RMHC House serving as a haven for children with severe illness and their families

▲ Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Korea / Secretary General Gyeongmi Bu

The Ronald Mcdonald House Charities (RMHC) is a global non-profit organization run by McDonald’s. It has 68 offices in the world including South Korea. The RMHC Korea is actively engaged in helping and supporting children with severe illness and their families. 

September 2019, McDonald’s opened the first RMHC House in Pusan National University Children’s Hospital. In the house, children suffering from tumor and their families take a rest and share their pains and stories. The RMHC House plans to open 5 more houses nationwide within this year. 

“The purpose of the RMHC House is to provide a healing space for child patients and their families. I feel happy about the overall ambience of the house as visitors also seem to have the same feeling like me” says Gyeongmi Bu, Secretary General of the RMHC Korea.

“When a child is ill, the pain parents feel must be greater than the child. Although the physical treatment is carried out by doctors, they cannot wholly provide mental or psychological support alongside. So the house is designed to function as a mental and psychological resting area for child patients and their families.” 

Apart from the house project, the RMHC Korea is organizing an essay contest for children. Some of the essays children wrote often touch their parents for they are as matured as adults. Alongside the easy contest, the RMHC Korea also organizes concerts on a regular basis to make children happy.

“When you buy a Happy Meal at McDonald’s, 5 cents go to the RMHC. And the donation then goes to children in need. The more charities like the RMHC in the world, the better a world we can create together.”

More than 16 items of the RMHC is being sold at GS25 convenient stores at the moment and part of the profits go to the RMHC. Dongwon F&B, Lotte Chilsung, Lotte Confectionery, Lotte Food, LG Household & Health Care, Korea Yakult, Aekyung, Future Life and Haitai are also participating in the program. 

Bu was born to a doctor family who valued treatment of patients more than the business side. Touched by this, Bu decided to be a person who helps people in need. Bu completed a MBA course at Yale University and made firm of his dream to run a company in which the society is the major shareholder. 

“Serving as Secretary General of the RMHC Korea already made my dream come true. For now, it is my goal to build 5 RMHC Houses in South Korea and I’m determined to make it happen within the year.”