I first heard about Kenneth Hash by way of ATEK’s Publicity guy, Dann Gaymer, and John Wurth, the Guyonggido Council Chair. I got in touch with John, and he sent me this article he’d written, and I’m passing it on to you.
You may know that ATEK can’t legally fund-raise above a certain limit; however, they can get word out when people need help.
Teachers in need
In this weeks issue we would like to present a special case for your consideration.
Kenneth Hash is an American from Bloomington, Indiana. He is 46 years old and has been in Korea for almost 12 years now. Ken is currently a middle school teacher in Namdae.
I first came to know Ken in August/September of this year while he was hospitalized for a massive leg infection. Ken was unfortunate enough to get an insect bite in August. Within days Ken was in the hospital with a massive leg infection that required several surgeries and still to this day requires weekly treatments. Ken’s hospitalization lasted for almost a month. It should have been longer.
While Ken was hospitalized his school informed him that he: 1) Would be fired if he did not return to work no later than September 11th, 2009; and 2) That he would not be paid for part or all of the time he was hospitalized. The doctors wanted Ken to remain in the hospital until September 18th, 2009 at the earliest. His school then convinced the doctors to release him early so they could put him back to work. Due to this early release Ken’s illness and treatment are still ongoing and he has endured several complications due to not receiving proper levels of care and treatment.
Because of the seriousness of his illness and the treatment methods required Ken’s out of pocket (after insurance) medical bills have surpassed 3,000,000KRW. This has placed a huge burden on him both mentally and financially, which has only been exacerbated by the actions of his school. To pay the expenses for his treatment Ken has been forced to sell everything he owns and to borrow money from his co-teachers just to be allowed to leave the hospital.
Since first becoming acquainted with Ken I have reflected many times on how easily this could have been me, my wife, or one of our friends. It could just as easily have happened to any one of you.
I am asking our membership to reflect on this story and to consider if it were you. I personally think it is incumbent upon us in the foreigner community to support each other when needed. Who else is there! With this in mind I am asking the members of our province to consider donating some funds to assist Ken. Small contributions of 25,000w-50,000w-75,000w-100,000w would go a long way to alleviating this situation for him. Contributions are very easy to do and can be made directly to Ken via direct deposit to his bank account at NongHyup Bank. The account number is 23508952006259. To contribute simply take this information (the name and bank account number) to your bank and ask them to transfer whatever amount you wish to contribute. I did.
I think we all realize that if you expect to receive help in life you must be willing to also give it. I thank you in advance for your consideration. Any inquiries on this matter may be made directly to John Wurth, Gyeonggido Council Chair, at wurthjt. I would like to personally handle any contacts to Ken to avoid unnecessary stress and burden during this time. Thank you for your understanding.
01/11/2009 at 10:41 pm Permalink
What on Earth has this guy been doing in Korea for the last 12 years that he hasn’t saved up enough money to pay a $3000 hospital bill?
01/11/2009 at 11:26 pm Permalink
The guy has been here 12 years and he can’t cough up 3 million Won for his own health related matters? John Wurth should be ashamed of himself for asking and Ken should have saved some money during that time. Don’t many newbies save and take home about 10 million Won per year? I’d rather not hear a sob story for 3 million Won.
01/11/2009 at 11:30 pm Permalink
I need a tooth implant that will cost 2 million Won, can anyone help me out?
02/11/2009 at 1:14 pm Permalink
JJ:
If your need for a tooth implant were about to cause you to lose your job, and your boss were forcing you back to work even though you needed more treatment, on pain of firing, even though it made you work in constant pain, maybe we’d be hearing from you. For all you know he’s raising a family on his foreign teacher’s salary, and can’t scratch up 3 mill because his daughter had a kidney transplant last year, or he might already have sunk his 12 years of savings into this thing, and is now only asking for help with the difference, which might be dwarfed by what he’s already put in of his own scratch: if you don’t think he needs help, don’t help, but there’s no need to be flip, dismissive or rude about it.
the moderator
02/11/2009 at 6:53 pm Permalink
I always wonder when I hear these stories why, oh why do people not get health insurance? The national health care is ok but it isn’t that great. Samsung (along with others) offers a decent health care insurance package especially for those of us that are going to be in Korea for a long time. I understand this is after the fact, but these stories are becoming more and more common and make me wonder what people think will happen when they get hurt. Will people continue to throw money regardless of the situation? Think ahead people, prepare and secure yourself. Then we can focus on supporting those that are truly in need, perhaps like the above case. Although, without further details it is hard to determine exactly.
I will also add that there are times that people have difficulties coming up with cash on the spot for medical bills…. but anyways. Nothing wrong with looking out for each other, but let’s all be a little responsible too.
02/11/2009 at 7:31 pm Permalink
Got links for places expats can sign up for this insurance augmentation? It’d be super-helpful to readers. I’d even add it to the community page.
02/11/2009 at 9:57 pm Permalink
I was debating posting a little something about this, but since it’s already here, I think that’s enough.
The concerns about donating are fair, and people are right to question why somebody can’t raise 3,000,000 won on their own, or with the help of their friends, without turning to an online campaign. I bought a new pair of glasses this summer and I did it without starting a Facebook group.
Sorry for the link back to me, but I posted a little on this in September. At the time the two concerns were:
(1) This is a scam because the messages are exceptionally vague, and
(2) Where are a guy’s friends that he’s left turning to anonymous donations to cover expenses that most people save in a couple months?
I’ve been in touch with a couple people from ATEK, so I’m no longer concerned this is a scam. People who want to help out a little, should feel safe helping out a little. Those who don’t, don’t have to, and should certainly feel free to raise whatever objections they have (without being cruel).
03/11/2009 at 1:50 pm Permalink
As for the private health insurance that can be bought, a lot of times there are salesmen from those companies that come into our teachers office and hawk their wares. If you are a public school teacher just pay attaintion to when those people show up. Health insurance is:
Gun Gang Bohum (Gang is pronounced with an ah sound) In Korean that is 건강보험. Or just ask a Korean person to help you if you want to buy it. The national plan doesn’t cover stuff like cancer or heart attacks. Another deduction that public schools take out is unemployment insurance. So if you loose your job you can still collect some money.
I’m sorry to hear about this guy.