To close out the year 2025, SAMBA-CORÉE sought to spread a spirit of celebration and cohesion by launching a meaningful initiative: the organization of decentralized Christmas dinners. Following this call, three geographic zones responded enthusiastically to bring the project to life : Seoul, Cheonan, and Daegu. Although the idea was initiated by the association, it was the members of the Gabonese community in these three regions who fully embraced the proposal and ensured its complete organization, offering each participant a true “Christmas away from home.”
The ambition behind this initiative was to encourage self-organization and strengthen bonds of solidarity while adapting to the geographical realities of members living across Korea. By seeing Seoul, Cheonan, and Daegu mobilize as gathering hubs, the association ensured that as many people as possible could celebrate together without excessive travel constraints. Local residents took ownership of the project, recreating the warm and caring family atmosphere that is essential for the moral well-being of an expatriate community during the holiday season. The event provided an authentic and communal setting to celebrate the achievements of the year.
The festivities across the three responding zones demonstrated an impressive capacity for mobilization. In Daegu, the evening was beautifully hosted and coordinated by Kelly and Axel, who orchestrated an unforgettable celebration. The program featured delicious meals, lively music, a traditional gift exchange, and meaningful moments of sharing. The games were a highlight of the evening, with a memorable round of Loup-Garou that left participants laughing and fully immersed in the festive spirit. In Cheonan and Seoul, the local members created equally joyful and vibrant gatherings, marked by shared meals, songs, and heartfelt exchanges that reflected the unity of the community.
The impact of this initiative is especially significant because it was rooted in a successful participatory approach. The strong response from Seoul, Cheonan, and Daegu demonstrates the maturity and cohesion of the community, capable of organizing itself autonomously around a shared vision. From an image standpoint, this success illustrates an association that acts as a catalyst for collective energy on a national scale. The achievements of these three self-managed hubs strengthened the sense of belonging to one united family, capable of mobilizing effectively across the territory.
Through this decentralized Christmas initiative, SAMBA-CORÉE once again confirmed that distance is no barrier to unity. Whether in Seoul, Cheonan, or Daegu, the spirit of togetherness prevailed, closing the year on a note of warmth, solidarity, and shared joy.