• Teach North Korean Refugees

    Teach North Korean Refugees (TNKR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping refugees find their own voice. Volunteer today and help us make a difference in the refugee community.

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TNKR in USA Today

What We Do

Individualized English Tutoring

TNKR helps match North Korean refugees with volunteer native and fluent English-speaking tutors for private, personalized study sessions.

One-on-One Speech Coaching

TNKR offers refugees the chance to work with native English-speaking coaches in order to better their public speaking, presentation, and writing skills.

Fundraising

As a nonprofit organization, TNKR uses fundraising to expand its programs and host events for the refugees. Volunteers or other individuals can contribute to the cause through online crowdsourcing, fundraisers, and personal donations.

Accomplishments

A Helping Hand

To date, TNKR has helped 348 refugees improve their English and public speaking skills through 1-on-1 lessons with volunteer tutors. Many students return to study through TNKR again, and the waiting list of refugees eager to learn continues to grow.

In Their Own Words

Three of TNKR’s North Korean ambassadors and students have published memoirs in English: Yeonmi Park (“In Order to Live”), Eunsun Kim (“A Thousand Miles to Freedom”) and Sungju Lee (“Every Falling Star”).

Furthering the Dialogue

In March 2016, TNKR co-hosted the first International Volunteers Workshop in Seoul, an event aimed at educating the public on the human rights violations occurring in North Korea and the ways in which volunteers can help refugees.

TNKR Global Education Center

In July 2016, we established the Teach North Korean Refugee Global Education Center in order to connect refugees with services geared towards aiding their transition to life outside of North Korea.

Global Advocacy

As of 2017, TNKR refugee members have delivered more than 50 public speeches in Korea, the USA, the United Kingdom, India, Nepal, and China. By organizing and promoting speaking events, TNKR provides a platform that allows refugees to share their stories with a global audience.

Collaborations

TNKR has partnered with several other organizations since its founding in 2013, including the Shin and Kim law firm, The Korea Times, Korea Development Bank, the Skees Family Foundation, the World Education Foundation, the Atlas Network and the Serpentem Scholarship Mission Foundation.

In the Community

“How can I Help North Koreans? Here’s My Plan!” English Speech Contest

International Volunteers Workshop

Speaking at the Osan U.S. Air Force Base

Meeting with the German Club in Seoul

44th English Matching Session

Interview with the Unification Media Group

In The Press