SEOUL, March 20 (Korea Bizwire) – The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday that it is doubling the size of its welfare initiatives for the city’s homeless this year – from 1,506 individuals in 26 programs in 2016 to 3,200 in 30 welfare programs.
The Heemang (Hope) Frame, a photography academy for the homeless launched in 2012, is Seoul’s most iconic homeless aid program. Starting this year, top graduates from the academy will be given the chance to serve as official photographers for the city, taking photos of the capital with different themes each month and receiving payment for their work, officials said.
Apart from the city’s existing programs, the metropolitan government is hosting special events and performances this year for the homeless to show off their newfound talents, including an athletics competition, music festival, and first aid competition.
A total of 577 million won ($511,026) will be invested in the programs this year.
Image Credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
