Polishing off lessons on nails
Published: 23 Nov. 2009, 20:35
There are different types of programs to help expats adjust to living in Korea, ranging from language and Korean cooking classes to volunteer work opportunities.
But most programs are learning-based and for multiracial married couples, especially foreign wives married to Korean husbands, and there are few opportunities where they can use the skills that they pick up in classes.
That’s why Garak Social Welfare Center in Songpa District, southern Seoul, offered nail art tutorial sessions for four months from June to wives of expats married to Koreans.
Now eight out of 20 participants who have completed the sessions work at a temporary nail art shop at Garak Social Welfare Center where they do freehand nail art, anything from intricate designs to tiny flowers all in, of course, a range of colors.
The women are from China, the Philippines, Indonesia and Russia.
They have been hired as contract workers for four months, and the center pays 600,000 won ($518.05) to each worker per month.
The program is sponsored by the Ministry of Gender Equality.
The price of nail art is free for seniors and volunteer workers and costs 2,000 won for other customers, still, much cheaper than the market price of 12,000 won, according to Han Ji-eun, a career consultant at Garak Social Welfare Center.
The eight women work in teams. Four work at the welfare center four days a week while the rest work at hair salons and district offices from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Each nail artist sees three to four customers a day.
It was a hectic morning on Nov. 20 at Garak Social Welfare Center for the four nail artists. The shop was packed with customers.
Jennylyn Lacsa, a newlywed Filipina who came to Korea in March this year, is expecting her first child next year.
She takes Korean classes in the welfare center and heard that the center offers jobs for nail art.
As a way to protect her baby from the fumes of the chemicals used in nail work, Lacsa wears a mask at work.
“Drawing flowers and dots with a small brush and dotting pen is the hard part because I’m not good at drawing,” Lacsa said. “So during the tutorial sessions, I practiced on my own nails and my classmates’ and one time I polished my sister-in-law’s nails, and she really liked it.”
When asked if it was hard for her to come all the way to the center with her pregnancy, she said it wasn’t such a big deal.
“My home is just five minutes away by foot and that’s not too much of a hassle,” Lacsa said, adding that it was far tougher to speak in Korean.
“I’m new here, but I will keep up my work and someday, two to three years later, I want to get a job and working at a nail art shop is on my list as well,” she said.
Park La-na, a Russian with a Korean father and a Russian mother, is regarded as a big sister among the nail artists.
Park said when she came to Korea 15 years ago, there weren’t many expats in Korea and so programs tailored to their needs were very scarce.
“When my customers tell me they are satisfied with my work, that’s the most worthwhile experience,” Park said.
Shim Bok-sun, an 80-year-old woman, said she’s a regular.
“I lost my husband 35 years ago and I’ve lived alone because we didn’t have children,” Shin said. “I’ve never been treated so well with someone gently polishing my nails. I feel very grateful.”
Jeong Hae-suk, a 65-year-old, said she feels young when she gets her nails polished and decorated here.
“My grandchildren said my nails look really pretty and they asked me to take regular care of them,” Jeong said.
By Kim Mi-ju [[email protected]]
But most programs are learning-based and for multiracial married couples, especially foreign wives married to Korean husbands, and there are few opportunities where they can use the skills that they pick up in classes.
That’s why Garak Social Welfare Center in Songpa District, southern Seoul, offered nail art tutorial sessions for four months from June to wives of expats married to Koreans.
Now eight out of 20 participants who have completed the sessions work at a temporary nail art shop at Garak Social Welfare Center where they do freehand nail art, anything from intricate designs to tiny flowers all in, of course, a range of colors.
The women are from China, the Philippines, Indonesia and Russia.
They have been hired as contract workers for four months, and the center pays 600,000 won ($518.05) to each worker per month.
The program is sponsored by the Ministry of Gender Equality.
The price of nail art is free for seniors and volunteer workers and costs 2,000 won for other customers, still, much cheaper than the market price of 12,000 won, according to Han Ji-eun, a career consultant at Garak Social Welfare Center.
The eight women work in teams. Four work at the welfare center four days a week while the rest work at hair salons and district offices from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Each nail artist sees three to four customers a day.
It was a hectic morning on Nov. 20 at Garak Social Welfare Center for the four nail artists. The shop was packed with customers.
Jennylyn Lacsa, a newlywed Filipina who came to Korea in March this year, is expecting her first child next year.
She takes Korean classes in the welfare center and heard that the center offers jobs for nail art.
As a way to protect her baby from the fumes of the chemicals used in nail work, Lacsa wears a mask at work.
“Drawing flowers and dots with a small brush and dotting pen is the hard part because I’m not good at drawing,” Lacsa said. “So during the tutorial sessions, I practiced on my own nails and my classmates’ and one time I polished my sister-in-law’s nails, and she really liked it.”
When asked if it was hard for her to come all the way to the center with her pregnancy, she said it wasn’t such a big deal.
“My home is just five minutes away by foot and that’s not too much of a hassle,” Lacsa said, adding that it was far tougher to speak in Korean.
“I’m new here, but I will keep up my work and someday, two to three years later, I want to get a job and working at a nail art shop is on my list as well,” she said.
Park La-na, a Russian with a Korean father and a Russian mother, is regarded as a big sister among the nail artists.
Park said when she came to Korea 15 years ago, there weren’t many expats in Korea and so programs tailored to their needs were very scarce.
“When my customers tell me they are satisfied with my work, that’s the most worthwhile experience,” Park said.
Shim Bok-sun, an 80-year-old woman, said she’s a regular.
“I lost my husband 35 years ago and I’ve lived alone because we didn’t have children,” Shin said. “I’ve never been treated so well with someone gently polishing my nails. I feel very grateful.”
Jeong Hae-suk, a 65-year-old, said she feels young when she gets her nails polished and decorated here.
“My grandchildren said my nails look really pretty and they asked me to take regular care of them,” Jeong said.
By Kim Mi-ju [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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