The House of Sharing

Pan Onglyeon Halmoni
Yi Okseon Halmoni




" WE MUST RECORD THESE THINGS THAT WERE FORCED UPON US".- Kim Hak Soon Halmoni

I had a unique opportunity this past weekend to visit The House of Sharing. The House of Sharing is both a museum and home to former "Comfort Women" - victims of sexual slavery at the hands of the Japanese military during World War II. The museum explained in grave detail what these women went through-absolutely horrific. These women (known as Halmoni-resepctful Korean term for grandmother) are women with a story. Being taken out of their homes between the age of 13-17, these women were forced into brothels all around Asia to "comfort" the men part of the Japanese military. These women had to service between 20-40 men a day. This went on for 3 years while the Japanese were trying to occupy different territories. These women lived in "stations" (which were areas that the Japanese military had occupied) and serviced the men in those areas. When the war ended many of the women did not know where they were, which language to speak or knew how to get home. Many of the women tried to form a life in the area where they were and fell into prostitution because that was all that they knew (being taken out of the home at such an early age). As of today, it is estimated that around 200,000 women were involved and about 250 women have come forth claiming that they were a victim. The Japanese government, to this day, denies that they had any involvement in trafficking women. Some of the victims that are still living and have spoken out have started demonstration and stand outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul every Wednesday. This started on January 8,1992 and people have joined amongst the victims to help have their voice heard.
The House of Sharing is also a place where currently 9 of the grandmothers live. They have learned to express their feelings in painting and gardening and love being aorund one another.

It was a fruitful time for me to go and expereince this. I am truly grateful for the many blessings in my life and can only pray that justice will be brought to those that comitted these awful things.

The website is www.houseofsharing.org
Plese refer to http://www.houseofsharing.org/meet.aspx to read the stories about the two ladies whose pictures are above!
It is incredible what has happened to these women and to know that they are now smiling amongst what happened!