Footsteps to Deliver Hope and Courage to Socially Vulnerable Groups in Korea and Overseas

The 16th New Life Family Walkathon

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The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation, which has been helping socially vulnerable groups through various volunteer services, has taken steps forward to be of assistance once again. On April 26, more than 10,000 members of the WeLoveU Foundation and their families gathered together at the Seoul Olympic Park to share love with their neighbors. The 16th New Life Family Walkathon was attended by Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, WeLoveU Chief Director Lee Kang-min, President of Korea Child Abuse Prevention Association Lee Bae-geun, and the Ambassador of Tunisia and the Ambassador of Iran. Also, in attendance were diplomatic representatives from the embassies of Senegal, Colombia, Romania, Cambodia, and Fiji, and their family members, which was a total of 30 people.

Hope and Courage to Socially Vulnerable Groups

Socially vulnerable groups indicate those who need more protection than any other groups. In particular, social interest is urgently needed for neighbors suffering from financial hardship, family breakdown, diseases, etc. The WeLoveU is helping socially vulnerable groups through various well-being activities for children, the elderly, and disabled people, and improvement of residential environment, and much more.

The 16th New Life Family Walkathon was established to help underprivileged households and multicultural families among socially vulnerable groups. At 10:30 a.m., the lively performance of the New Life Children’s Choir signaled the start of the event. The traditional honor guard military band and the united tri-service honor guard of the Ministry of National Defense put on a sophisticated performance, and received a big round of applause from the audience. At the fund delivery ceremony that followed, Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-Jah expressed her wish that the walkathon would give hope and strength to multicultural families and underprivileged households to help them get back on their feet again. She also delivered the news about the earthquake in Nepal, which occurred the day before this event, and left a big resonance with her message to help neighbors not only in Korea but also in the global village, such as the Nepali earthquake victims.

A Joyful Time Spent to Help Socially Vulnerable Groups Together With Family

The funds raised on this day to help socially vulnerable groups will be delivered to 75 households in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province with the cooperation of government offices and related organizations such as Seoul City Hall and Seongnam City Hall. The main event, the walkathon, started with Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah’s declaration to begin walking. Members walked along the beautiful promenade with spring flowers in full bloom. At various parts throughout the course, events such as “Walking With Compliments” and “Shoulder Rubs for Each Other” were prepared, and the love of family blossomed together.

Participants said they were twice as happy because they were with their family at the event to help socially vulnerable groups. Kim Byeong-mu (from Gwanak-gu, Seoul) said, “I usually don’t have much time to talk with my children because everybody is busy with our own schedules. However, today we have at least four or five hours to spend time talking together, and we’re able to think of neighbors and help them too, It’s like filling two needs with one deed.” Seo Jun-won (from Seongnam-si), who has participated in the New Life Family Walkathon several times since he was young, said, “Through the walkathon, I was able to have many good memories with my family, and learned more about our neighbors in need in the global village.”

Foreign diplomatic delegations also had a great time. Tunisian Ambassador to Korea H.E. Mohamed Ali Nafti expressed his gratitude to the WeLoveU, for spreading hope and happiness to many people around the world, saying, “It is a great honor to be part of such a beautiful social and cultural international event.” Iranian Ambassador to Korea H.E. Hassan Taherian, who participated in the event with his wife and son, expressed his joy, saying, “It was a good program and beyond my expectations. It is impressive to see that you are helping neighbors in need while promoting family love. I’ve never seen an event like this before.” The First Secretary of the Colombian Embassy Andres Giraldo Pava said, “Many Korean families took part in this, and it feels like we’ve all become part of one family. Thank you to the WeLoveU for making this a precious and joyful day. I hope that our efforts today will also help many families suffering in Nepal.”

Taking Care of the Global Village As If Taking Care of Family

“So far, over 172,000 people have participated in the family walkathons. Through heart-warming steps, their love and generosity have conveyed hope and courage to our neighbors suffering from poverty and disease in the global village. An earthquake hit Nepal yesterday, causing many buildings to collapse and many lives to be lost. This time, we joined together to help multicultural families and underprivileged households, but let’s help Nepal as well! We have to take care of the things that happen in the global village. Let’s send our love to our Nepal family in the global village by carrying out the Help Nepal Movement.” Honorary Chairwoman of the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation Zahng Gil-jah

As Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah said, the WeLoveU has been taking care of the things that happen in the global village as if taking care of things that happen in a family through the walkathon. To provide practical help to socially vulnerable groups and to create a world where everyone is happy—this is the mission that the WeLoveU will fulfill, dreaming of a bright future for the earth and humankind.

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