's Seocho-gu district, who attend Holyseeds Church, have organized a charity event to raise funds for a scholarship program for their peers who cannot afford to study due to financial difficulties.

The Angel Day Chance Bazaar, which took place on April 29th this year, was the 11th event of its kind. The event was attended by over 400 students, parents, and churchgoers, and more than 3,000 visitors from the local and surrounding areas. The event has become so popular that people start lining up before it opens. It is a community festival of sorts in terms of its scale and popularity.

The students and parents of SDC are enthusiastic about helping their friends who cannot afford to study, and the event is aptly named "Angel Day Chance Bazaar." The students serve customers with bright and lively enthusiasm, which is akin to the angels' service. The pastor of Holyseeds Church, Seo Dae-cheon, delivered a sermon titled "Let your daily grace be the source of your daily rejuvenation” based on Romans 8:31, prior to the bazaar. He said that "living a life under the guidance of Jesus Christ, where God's grace prevails, is the source of daily rejuvenation, rather than achieving the goals of the world and the bazaar."

He continued, "God allowed bazaars to exist when Holyseeds Church was founded. Today, God is the owner of the bazaar." He went on to say that "the purpose of the bazaar is not only to sell goods but to run and testify to Jesus Christ, to praise God who makes history through the bazaar, and to testify to the love that Jesus Christ has given me through the bazaar."

Although the one-day Angel Bazaar had a sales target of KRW 150 million, it managed to achieve total sales of over KRW 230 million.

Furthermore, it is remarkable that all the products sold at the bazaar are donated, and the sales are achieved through the students' talent donations. The Angel Day Chance Bazaar is a donation festival where teenagers donate their talents for sales and management, and kind companies donate goods for scholarships. All the proceeds from the festival are donated to the scholarship fund. The students organized the bazaar's planning committee and managed external cooperation, promotion, merchandise sales, site management, and food sales.

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The 11th Angel's Day Chance Bazaar was held on the 29th of last month. Prior to the bazaar, Chairman Seo Dae-cheon and students are participating in the cutting ceremony. / Photo=SDC International School Academy.

Head pastor of Holyseeds Church, and the next generation education leader, Head of SDC International School, Seo Dae-cheon, is the creator behind this project.

Pastor Seo's education philosophy, which provides a purpose and vision for life to young people who have lost hope in the love of Jesus Christ, is unique. He is an excellent education specialist who cultivates global leaders who embrace the world beyond Korea through 5-star education, awakening them to the purpose of study and more. He brought a huge stir by publishing valuable education column 22 times in the Korea Times in 2020, and is currently publishing a column in the same newspaper throughout 2023.

The reason why Pastor Seo started the "Angel Day Chance Bazaar" was to "teach students what sharing is, what it means to be like Jesus, and to hope that the next generation will not become discouraged from the frustration of not being able to study due to a lack of money on this land."

Pastor Seo said, "Through the bazaar, SDC students learn to cooperate, show generosity, and learn patience while acknowledging gratitude through the process of helping their friends, and ultimately, saving and preparing themselves. Unlike the next generation of Korean youth who are exposed to the reality of the education environment in this land, where no one can rest for a single second and where anyone must win to survive, SDC students directly experience many things through this bazaar and practice love."

He continued, "After the bazaar, two things happened. First, they were tired and exhausted, and second, they felt very happy. During the times when they were exhausted and wanted to give up he asked, 'For whom did Jesus die?' and 'For whom should I live?' They come to the conclusion that 'I should live for Jesus' and 'I worked for Jesus today,' and their hardship turns into joy."

He emphasized, "Because we combine studying and the bazaar, students learn how grateful they should be for the environment given to them, and they become more humble, sincere, and serious in their attitude toward life. I am convinced that they will grow up to be responsible adults who realize the love they received from Jesus without value, give value without value, serve others and live together in society."

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Students have taken action to establish a scholarship fund for teenagers who cannot afford to study due to lack of money. SDC student Lauren Yehwa Seo, who served as the external cooperation director (right), Lee Galyun, deputy director of the decoration committee, Oh Seol, deputy director of the planning committee, and SDC student Go Young-in, who serves as the internal and external publicity director, are volunteering in the effort. / Society = SDC International School Academy.

The impressions of the students and parents who participated in the Angel Day Chance Bazaar are noteworthy.

Lauren Yehwa Seo, student of SDC International School Academy, who was in charge of external cooperation at the bazaar, said, "Through the Angel Day Chance Bazaar, I was able to spread the seed of donation for others, rather than living a life where I cannot give for others," and added, "As the director of external cooperation, not all responses were favorable when I tried to attract items for donation, but as I knocked on the door of donation, I saw unexpected acts of kindness from people."

Lauren Yehwa Seo expressed sincere gratitude to all the chairmen, CEOs, and individuals who became the guardian angels of the bazaar for students whose wings were broken and who lost hope due to a lack of money. She said, "I hope that the Angel Day Chance Bazaar will continue until there are no students who lose the opportunity to study, and please support us with a lot of interest and love."

SDC student Go Young-in, who was in charge of internal and external promotion, said, "Through this 11th Angel Day charity bazaar, I realized that teenagers can have a lot of positive influence in this world," and added, "Students took the lead in promoting, planning, and selling, and learned how to share love. I believe that many citizens saw the hope of this era in the enthusiasm and bright faces of our students. I hope that we can be of help, even a little, to friends who cannot study due to lack of money."

Hwang Ye-an, who was in charge of prayer, said, "While preparing for this bazaar, I experienced the feeling of achieving things that I thought were impossible. I was worried if we could unite all the students through prayer, but we gathered as a team and cooperated to prepare and conduct a passionate prayer, so that all the students could have motivation for service." She added, "In addition, students who were afraid to sell in front of people gained confidence through service. Through the students' efforts, I experienced what service leadership looks like."

Jung Ju-ah, who participated as the food distribution director, said, "I became a director for the first time while preparing for the bazaar, which is held every four years. Everything was new, so I was worried at first, but through the process of the bazaar, we learned a lot about service, consideration, and how to work together towards a common goal." She added, "As the Angel Day Chance Bazaar is motivated by the love of Jesus, I hope to practice His love in the future, just like we did today."

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As they prepare for the 11th Angel's Day Chance Bazaar, students cheer on and take commemorative photos. / Photo by SDC International School Academy.

A student named Go Eun-chae, who was in charge of the creative planning, said, "For this year's 'Angel Day Chance Bazaar,' students gathered and spent a lot of time making goods together. Although our study time was reduced by volunteering, we could not complain about not having time to study because we were preparing the bazaar for students who could not study due to lack of money." She also said, "I think we worked harder and even studied more because of this bazaar. We made happy memories by helping each other with vocabulary and preparing for the bazaar while wearing our biz. "

Kim Tae-hwan, the planning director, said, "Every time I saw the harmony and service of all students, young people, and adults, and every fruit being produced one by one, my heart became really warm." He also said, "When I saw all my friends working hard to move goods, beautifully decorating the room like a department store, and organizing and keeping sales records, I wondered where such a place existed in this world. I will remember everything I felt here for over five years and live with gratitude without any regrets. "

Park Ye-won, the goods sales director, said, "From planning and execution of each step of the bazaar, the word 'impossible' did not exist for SDC students as they cooperated to become one, learned how to organize from merchandise placement to organizational chart placement and sales journal, and became each other's strength. I am grateful to have had a valuable experience of helping teenagers with my own hands. Through this bazaar, students spent time learning sacrifice and love, and I am sure that they have grown one step further. "

Park Joo-young, the media director, said, "The Angel Day Chance Bazaar is a bazaar that truly shares love and puts service into practice, which cannot be found anywhere in the world." He continued, "The world is increasingly living for their own benefit rather than giving to others, but the Angel Day Chance Bazaar started as a bazaar to raise scholarship funds for teenagers who cannot study due to lack of money."

She added, "All goods were donated, and the bazaar was realized through students' planning and sales. It was a bazaar that put into practice the spirit of sharing and service. Not only did students sell goods themselves, but they also practiced the spirit of donation by purchasing goods, happily moving towards the idea that their consumption could be a helping hand to someone. " She concluded, "No student hesitated or held back during the bazaar. Rather, they all put in their best effort and worked together to make this a success."

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"Students are taking commemorative photos while preparing for the 11th Angel's Day Chance Bazaar event. / Photo = SDC International School Academy.”

This year, Winghouse (represented by Lee Sang-pil), a specialist in children's character fashion accessories, donated KRW 50 million worth of "Sanni-O Friends" character products and Disney Marvel accessories. Modeunni (represented by Song Young-guk), a specialist in imported tableware, also donated KRW 50 million worth of Boavista pottery dishes. Caron Bio (represented by Jo Jin-hyung) donated C3 hair loss shampoo and mask packs worth KRW 80 million, while Neoplum (represented by Park Chang-su) sent healthy kitchenware by truck. Park Hong-geun Home Fashion (represented by Lee Sun-hee), F&F (represented by Kim Chang-su), Dana Planning (represented by Moon Myung-hee), Winghouse (represented by Lee Sang-pil), and Sea World (represented by Lee Hak-do) donated bedding sets, clothing, children's accessories, and food, without fail every year.

In particular, at this bazaar, vitamins from YP Pharmaceutical (represented by Kim Jae-hoon), Huons (represented by Song Soo-young and Yoon Sang-bae), Nice Pharma (represented by Park Hae-ryong and Park Sang-hoon), Korea Prime Pharma (represented by Hyun Byeong-yong), and Daewoong Bio (represented by Jin Seong-gon), as well as health functional foods such as saw palmetto, were donated in large quantities.

Yeouido Rohas Clinic (Director Kim Kyung-bong), Yeouju Dental Clinic (Director Lee Hyeong-seok), and Able Science Pharma (represented by Kim Jong-hyun) also sent donations.

In addition, special functional cosmetics, functional sunscreens, and hair loss shampoos were donated by Cosplan (represented by Seon Jong-ik), Smed (represented by Lee Jung-woo), BienVie Bio Lab (represented by Seo Sung-hoon), Dream Big Bio (represented by Kang Jin-sik), DMT Bio (represented by Choi Dong-min), and Cosme Chef (represented by Lee Soo-hyang).

Furthermore, over 100 companies and brands, including HANSEF&I (represented by Kim Young-cheol) of the All 4 U brand, The HUE Company (represented by Jung Cheon-woo), Alpiniest brand X-Camp (represented by Lee Ok-sook), Sungchang FNG (represented by Seo Jun-young), DIF (represented by Kim Myung-gyu), Reynolds Korea (represented by Oh Hang-seop), and Wednesday Friday K (represented by Kwon Jun-hyuk), donated clothing, fashion accessories, cosmetics, household goods, health foods, and food items. A Plus Asset (represented by Park Sang-shin), Sosul Jay (represented by Kim Sang-hwa), and Seoul Distribution (represented by Oh Su-cheol) donated scholarships.

Sungseowon (represented by Kim Young-jin), Kooman Publishing (represented by Lee Hyeong-gyu), and Changjo Literature (represented by Im Man-ho) donated books and related items. Dongseo Food, Haitai Confectionery, Kyocera, Adidas, and HBS.

SDC parents and church members also added meaning by making handmade jewelry, chocolate, mom's homemade side dishes, yukgaejang, buchimgae, hotteok, and other instant foods. The food corner at the bazaar was also made up of SDC parents and students, international students, and Holyseeds Church youth group's seed money donations and talent donations.

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On June 7, 2022, students including SDC International School's CEO Seo Dae-chun (center of the first row) paid their respects at the National Seoul Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, in honor of the month of patriotic memorial. /Photo by SDC International School Academy.

Meanwhile, SDC International School Academy located in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, is a subsidiary organization of Holyseeds Church (Pastor Seo Dae-cheon), affiliated with the Joint Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Korea. Holy Seeds means "holy seeds," and this church serves the youth who will lead the next generation as the church's primary mission.

SDC International School Academy educates the next generation of youth as global talents based on Christian values. In 2023, SDC produced a large number of successful applicants to various US universities such as Macalester College, UC Davis, UC Irvine, Lawrence University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Washington, SUNY New Paltz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Dickinson College.

In November 2017, SDC International School Academy students were invited to participate in the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, held at Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall, to support the successful hosting of the event. They hoped for peace on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the world through the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

The opening ceremony and festival were broadcast live by KBS, and SDC students performed on stage with popular singers, receiving warm applause.

In addition, SDC students actively participate in external activities, such as organizing a cultural festival for overseas Korean youth, holding performances at the National Assembly Members' Office Building last year, and participating in a seminar and legal lecture event to prevent school violence held in the National Assembly Members' Office Building.

Last June, during the month of National Patriotic Martyr's Day, they visited the National Seoul Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, to pay their respects. Also, in February of this year, they successfully held a " Concert in honor of the 103rd anniversary of Yu Gwan-sun's patriotic sacrifice."

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On July 25, 2022, many students from SDC International School participated in a seminar and legal lecture event on preventing school violence, held at the National Assembly Member's Office building in Seoul. On that day, attendees including Seo Sam-seok, a member of the National Assembly, Moon Gyu-rye, the representative of Daejeon Regional Prosecutor's Office, and Moon Sang-ju, the director of Koryo Vocational College, took a commemorative photo. / Photo = Student Law Newspaper

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At SDC’s Patriotic Concert commemorating the 103rd anniversary of the death of Yu Gwansun' held on February 11th, SDC students gave an impressive performance of the musical 'Daehan is Alive (Yu Gwansun the Patriot)'. /Photo=SDC International School Academy.