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www.groovekorea.com / November 2014 88 P erched on the wall of Caitlin Gillespie’s classroom, just above the art supplies, hangs a small beaded doll. It’s no bigger than the size of a pinkie finger, but Gillespie knows how much meaning it holds. It is a Little Trav- eller, a handmade doll sent all the way from KwaZu- lu-Natal province in South Africa. It was crafted by a woman whose life has been affected by HIV/AIDS, and is a symbol of awareness, progress and hope. Hope is something KwaZulu-Natal is in dire need of. More than 40 percent of the population in the province has contracted HIV/AIDS, one of the highest rates in the world. The dolls are part of a larger project by the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust in South Africa to generate income and provide services for those affected by the disease. The center is in turn sup- ported by Little Travellers, an international organization with branches in Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, Australia and Korea. In the Korean capital, the cause is support- ed by a night of live music called Rubber Seoul that takes place at venues all over Hongdae. This year’s event is scheduled for Nov. 29, just two days before World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. Fans of music and charity are invited to come together to enjoy the show, and each person will go home with a gift of their very own doll. The best part? “One hundred percent of the profits go back to Little Trav- ellers, so it’s a direct impact,” Gillespie says. Last year’s event raised over $4,000. Women workers at the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust produce Little Traveller dolls like the one that hangs in Gillespie’s classroom. When the dolls are sold, the profits go back to the women and their families and support the center’s programs and services. The Korean branch of the organization holds community events, including a ph oto scavenger hunt, to raise money for the cause. This is Gillespie’s second year running the event, which is now in its seventh year. She took over when her predecessor, Jenny Maxwell, moved back to Canada. Gillespie was more than happy to take the reins: “When I met Jenny Maxwell, the previous organizer of Rubber Seoul, we immediately bonded over our common passions for music and charity,” Gillespie says. “When she asked me to take over Rubber Seoul, I was so excited, I immediately said yes.” Last year, Gillespie put a new spin on things by inviting more Korean bands to participate. “Last year I made quite a few changes with sponsors and bands,” Gillespie says. “This year I’m hoping to have a better balance of Korean bands and expat bands.” Gillespie also hopes to showcase a variety of musi- cal genres to appeal to every sort of music lover. MorE Info j Rubber Seoul When: Saturday, Nov. 29; show schedules will be announced closer to the event date Where: Gogos 2, Club FF, Club TA, DGBD and Club Bigbird in Hongdae How much: Tickets are 10,000 won and give access to all the venues More: DoIndie Korea, Groove Korea and AngloInfo Seoul are all providing support for Rubber Seoul through raffle donations, advertising and volunteer services Volunteer: If you are interested in volunteering for this event, email Caitlin Gillespie at gillespieeventspr@hotmail.com Website: facebook.com/little.t.korea Story and Photos by Corinne Eschenroeder DOLLs WiTh A DiffERENCE r u b b e r S e o u l r e t u r n s w i t h a n i g h t o f m u s i c a n d c h a r i t y Edited by Jenny Na (jenny@groovekorea.com) COMMuNITy