The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation, which has been making efforts for global welfare activities, held the 17th New Life Family Walkathon. On April 24, 2016, the event was held at Haneul Square in Seoul Olympic Park, to support underprivileged households in Korea, climate refugees around the world, and earthquake victims in Ecuador. Being sponsored by Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul Metropolitan City, Gyeonggi Province, Korea Child Abuse Prevention Association, and Sejong General Hospital, the event was attended by Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, WeLoveU officials, President of Korea Child Abuse Prevention Association Lee Bae-geun, and diplomats to Korea from twenty countries such as the ambassadors from Ecuador, Bangladesh, Spain, and Gabon. Over 13,000 members and people joined together to walk and help neighbors around the world.
New Life Family Walkathon, a Global Welfare Activity
The WeLoveU’s global welfare activities transcends race, culture, and border to create a happy society for all people. The New Life Family Walkathon, which marks its 17th anniversary, is held every year as a part of the WeLoveU’s global welfare activities to support neighbors in need both domestically and abroad.
Prior to the start of the walkathon, Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah expressed her gratitude to the sponsoring organizations and participants for supporting the global welfare activities. She also introduced the slogan, “Hope to 7 Billion People With a Smile and a Loving Heart,” hoping that the event would encourage the neighbors who were lonely and in difficulties.
Walking Beside Neighbors in Need Through Global Welfare Activities
“The loneliness of having to endure a short life and a hard life alone is a great misfortune. However, if there is a companion who cares for you and cheers you on in your difficult life, what a great comfort and hope would it be? Today, we have become companions who encourage and support the refugees of climate disaster and earthquakes, and underprivileged families. Please remember that each and every step we take today contains the deep meaning that we will walk beside those who are living in loneliness.” Honorary Chairwoman of the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation Zahng Gil-jah
On this day, donations were conveyed to earthquake victims in Ecuador, climate refugees in six countries including Gabon, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, as well as to the underprivileged families in Korea. H.E. Oscar Herrera Gilbert the Ambassador of Ecuador to Korea and H.E. Zulfiqur Rahman the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Korea both expressed their gratitude to the WeLoveU for helping their countries through global welfare activities.
Time to Be a Companion to Neighbors Around the World
After shouting the slogan, “Hope to 7 Billion People With a Smile and a Loving Heart,” the members started walking from Haneul Square. They walked along the promenade, going through the sections for sharing family love, such as “Expressing Family Love,” “Laughing Out Loud,” and “Exciting Dance Moves,” which were prepared throughout along the way. After the walkathon, the participants gathered with their family, ate lunch, and had a harmonious time. They also visited the face painting booth and the photo zone set up as side events, and made joyful memories for years to come.
On one side of the event site, a special photo exhibition introduced the seriousness of climate disasters along with the WeLoveU’s activities, and this caught the attention of the participants. Members who carefully examined the photo exhibition said that they were grateful that they could help neighbors in need in the global village simply by participating in the walkathon together with their families. Gwon Mi-ja (from Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul) said, “I was startled to learn how serious climate disasters are throughout the world, although our country (Korea) has not been greatly affected by them. I hope that the people who suffer from climate disasters will remember that many people are helping and cheering them on with all their heart.”
Diplomatic envoys in Korea expressed amazement and gratitude that the annual walkathon is expanding its scale and scope of help. H.E. Oscar Herrera Gilbert the Ambassador of Ecuador to Korea said, “It was a well-organized event. I believe Koreans’ warm-heartedness will be passed on to the local victims, and our embassy will do our best to convey your sincerity to them.” By becoming a companion to neighbors in need, the WeLoveU will open a hopeful future together through its constant global welfare activities.
