Finding Dreams: Donna's Story
Donna felt like her life was wasting away in North Korea. After her uncle was publicly executed for selling electric wires to feed his family, she couldn’t advance in society and was constantly subjected to government inspections.
In pursuit of a free life, she escaped North Korea with her daughter and resettled in the United States.
“It still feels unreal to be treated like a human being in America, and I want to thank everyone who helped me live such a happy life in this great country.”
She’s gone on to start her own business running a sushi kiosk in a university cafeteria. She's done so well at running her business that she’ll soon relocate her kiosk to a more profitable area and begin hiring employees to work for her.
Donna’s daughter, Isabel, is doing wonderfully in school and can already speak fluent English. She enjoys drawing and making crafts. She’s also very fashionable and loves to pick out her own clothes.
In the next five years, she wants to buy a house and hopes to eventually help North Korean defectors.
“Thanks to LiNK, I was saved. And my life, which had once been withering away with no hopes or dreams, now has new buds sprouting with new dreams and a future, and I’m so thankful for that.”
Read about Donna in Marie Claire.
Learn more about Donna's escape from North Korea and help more North Korean refugees reach freedom today.
North Korean Advocacy Fellows: Meet the Class of 2024!
Meet Bella, Lily, and Grace, LiNK’s 2024 Advocacy Fellows! Over three months, they’ll be working closely with us in the US and sharing their stories in cities across the country. Join us at a Fellows speaking event near you!
New Haven, Connecticut
April 22nd, 1:30 pm
Yale University - Whitney Humanities Center Auditorium
53 Wall St, New Haven, CT 06511
No RSVP required
Cambridge, MA
April 24th, 6:30 pm
B-L01 Town Weil Hall, Belfer Building79 JFK St.,
Cambridge, MA 02138
Atlanta, Georgia
April 28th, 8 pm
Emory University - Emory Student Center MPR 4,5,6
605 Asbury Cir, Atlanta, GA 30322
Dallas, Texas
April 29th, 5:30 pm
Southern Methodist University
The Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom
3300 Dyer Street Dallas, TX 75205
San Francisco, CA
May 5th, Optional Lunch 1:00pm | Event Start 1:45pm
True North Church
655 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94306
New York City, NY
May 15th, 6pm
Exilic
240 West 37th Street, 2nd Floor, New York NY 10018
Washington DC
May 28th, 6:30 pm
Private Home - Address sent after RSVP
Sorry, we've reached capacity for this event!
Los Angeles, CA
June 6th, 6:30 pm
UCLA - Bruin Viewpoint Room
308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024
**Parking costs will be reimbursed by the UCLA LiNK Team with a valid receipt.
Not based in one of these cities? No worries! Meet the Fellows virtually on June 12, 2024 at 4pm PT for their Graduation Event. RSVP here to hear their stories and participate in a live Q&A.