The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation (Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah), which conveys hope to neighbors in the global village, has reached its 13th New Life Family Walkathon. On May 22, 2011, the 13th walkathon was hosted in >Manseok Park, Suwon, Korea by the WeLoveU and sponsored by Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Suwon City, and Sejong General Hospital. Over 6,500 people participated in this meaningful event: Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, the directors, Sponsor Chairman Lee Soon-jae from the WeLoveU, Vice Mayor of Suwon City Ye Chang-geun, local government officials, WeLoveU members, residents, and embassy officials in Korea whose countries had received the water pumps.
Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah: “We Wish Even the Hearts of Our Neighbors in the Global Village to Be Healthy”
Before the walkathon began, an anniversary ceremony was held at the outdoor music hall in the park. In the opening speech, Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah said, “Today, each step with your family will give great strength to the neighbors who are in despair due to natural disasters.” She hoped that walking together would enable participants to talk with an open mind and, instead of competing against each other, get along with one another. She also hoped that through this walkathon everyone would continue to look after their family members and neighbors to ensure they have a healthy body and mind.
Afterwards, the donations for the water pumps were presented. Through this walkathon, the WeLoveU provided facilities for groundwater development and water pumps to four countries suffering from water scarcity—Cambodia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal. The donations of 12 million KRW (10,000 USD) for 24 low-income families in Suwon City and 3.4 million yen (30,780 USD) for earthquake survivors in Japan were also presented.
After trying out a water pump with Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, H.E. Margaret Clarke-Kwesie the Ambassador of Ghana to Korea expressed her thanks, saying, “Water pumps enabled many children and citizens in Ghana to drink clean water and live healthy. Your donation of the water pumps is no different from giving life.” The guests and the members wished for their love to spread all across the world.
Steps of Love With Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah and 6,500 Participants
After Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, guests, and members were all seated, the celebratory events began. The New Life Children’s Choir performed Taekwondo and a dance which captivated the audience. The foreign families in Korea who participated in the walkathon sang the song, “You Raise Me Up.” Singers Kim Seong-hwan, Baek Mi-hyeon, and Kim Jae-hun, including the WeLoveU PR Ambassador Lee Seung-hoon who composed the song “We Love You,” sang for the hopeful future of neighbors around the world.
After the ceremony, Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah and the participants walked along the 1.3 km [0.8 mile] course around the lake. At each section of the walkathon, fun games for families such as “Burst Bubbles” and “Wink at Mom and Dad” entertained the families. Side events were also prepared at the event venue: face painting enjoyed by the family, hand-washing with 30 g [1oz] of water, water-saving quiz, and a photo exhibition displaying the damage caused by an earthquake in Japan, and many more. The members viewed the photo exhibition, wrote messages of encouragement to the survivors in Japan, and learned about the importance of water through various simulation booths.
The Family Walkathon Passing the Sharing of Love Down to Future Generations
“I’ve never seen this kind of global-scale event in these days. I’m grateful to all of you for helping underprivileged neighbors in Suwon City, and I think this will be an opportunity to make the citizens realize the value of volunteering and sharing.” Vice Mayor of Suwon City Ye Chang-geun
As the vice mayor said, this walkathon reminded us of how important it is to volunteer and share with our neighbors in the global village. The procession of the members in yellow T-shirts created the shape of a yellow heart along the lake while taking commemorative photographs. The heart shape was a message of love for the neighbors around the world. A member who participated with her three-year-old daughter said, “I think the role of parents is to teach their children how to share with others. In this sense, the walkathon is much more meaningful because we provided the bond of connection to our children who can pass the sharing of love down to their future generations when they grow up.”
The steps you have taken can be the first step toward hope for someone. The “Steps of Love” of the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation will not stop until sharing love with neighbors spreads to the whole world and opens the way to a future full of hope.
