Expats give Haiti a helping hand

Staff at Tomatillo restaurant last week cooked up a storm to support victims of the Haiti earthquake. By Cassandra O’Connor

The aroma of Mexican spices and the sound of raucous hungry customers filled Tomatillo restaurant on Thursday. But this was no ordinary business day for the restaurant chain, which has branches in Gwanghwamun and Yeoksam. Posters of starving children in Haiti lined the walls and staff donned black Unicef shirts as the restaurant hosted a charity event to raise funds for victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Business owner Yoo Sungho was shocked and horrified when he first saw images of children in Haiti who did not even have access to basic necessities like food.

“As the father of a 5-year-old son I was really sad to see the children in Haiti having difficulties from the earthquake and so we wanted to do something to help them,” Yoo said.

Tomatillo Mexican Restaurant promised to donate their total revenue, not just profits, from their two restaurants, raising over 5 million won ($4,280). The funds were given to Unicef, which supports child health and nutrition, education and access to clean water and sanitation.

Business Development Manager Stephen Reyes explained that “Unicef was the best fit for our restaurant and our goals because they focus on children and their families. They were really thrilled because Unicef in Korea operates a little differently from Unicef in the United States as they don’t have the infrastructure to deal with larger corporations.”

Popular with the expat community in Seoul, the restaurant had a lot of support from local groups, which helped make the day so successful. Several large orders were taken on the night of the benefit from expat groups who had about it through online media networks including Facebook and Korean food blogs.

One customer, Mike, who works in the area as an English teacher trainer, said that “it is always good for local businesses to do this sort of thing, fundraising for worthy causes such as the children in Haiti.”

Reyes added, “We are just hoping this sparks individual donations, and for other businesses to do the same. We are really one small fish in the pond but we hope this creates some sort of ripple effect.”

These ripples have resonated throughout the expat community. Volunteer group PLUR has organized a benefit concert for Friday called Hands for Haiti.

“People in Haiti are suffering one of the worst disasters to hit a country ever,” Liz Oh, the co-president of the club, said. “Money and aid are pouring in from all over the world, so even here in Korea we need to do our part to help, both now and as they rebuild.”

Jane’s Groove, FF and DGBD in Hongdae have also donated their venues for the event, which has a lineup of several expat and Korean bands. One hundred percent of the cover change will be donated to Save the Children, an international charity working toward the improvement of children’s rights and living standards, currently working in Haiti.

“I wanted to raise a lot of money for Haiti relief and we knew that benefit concerts were some of the most successful fundraising events,” said Oh. “It’s a great way for people to have fun while contributing to a great cause. We think we will raise at least 6 million won. But we like to dream big, so why not 10 million won?”

PLUR was formed in 2007 to give foreigners the opportunity get involved in volunteer work, a task which is often difficult due to language barriers. Oh is trying to provide a solution.

“The crisis in Haiti has received international attention and people are so eager to help, financially or otherwise,” Oh said. “In Korea, many foreigners don’t know how to donate to local charities, so with this event we are trying to make it easy.”

For more information on the PLUR Hands for Haiti concert visit the event Web site at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=269094113061.

Alternatively, Roofers restaurant in Itaewon is hosting a function on Sunday; e-mail event organizer Pamela Munoz at HelpHaitiSeoul@gmail.com for details.

By Cassandra O’Connor Contributing writer [estyle@joongang.co.kr]