'The "Invisible 1.5 Billion"... Six Years of Anonymous Donations in Nonsan'

Donates 273 Million Won This Year
Provides One-Year Living Support
for 156 Vulnerable Children’s Households

An anonymous donor has once again visited Nonsan. For six consecutive years, a citizen who has never revealed their name or face has been donating large sums to protect the most vulnerable neighbors in the community. This year alone, the donation amounts to 273 million won, bringing the total cumulative donations close to 1.5 billion won.

According to Nonsan City in South Chungcheong Province on January 14, the "anonymous angel donor" has continued their acts of giving every single year since making the first donation in 2020, without missing a year.

The amount donated this year is 273 million won, and the total cumulative donations delivered to Nonsan now reach 1,494.65 million won. Such a large-scale, long-term individual donation is rare even nationwide, especially in a small to mid-sized local city.

During the donation process, the donor expressed their wish to "help children in difficult circumstances not lose sight of their potential, even in a rapidly changing society."

Email Sent by an Anonymous Donor to Nonsan City

In particular, the donor referenced "Ubuntu," the African communal philosophy meaning "I am because we are," emphasizing that individual happiness can only be realized within the well-being of the community.

In line with the donor's wishes, the city previously provided support only to households just above the poverty line with children under 18. However, this year, the program has been expanded to include families receiving educational assistance, bringing the total number of beneficiary households to 156.

The support period has also been extended from the previous five months to 12 months, allowing vulnerable children’s households to maintain stable lives throughout the entire year.

The donations will be distributed through the Chungnam Community Chest of Korea starting January 23. The amount for each household will be determined based on factors such as single-parent status and the number of children, and selected families will receive support on the same day each month for 12 months.

Mayor Baek Seonghyeon stated, "The Ubuntu spirit emphasized by the anonymous donor is the value our society needs most right now," adding, "The city will continue to look after our neighbors more closely and maintain responsible welfare administration to ensure that no one is left behind."