On April 25, 2004, the New Life Family Walkathon was held in Namsan, Seoul, to raise funds to help children with heart disease. In particular, this year’s walkathon had the slogan “Children First!” proclaiming that all children have the right to be protected first in the areas of food, clothing, housing, medical care, education, and environment.
A New Life to Children Suffering From Heart Disease
In order to bring a new life to children suffering from heart disease at home and abroad and to stir up public awareness on the protection of children’s rights, the New Life Welfare Foundation (currently, the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation) and the Korea Children Protection Foundation, a social welfare corporation, have co-hosted the New Life Family Walkathon since 2002.
This walkathon was sponsored by the Commission on Youth Protection, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Volvo Cars Korea, ABL Life, Sejong General Hospital, and many others, and more than 6,500 people took part in this event.
At 11 a.m., the first part, a brief opening ceremony, was presided by TV announcer Park Jeong-suk, and then the second part, the walkathon, began in earnest. At the forefront of the procession were Chairwoman of the New Life Welfare Foundation Zahng Gil-jah, President of the Korea Children Protection Foundation Lee Bae-geun, Talent and Sponsor Chairwoman of the Korea Children Protection Foundation Kim Chang-suk, and Chairwoman of the Commission on Youth Protection Lim Sun-hee.
6,500 Participants Urge Interest in Children Suffering From Heart Disease
The walkathon participants walked the course along the Namsan North Ring Road that went from the entrance of the National Theater of Korea to Baekbeom Plaza. The weather was sunny with cool winds while the members had smiles on their faces, walking with their families in groups of twos and threes. Various events—walking barefoot, blowing up a balloon then popping it, ringing the bell of love, colored-finger stamping, and many more—were prepared along the walkathon course.
By participating in the walkathon, members were able to further strengthen their love for their family and once again think about their neighbors in need. One member, Yu Mi-hwa (from Myeonmok-dong, Seoul) said, “It’s also very good educationally to explain this walkathon’s purpose of helping children with heart disease to my child.” The children wished that the sick friends would get better soon and be able to walk together.
A child (2 years old), who became healthy after her heart surgery thanks to the donation that was raised through the last walkathon, joined the walkathon on her mother’s back. Her mother, grateful for the help, said, “I hope my child will grow up to be a person who can help others who are less fortunate and in need.”
At the finish line in Baekbeom Plaza, the USFK military band encouraged the participants with a performance. After finishing the walkathon, the members enjoyed lunch, which they packed and brought themselves, with their families. In line with the slogan, “Children First,” beverages and face painting for the children were provided free of charge throughout the plaza, and traditional Korean games such as tuho, jegi-chagi, rubber band play, along with many others were also prepared.
Wishing the Children With Heart Disease to Be Healthy
The third part, the celebration performances, started at 1:30 p.m. and introduced the stories of the children (from Korea and overseas) with heart disease who received sponsorship from the New Life Welfare Foundation and the Korea Children Protection Foundation. The participating families applauded the Korean child who underwent heart disease surgery last year and gained her heath back, and the Vietnamese children (7 years old and 14 years old) who came to Korea and are about to undergo surgery.
“There are always neighbors in need around us, and God has given us the opportunity to share love with them. Although this is the age of harsh materialism, if you take care of your neighbors in need and help children first, then starting with you, one person, the world will change. Just like the saying, ‘People are more beautiful than flowers,’ you who think of your neighbors in difficulty, are more beautiful than flowers.” Chairwoman of the New Life Welfare Foundation Zahng Gil-jah
Around 3 p.m., the participants who enjoyed the congratulatory performances of the children and youth groups such as the New Life Children’s Choir, Youth Nanta, Children Song Dream, Vimu Performing Arts Corps, and others, cleaned up the area they had been occupying and left for home one by one, holding each other’s hands. A procession of people, who are more beautiful than flowers, and who know how to love their family and neighbors, left a deep imprint on one another’s hearts.