Charity group celebrates int'l family day

More than 6,000 participants of the 20th New Life Family Walkathon are working together to help the vulnerable around the world./ Courtesy of International WeLoveU Foundation

By Han Myung-duk

The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation held its 20th New Life Family Walkathon on May 6 in celebration of the International Day of Families on May 15 established by the United Nations. This walkathon was conducted along with the “Save the World” Vision Proclamation at the Peace Square of the Seoul Olympic Park, being attended by 6,000 people from the capital regions. Through this year's walkathon, the WeLoveU help 135 domestic underprivileged families and multicultural families, 4 homes for child abuse victims, and victims of the forest fire that recently took place in Gangwondo Province, Korea; and it helps vulnerable social groups such victims, refugees, and women in 11 countries, including Mozambique, Zambia, Laos, Bangladesh, Jordan, and Iraq.

Through the “Save the World” Vision Proclamation, the WeLoveU encouraged people from all walks of life to participate in it. The “Save the World” Movement contains a vision to make the earth healthy and to create a hopeful future for mankind with the heart of Mother who regards everyone in the global village as family. The aim of this movement is to save the earth from crises caused by disasters, environmental pollution and diseases, by carrying out the campaigns―Saving the Earth, Saving Lives, and Saving Humanity―at the individual, regional, national, and global levels. The vision proclamation ceremony is an event to announce the start of the movement. Through this opportunity, the WeLoveU plans to accelerate its efforts to carry out humanitarian activities for people all around the world, as an NGO associated with the UN Department of Global Communication [DGC]―former Department of Public Information [DPI]. The walkathon spreads globally. It is also held in the United States, Philippines, Peru, Nepal, Brazil, etc. As part of the “Saving the Earth” Movement, the WeLoveU conducts the campaigns―NO Waste, Plastic FREE, and Carbon ZERO.

On the substitute holiday of Children's Day in May, Family Month, the World Cup Park was crowded with yellow flowers. Those who smile brightly, wearing yellow shirts all over the park, are the 20th New Life Family Walkathon participants. They came by threes or fives with their families, friends, and acquaintances, and prepared themselves from early in the morning to use public transportation. It was to participate in the campaign to reduce carbon dioxide, which is the major cause of greenhouse gas along with the “Carbon Zero” campaign. They also brought lunch boxes, personal water bottles, and handkerchiefs to actively participate in reducing disposables and trash.

The WeLoveU's humanitarian activities become a great help particularly to the countries in need such as Bangladesh which has many climate refugees because a majority of the land is lower than the sea level, Jordan where many Syrian refugees suffering from civil war are flowing into, and Cote d'Ivoire the homeland of the world-famous football player Didier Drogba, which was caught in a whirlpool of civil war. The ambassadors and diplomats from about 20 countries made sure to give thanks to the WeLoveU for its support in their countries.

Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah of the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation expressed her gratitude to the guests and the audience at the opening address, saying, “I am glad to hold a walkathon, greeting the World Family Day. Family is the source and the spring that provides happiness energy as the smallest organization and unit that fulfills human history. Although we are different in color, race, culture, and lifestyle, we are a family of the global village only by the word of human. Let us send a cheerful support and encouragement to the global villagers who are waiting for our help in difficult circumstances. Let us help each other, love each other, and strive for world peace.”

Next, ambassadors of each country delivered their congratulatory messages. H.E. Hayder Shiya AL-Barrak, Ambassador of Iraq to Korea, who came to Korea two years ago and attended this walkathon for the first time, said, “The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation delivered hope to Iraqi people, including children and vulnerable people who suffered civil war and were in despair. The Iraqi people will never forget your help like a mom's touch. Your love today will be a message of hope not only to those who are suffering in difficulties but also to seven billion people around the world.” H.E. Sylvestre Kouassi Vile, Ambassador?of Cote d'Ivoire to Korea said, “I'd like to express my sincere appreciation for the welfare activities and humanitarian aids of the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation in Cote d'Ivoire and Africa. We will fully support the activities you are carrying out in our country.”

Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who congratulated the walkathon through a congratulatory telegram, said, “I give encouragement and cheer to the WeLoveU, who helps people with a mother's love everywhere around the world. I also hope that you will be a model for reducing fine dust as a global NGO.” Mr. Ban is currently the President of the National Climate Council for solving the problem of fine dust, directly responsible to the President. In addition, Jeff Brez, Chief of the UN DGC too sent his congratulatory message.

After the congratulatory messages, “Save the World” vision proclamation ceremony started. After the proclamation was recited, the guests had the ceremony of signing on a large globe-shaped ad balloon in support. While over 6,000 participants were watching, the ad balloon with the vision declaration on flew up to the sky. Then, they all burst out cheers and applause. The “Save the World” vision attracted people's attention everywhere around the venue, contributing to raising the awareness of the local residents as well as the participants.

The walkathon began with the chairwoman's signal to start. The square was packed with people striding forward. Soon, the walking trail of Peace Park was filled with yellow waves. In the meantime, the participants including families, friends, and neighbors followed the walkathon course with bright smiles. In various places of the square, fathers made beautiful memories with their children by doing dance routines in a variety of poses in photo zone areas; senior parents and their sons and daughters, including sons-In-law and daughters-In-law, exchanged words of appreciation and gratitude toward one another. Those with friends took many photos together to cherish the beautiful moments. Shouts and laughter by the participants and their children were as bright as the spring sunlight shining through the leaves.

Charge d'Affaires?Luis?Pablo?Ossio?Bustillos of?Bolivia finished the walkathon course, and said that he attended the walkathon with his wife after finding out that it was an act of saving the world. He added that it was a very special and meaningful event and that he wanted to cooperate with the WeLoveU to help the neighbors around. Park Hyo-jeong (22 year old from Gwanak, Seoul) said, "I thought it would be easy to reduce the usage of disposables by simply not using them, but it wasn't. I should start making efforts to cut down on the usage of disposables, not only for human beings but for other living creatures as well." Lee Woog-shik (49 year old from Youngdeungpo) said, "Through this walkathon, I've realized that the environment is an asset borrowed from the future; I have been unaware of it. Amazingly, the walkathon is held not only in Korea but in other countries, too. I believe that Save the World movement can be accelerated and improved the earth conditions if all the countries cooperate."

Another highlight of the event was Walk to the World corner, held as an additional event. With the support of the ambassadors from various countries, the participants could experience a variety of cultures, handicrafts, and traditional food from countries such as Korea, Fiji, Jordan, Iraq, Cambodia, Cote d'Ivoire, Bangladesh, and Laos. Many people waited in long queues in front of each country's booth to experience each culture, including Korean booth where participants could try Bbopgi, Tuho, and Korean traditional costume, which made the event alive and enjoyable.

The work of WeLoveU resembles the touch of a mother who cares for the health and well-being of her family. A total of 218,000 people have participated in the walkathon that has been held steadily since 2002, and the total distance that they have walked equals 13 times of circumference of the earth. Through these efforts, they have helped the world's refugees and disaster victims, provided living or medical expenses to the vulnerable, installed or donated 50 water pumps and water tanks in water-scarce countries, and built libraries and gymnasiums and provided educational materials for 38 schools with poor educational environments. Last year, too, they conducted relief and recovery efforts for dam collapse victims in Laos and flood victims in India and Japan, donated solar lanterns to a vocational school in Haiti where electricity was lacking, and helped improve the educational environment of Gabon and Myanmar. Also, they hold character education to help build up the right values of youths, and blood drives every year.

Particularly, last year, the WeLoveU held the Save the World Global Forum, attended the 67th UN DPI/NGO Conference, gave a speech at the World Leaders' Conservation Forum, and held meetings with Ambassadors to Korea for global welfare cooperation and establishment of global networks. The WeLoveU also appointed students around the world as WeLoveU Environmental Leaders to raise environmental awareness, and the university students from the WeLoveU gave presentation with the theme of tolerance at the “International Day of Tolerance” held by the UN. At these efforts of the WeLoveU, many countries signed MOUs with the members and made support signatures, and honored them with prestigious awards such as the Order of Merit from the Korean Government, the U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award (Highest honor for groups; 4 times), the Order of Merit from the King of Cambodia, and the silver award of the Green Apple Awards for environmental best practices.