Pre-1950 
The creation of orphanages in Korea did not begin
with the Korean War. Some existed even at the turn of the century. For
its historical value we present herewith the information we gathered
on those orphanages that existed prior to 1950. Most of these survived
the war with help from American servicemen and women.
War Period 1950-1954.
This is the period that saw a tremendous growth in
the number of orphanages. Estimates were that over 100,000 homeless
and parentless children were left in the war's wake. By the end of 1954
there were over 400 registered orphanages in the Republic of Korea,
almost all of them sustained in great part by donations from US Armed
Forces personnel. During 1954 the orphanage population was still growing
by over one thousand children a month as children came in off the streets.
Orphans Home of Korea.
This orphanage, founded to receive the children rescued
in the Kiddy Car Airlift, was the largest orphanage in Korea at this
time and became well known in Korea and the United States due to the
on-going support of Col. Dean Hess, USAF.
Manassas Manor.
Manassas Manor is the name of the small orphanage
created by the men of the 326th Communications Reconnaissance Company.
Here is a story of the creation, development and finally the closing
of the orphanage when the children were moved to the Seoul Sanitarium
and Hospital Orphanage. It provides a close look at how orphanages were
created to meet a dire need and how they became institutionalized.
Seoul Sanitarium and Hospital
Orphanage.
This orphanage was one element in the Seventh Day
Adventist compound located to the east of Seoul. Having the hospital
and the T.B. Sanitarium as part of the same complex was extremely beneficial
to the well being of the children as they received medical care far
better than most every other orphanage in Korea at the time. About 50
children were moved here when the orphanage run by the soldiers of the
326th Communication Reconnaissance Company closed their little orphanage
called Manassas Manor. While this orphanage existed over 1,000 children,
at one time or another, called it "home".
Christian Children's Fund.
This organization, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia,
was one of the major entities working with the creation and sustenance
of orphanages in Korea from the beginning of the war. By 1954 they were
helping support children in over 100 orphanages.
Holt Foundation
While the activities of the Holt family that began
the large scale adoption of orphans from Korea began after the Korean
War ended we include here a few items from their early years that we
have come across in our research.
Orphanages, 1955 and later.
The involvements of US armed forces with the orphans
and orphanages did not end with the end of the war and, in fact, continues
to this day. Here we present some material telling of this continuing
concern with the children of Korea by US Forces Korea.
List of orphanages in the
data base.
Type the name of the orphanage
you want more information on in the “Search” element and
every article and photo identified with that orphanage will be listed
for you. Check the list for various possible spellings of the orphanage
you are looking for.
