Product Details

Origin and History The Program: These items were part of a charitable outreach established by Father Al Schwartz (also known as Fr. Aloysius Schwartz) in post-war Korea, specifically starting in the late 1950s in Pusan. Purpose: Known colloquially as "Operation Hanky," the program provided employment for over 3,000 Korean women living in poverty. They hand-embroidered these linens, which were then sent to donors in the United States and elsewhere to raise funds for orphanages, hospitals, and schools. Common Designs: While your piece features a geometric blue pattern, other popular designs from this series often depict traditional Korean figures, such as two girls playing on a teeter-totter (neolttwigi).