On June 12, 2005, the New Life Welfare Foundation, which has been taking the lead in improving child well-being, held the 7th New Life Family Walkathon in Incheon. More than 15,000 members gathered at Grand Park, Incheon. Many guests, including Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah and Chief of Woman’s Welfare and Health Council at Incheon Metropolitan Government Jang Bu-yeon attended the event to help children with heart disease and child and adolescent-headed families. Incheon Metropolitan Government, Incheon Ilbo, Gyeongin Ilbo, and Incheon City Medical Association contributed to the actualization of child well-being through sponsorship.
The Path Taken for Child Well-Being
The New Life Welfare Foundation’s efforts for child well-being began in the 1990s by providing educational expenses to child and adolescent-headed families. In 2000, at the first New Life Concert, the Foundation delivered the proceeds to children suffering from congenital heart disease. Since 2002, the Foundation has been helping children suffering from diseases and poverty by holding the New Life Family Walkathon every year.
The New Life Family Walkathon, the event to give hope and love to children, reached Incheon after being held in the cities such as Seoul, Gwangju, and Daegu. This walkathon was hosted by the Foundation members living in Incheon City and Gyeonggi Province, who had been waiting for this meaningful event to be held in Incheon. The slogan for this year was “For You, For Me, For Us.” The meaning was to look back on neighbors in need and to share their joy and pain.
“Love for You and Me, and Us”
“The slogan, ‘For You, For Me, For Us,’ shows that we should be considerate of neighbors first. It means that what is done for you is for me, and that is ultimately for us.”Chairwoman of the New Life Welfare Foundation Zahng Gil-jah
The 7th Walkathon consisted of two parts: the first part—donation delivery ceremony, and the second part—walkathon. At the first part held at the outdoor concert hall, Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah reminded participants of how precious it is to live a life for helping neighbors, citing the slogan of the walkathon. She also delivered a message of encouragement to the beneficiaries, saying, “When you feel tired from life weighing down on you, the New Life Welfare Foundation members will reach out their loving hands and hold your hands, so have hope and pluck up your courage.”
Chief Jang Bu-yeon of Woman’s Welfare and Health Council, who came on behalf of Mayor Ahn Sang-soo of Incheon City, expressed her gratitude to the New Life Welfare Foundation for organizing an event to help children in Incheon city through her congratulatory speech. Vice-Chairwoman Shin Yeong-eun of Incheon Metropolitan City Council, and other distinguished guests also praised the Foundation members for working so hard on child well-being, and hoped that this walkathon would lay the foundation for a healthy well-being society.
Whatever Is Done With Family Is Double the Reward
Following congratulatory messages, the donations made by the members’ devotion for the fulfillment of child well-being were conveyed to the beneficiaries. Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah presented the donations to the children with heart disease and rare disease, and 19 child and adolescent-headed families as well. Chairwoman Zahng gave heartfelt encouragement and comfort to the beneficiaries who were living with heartbreaking back stories due to the pain of illness and difficulties in life. The Foundation members cheered on and applauded the beneficiaries, wishing them health and a bright future.
The second part, the walkathon, consisted of a 1.5 km [1 mile] course starting from the outdoor concert hall, going around the sculpture park and the lake, and back to the starting point. At each section, events such as “Limbo With Your Family” and “Walk On the Soap Bubble Road” were prepared, giving the participants a good laugh. Chairman Kwon Yong-oh of Incheon Medical Association emphasized the necessity of the walkathon, saying, “Walking is the best exercise, and if you walk with your loving family, you can’t even mention its value.”
The citizens who came to the park on the weekend showed great interest in the event. For the members who completed the walking course, the Korea Coast Guard Orchestra gave a cheerful performance at the outdoor concert hall. Various side events such as an International Voluntary Service Association of University Students [DAEJAYON]’s performance and face painting were also prepared. The members said that it was rewarding to come to the park where they usually came with their own family, for something as good as supporting child well-being. It was a meaningful day to put into practice beautiful love to think of “you and me and all of us.”
