National Child Protection Agency

Abuse from his stepfather left visible scars on a 13-year old boy. He was stabbed with a knife in his shoulder and arm, beaten with a piece of glass and bashed on his head with a pipe. Even worse than the physical scars were the emotional ones.

The boy’s sister was physically and sexually abused by the stepfather, and as a result needed two abortions before she turned 16.

In spite of the obvious evidence of abuse, their stepfather denied all allegations. The brother and sister were too frightened to seek help, until the National Child Protection Agency eventually persuaded them that they deserved a chance at a brighter future. The sister is currently hospitalized for treatment of the mental abuse she suffered, and the brother is living at the Child Protection Agency shelter supported by Amway Korea.

Filled with distrust and fear, the boy constantly quarreled with other children when he arrived at the shelter. He reacted to the teachers with violence and curses, giving them a very hard time as they tried to help him.

But now he is now getting the chance to be a normal healthy child through Amway Korea supported-services such as tutoring, cooking lessons, athletics and field trips. The teachers' love and attention, which planted in his mind the idea that this world is a lot better than he has experienced, is beginning to change his thoughts and attitudes.

Now, one year since he moved to the shelter, he has changed beyond recognition. When he first arrived, he said that he would grow up to be a gangster. Now, he politely asks the teacher how he could become a social worker to help other people, the way people have helped him.