The rapid development and expansion of industrialisation in South Korea between 1960 and 1980, resulted in a vast movement of agricultural workers from the countryside to the fringe of the industrial cities.

These agrarian migrants built themselves board  shacks in the mountain and hill areas creating large slums. The inhabitants of these slums were the low paid workers necessary  to support the expanding industrial economy. In the main they were construction workers, domestic factory workers, street sweepers and the like.

Life in the slums should not be envisaged as that which existed in the Victorian slums of industrial Revolution England. Crime rates are no higher than elsewhere in other areas, there is no fear involved in walking the streets and a sense of community and mutual support very strong.

Nonetheless, low pay and poor housing conditions- several families occupying one small dwelling for example - bring their own forms of deprivation. One of these is that young children, sometimes quite small children, are left at home unattended because both parents are forced to go to work. Alcoholism, a not unexpcted problem, coupled with poor health provision and inadequate educational facilities compound the difficulties of daily life experienced by the large communities of the urban poor.

The Churches were present in the slums, but by and large they confined their role to providing for the spiritual needs of the inhabitants. The Anglican Church had initiated a number of social programmes which met some of the needs but by no means all.

In 1985 Anglican Young People and Theological students gathered together resolved to start something which would make a direct impact on the social conditions affecting the lives of the Minjung or Poorest of the poor. They called the initiative 'The Movement of Sharing.'

In May 1986 they organised a preparatory group to open a House of Sharing. Their first venture began in a small rented house in Sangay Dong in September 1986. It was blessed by Bishop Simon Kim, Bishop of Seoul, in March1987. The Principal work of this first house was the provision of a night school for teen-age workers and an infant house for dual income families.

Seven houses of Sharing, sited in the three Anglican Diocese, now operate. Each  supports a number of programmes and facilities aimed at meeting the specifid social needs of the districts in which they are situated. From a small poverty, such as the protype, House of Sharing can now mean a complex which supports a number of facilities and varied programmes.

These include such things as activities which aim to meet what  is lacking in the inadequate provision of education. Study Rooms to enable students to benefit from the programmes. A Shelter for the homeless youth and a means of enabling those who need counselling for specific problems - e.g. drug abuse - and psychological healing. Add to this cultural acitvities aimed at enriching the lives of young people.

In addition there are Mother's School for the education of illiterate women, who are generally eager to take advantage of the opportunity. Self Support Centres where the unemployed are offered training and given the opportunity to work together.

Underpinning of the work of the many social programmes is the faith of the Christian Comunity. In the early days many involved in the Sharing Movement saw it only in terms of socio-economic advancement through direct democratic action. Gradually they began to realise the importance of the faith in the way they tackled the many social ills with which they had to cope.

As they bacame more involved with the poor the need to express their faith became more apparent and now celebration of Eucharist and other suitable spiritual programmes are part of the Sharing. The fulfiling of the Two Great Commandments lies at the heart of the Sharing Movement.

As the work had developed so has the need for greater funding. In this  the Korean Government and Local Authorities have some part. Whereas in the beginning many parishes appeared indifferent to the Movement now the majority of them find some funds from their own resources. Like all the worthwhile causes, there is alway a need for more from whatever source!

(This is an article written by Fr Michael Davenport for the Morning Calm No 28 February 2002)