School in South Sudan to Be Named After Kim Yu-na

Published on 2012/06/04 | Source

Figure skating champion Kim Yu-na has pledged a donation to a Catholic institute to open a school in South Sudan.

"Kim Yu-na visited the Seoul office of the Salesians of Don Bosco on Saturday afternoon and donated the W70 million needed to open a school in South Sudan", the institute said on Sunday (US$1=W1,179).

Kim met Father Vincentius Donatti (84) and Brother Giacomo Comino (73), who aim to build 100 schools in South Sudan. "I had a chance to visit Togo a year ago as part of efforts to win support for Korea's bid for the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and I felt the need to help out children there", Kim told the clergymen. "I want to offer what little support I can", she added.

Donatti said one of the schools to be built in South Sudan will be named after Kim and asked the athlete to come visit the school after it is completed.

Donatti, who is famous for composing many Korean religious hymns, came to Korea in 1964 and has devoted himself to taking care of children -- both here and in Sudan -- for about two decades. Comino has also worked in Korea for 20 years and another 20 years in Sudan.