Story 3. Special adoptee's great challenge story : The Onion Boys

' The Onion boy's great challenge '

Hello, We are 'The Onion Boys' !

We are the “The Onion Boys.” It is a parody to the Olympic team “The Garlic Girls,” however, it does have some meaning to it: The Korean word for Onion 양파, but in a special way, if 입 is added, it makes “입양파, ” adoptee group. While our group didn’t grow up together, on contrary we come from far flung places, we are still all brought back together to our country of birth. That is probably what unites us, our shared roots, hence why we wanted to find a name that paid homage to our adopted backgrounds. While playing with orders in Korean, I wanted something that sounded like Garlic girls, but with a fun twist. Isn't it meaningful? 😊

WHO ARE WE?

Jeremy,Simon, Mark and John

The Onion boys, Challenge 'together' ?

Q.How did you learn about Oxfam Trailwalker in Korea, and what made you participate?

Jeremy
I first heard about Oxfam from the organizer of the Oxfam Trailwalker. I was visiting a Garmin shop in Dongdaemun called Finisher Club, and met the organizer there. He had introduced the events he was doing Ironman Gurye and Oxfam Trailwalker. I hadn’t thought much of it at the time because it seemed pretty difficult and where would I find 3 other people that would also do it with me. But a few months later I found 3 others and am excited to take up this challenge.

Simon
Jeremy, the ever yes-man to take part in any physical contest, spotted the event in one of his favourite stores in Korea. When we was looking for partners in crime, he knew immediately who to turn to, and that’s when I got the call from him detailing the event. :)

John
Mark said they needed a 4th person, and since he knew I have outdoor experience, we’re both, BSA – Eagle Scouts, he asked if I wanted to join.

Q.How are you preparing for the trailwalker? Is there any special team/individual training or any special episodes to share as you prepare for the event?

We will prepare mostly individually as we are all pretty active. We each do strength training at gyms, or outdoor running. And some of us have been participating in other events, such as the Challenge Race, Seoul Relay Marathon, Dong-A Marathon, and RunXRun’s City Trail Race..

Q.Please share your team’s expectations from the 2018 Oxfam Korea Trailwalker. Could you tell us what would be different to you, before/after this event?

John
I did ultralight backpacking with my older brother on the Pacific Crest Trail in California, so I am looking forward to this trek with the Onion Boys!

Jeremy
My expectation is for a challenging course, that I’m hoping we can finish within 24hrs. After 100km I will have a new view on what Ultra runners experience and whether or not I would like to try an Ultra run later.

Simon
I hope to challenge myself, and all in the name of a good cause. But most of all I hope to have fun while doing so, and solidify friendships, 4 (onion) boys on a journey, similar to the 1986 classic 'Stand By Me'.

If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall

Or the mountain should crumble to the sea

I won't cry, I won't cry, no,

I won't shed a tear Just as long as you stand, stand by me

- The part of lyrics, OST ‘Stand by Me’ Ben E. King / Movie ‘Stand by Me’

What is '나눔(Giving my hands)' for 'The onion boys'?

Q.Oxfam Trailwalker is special because it is not only a team challenge to walk 100km but it is also a means to share stories and encourage supporters to participate in the fundraising. How meaningful is this to your team and is there any specials story to share as you raise funds?

Simon
I know Oxfam well as I grew up and spent most of my life in the UK, where the charity was found and is headquartered. While I thought the whole Haiti incident was a shame, and a huge stain on the organization, I’m glad that this is brought up here in this questionnaire. Firstly, I cannot hide my disappointment after reading about what happened. I’ve always had an interest in development, which is one reason why I studied a masters in Anthropology and Development Studies in London. I always viewed Oxfam in high regard, but after this, I can only hope that they take effective change in their management. I stayed on for this trail walker event despite this incident because I still believe Oxfam can be a force for good, despite this setback.

Jeremy
I volunteered with an orphanage in Bupyeong. As well as donating and helping with charity efforts in the United States: The Hatedust Project and Steel Flame. These two companies in particular have helped with charities like Make a Wish, The Ronald Mcdonald House, Cystic Fibrosis, Toys for Tots, as well as with individuals. The community around them is more like a family that takes care of each other and supports each other. We signed up with the Oxfam Trailwalker just before the negative news hit about the Oxfam incidents. So it has been a little difficult to raise funds, since the name is synonymous as to what happened recently.

John
I currently work for an NGO which assists adoptees returning to Korea. Although, there sometimes is a bad apple in the organization, individuals who are truly dedicated to philanthropy are still willing to give as long as there is accountability.

Q.Walking a 100km is a big a challenge for any individual. It is not only physically challenging, to some participants Oxfam Trailwalker holds a special meaning or significance. Do you have any special personal challenge to share? What does Oxfam Trailwalker mean to you and your team?

Simon
My parents have always taught me to be conscientious, and care about others, especially those less well off. This is my actual first “sports” fundraising event however, and I’m happy to take the challenge with a group of good friends.

John

Philanthropy is in my blood. I was very much involved in helping others in need. My late father in America taught me well to put others first. While serving at Gimpo Air Field in the 1960’s he also spent many hours volunteering at the orphanages on his time off. This was even before I was born and sent to America for adoption. This May will be 10 years since he laid to rest. In fact, he was a logistics coordinator for the American Red Cross (ARC). Two hours before he suffered from a heart attack, he was performing ARC duties. He was procuring housing/logistics for families who were just displaced from their homes after a fire burnt the complex to the ground. He put was doing what he loved before he passed. So I will say, I’m doing this walk for him, for all that he did for others before himself. .

Jeremy
For myself, since moving to Korea my schedule was always very busy, and I didn’t have much free time to enjoy training for races. This year my schedule is more “normal” and I’m trying to enjoy and do things I wasn’t able to before. So I want to challenge myself with what I can. I recently did my first marathon with little training. And while my time wasn’t very fast, I finished despite some people saying I shouldn’t do it. Now I’m looking forward to passing the 100km mark with OxFam. And later I would like to challenge myself to an Ironman.

"While money does help a lot in charity efforts, I would recommend people to try to volunteer their time as well.
You can really positively affect those you help by physically being there, especially for children."

From. The Onion boys

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Story 3. Special adoptee's great challenge story : The Onion Boys

' The Onion boy's great challenge '